Page 9 of A Spinster’s Folly (Courting the Unconventional #2)

E ugenie lay beneath the canopy of her four-poster bed while her cat, Shadow, sat next to her.

A smile spread across her lips as excitement bubbled within her.

The monotony of her life—predictable, orderly, and shaped entirely by societal expectations—was finally giving way to something thrilling, something new.

She had always longed for intellectual pursuits, for a taste of something beyond the carefully curated existence expected of a young lady of her station.

And now, the possibility of attending lectures at Oxford dangled before her like the sweetest of temptations.

A giddy sound nearly escaped her lips, but before she could give in to the urge, a firm knock came at the door. It opened swiftly, revealing her lady’s maid. “Good morning, my lady,” she greeted.

“Good morning, Alice,” Eugenie responded brightly, sitting up in bed with a newfound energy. “Today is going to be the most wonderful of days.”

Alice arched a skeptical brow as she stepped closer. “Are you feeling unwell, my lady? ”

Eugenie let out a light laugh. “Not in the least. I am simply looking forward to what the day has in store.”

Still unconvinced, Alice pressed the back of her hand against Eugenie’s forehead. “You’re not feverish, but perhaps I should fetch the doctor just to be certain.”

Shaking her head, Eugenie batted Alice’s hand away playfully. “I assure you, I am in perfect health.”

Alice pursed her lips, considering her mistress with a narrowed gaze. “Are you bottle-weary, then?”

Eugenie laughed again, shaking her head. “I am not drunk either, if that is what you mean.” She threw the covers off and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet brushing the cold floor. “I am simply elated at the prospect of attending lectures at Oxford.”

Alice stepped towards the wardrobe and pulled out a pale green morning gown. “If you say so, my lady,” she said. “But before you get too lost in your scholarly ambitions, you should know that Lady Jane has come to call.”

Eugenie furrowed her brows. “Lady Jane? She is here to see me, not Elsbeth?”

Alice nodded as she laid the gown on the bed. “Yes, my lady. Shall we dress you?”

“Yes,” she replied. “I do not want to keep her waiting too long.”

A short time later, Eugenie was dressed, and her hair was carefully swept up into a neat chignon, a few delicate curls framing her face. Her pulse quickened as she made her way through the grand hallways of the house towards the drawing room, anticipation making her steps lighter than usual.

As she stepped into the room, she immediately spotted Lady Jane in the center, clad in an elegant pink gown that complemented her fair complexion.

Eugenie decided to make her presence known. “Good morning, Lady Jane,” she greeted warmly .

Lady Jane turned swiftly, her eyes alight with excitement. “Lady Eugenie, I must apologize for calling so early, but I bring the most delightful news.”

Eugenie gestured towards the settees. “Would you care to sit?”

“Thank you,” Lady Jane said, lowering herself gracefully down onto the settee. She barely waited for Eugenie to settle beside her before continuing. “I spoke to my uncle, and he was most impressed with the sampling of your work.”

Eugenie’s breath caught in her throat. “He was?”

Lady Jane nodded eagerly. “Indeed. So much so that he wishes for you to submit a full article for consideration to be published.”

Eugenie’s heart stuttered. For a moment, she could do nothing but stare. “Are you in earnest?” she managed at last.

Lady Jane’s smile widened. “I am. My uncle, of course, requests that you submit an article for the Society page. I know that is not the subject you long to write about, but it is an opportunity—a first step.”

Eugenie nodded, excitement and disbelief warring within her. “I could certainly do that.”

“My uncle will contact you once he has reviewed your submission,” Lady Jane added.

Eugenie exhaled sharply and leaned back against the settee, the weight of the moment sinking in. “Thank you,” she whispered, the words barely containing her gratitude.

Lady Jane tilted her head, observing Eugenie with a mix of amusement and sincerity. “Have you considered a name to write under?”

“Not yet.”

Lady Jane rose. “You should come up with one, and quickly.”

Eugenie stood as well, still caught in the whirlwind of emotions. “How can I ever thank you for this? ”

Lady Jane’s expression softened. “Do not squander this opportunity,” she said simply. “That is all I ask.”

“I won’t,” Eugenie promised.

A flicker of something passed across Lady Jane’s face—a shadow of longing, of wistfulness. “I wish I had the courage to do something like this,” she admitted quietly.

“Why can’t you?”

Lady Jane let out a soft, humorless laugh. “My father and brother would never allow it.”

There was an unmistakable sorrow in her voice, a resignation that Eugenie recognized all too well. It was the feeling of being powerless with one’s own destiny.

Eugenie’s excitement dimmed slightly as she reached for Lady Jane’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Perhaps one day, things will change.”

Lady Jane forced a smile, but the sadness in her eyes remained. “Perhaps,” she murmured. “I should go.”

Eugenie wished she could offer more than mere words, something that would banish the sorrow from her friend’s face. But she was at a loss for words. “Thank you for coming by.”

They walked together to the main door, their footsteps softened by the plush carpets. Lady Jane exited the townhouse and stepped into her waiting carriage. Eugenie headed towards the dining room and stepped inside.

At the far end, Elsbeth sat engrossed in the newssheets. A cup of tea sat before her, barely touched.

“I have the most wonderful news,” Eugenie gushed, unable to contain herself.

Elsbeth looked up. She set the newssheets aside, folding them neatly. “What is it?”

Eugenie slid into the chair across from her. “Lady Jane came to call and informed me that her uncle enjoyed my sampling of work. He wants me to submit an article for consideration to be published. ”

Elsbeth’s face brightened with delight. “That is wonderful news!” she exclaimed.

As if on cue, a footman approached and placed a cup of chocolate before Eugenie. She barely spared it a glance, too consumed by her excitement. “It would be an article for the Society page,” she added, as though testing the thought aloud.

Before Elsbeth could respond, a voice rang sharply through the room.

“Absolutely not!”

The harsh declaration cut through the warm atmosphere like a blade, and both women turned towards the doorway where Niles stood, his expression thunderous. His broad shoulders were tense beneath his morning coat, his dark brows drawn together in clear disapproval.

“Oh, dear,” Elsbeth muttered under her breath.

Eugenie did not cower under her brother’s glare. Instead, she met his eyes with an unwavering resolve. “And whyever not?” she challenged.

Niles strode into the room. “Do you not understand the scandal you would create if you published an article in the newssheets?” he demanded, his voice edged with frustration. “A lady does not write articles for the public. It is wholly improper.”

Eugenie willed herself to remain calm. “I do understand,” she said. “Which is why I will write under a pseudonym.” She lifted her chin. “I could write under Mother’s surname—Wentworth.”

Niles sank into the chair beside his wife, rubbing his temple as though the very idea exhausted him. “That is not good enough,” he countered. “If anyone were to discover the truth?—”

“They won’t,” Eugenie interrupted, her voice firm.

Niles narrowed his eyes. “And how can you be certain?” he asked. “You cannot predict the future. ”

“Exactly,” Eugenie shot back. “Which is why I must seize this opportunity while I can.”

His gaze flickered to his wife, as if hoping for reinforcement. “Elsbeth, will you talk some sense into her?”

Elsbeth merely smiled. “I would,” she said, lifting her cup to her lips, “if I thought she was entirely wrong.”

Niles stared at her, utterly incredulous. “You think Eugenie should write articles for the newssheets?”

Elsbeth tilted her head, regarding him thoughtfully. “What harm could it do?” she asked. “If she writes well and under a different name, who would be any the wiser?”

Niles exhaled sharply. “Eugenie…” he started. “This is a terrible idea. Surely you can admit that.”

“I admit nothing,” she responded.

His frown deepened. “Be reasonable.”

She reached for her cup of chocolate, letting the warmth seep into her fingers as she considered her words. Then with quiet conviction, she said, “I need to do this, Brother.”

Niles leaned forward, his gaze searching hers. “Why?” he asked, his voice no longer angry but bewildered. “Why would you risk ruination to do something so foolish?”

Eugenie held his gaze. “Because I need to prove to myself that I can do more than what Society expects of me.”

Silence stretched between them.

Eugenie had always known what was expected of her—to marry well, manage a household, bear children, and never stray beyond the boundaries so carefully constructed around her since birth.

But she had spent years watching men debate, challenge, and change the world through their words, while women were expected to sit quietly and observe. She was tired of watching.

She wanted to be heard.

Niles put his hands up in surrender. “Very well. But for the record, I think this is a terrible idea. ”

“Duly noted,” Eugenie said.

“I know you have resigned yourself to spinsterhood, but I want more for you,” he said, his expression softening. “I want you to find love. To have a family. To experience the kind of happiness that comes from sharing your life with someone.”

“Not everyone is destined to have a perfect love story like yours,” Eugenie stated.

Niles reached for Elsbeth’s hand. “I never said it was perfect. I just wanted someone who would never give up on me.”