Page 12 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta

“It is for the best, darling. Marrying a nobleman—it is the best you could aspire toward.”

Henrietta did not see it as such, and she finally released tears. Her destiny lay on the arm of a man who would treat her as indifferently as her father. The best future was educating herself, becoming a physician and studying the sciences which she adored so dearly.

“You must not cry, Henny,” Tabitha told her urgently. “The situation could be far worse.”

Tabitha’s eyes darkened, possibly thinking of her own experience in marriage.

“Mama…”

“I will have Molly fetch us some tea.”

How easy it is for her to simply ignore all that is happening around us. How can she flit about when the world is falling apart?

Her mother hurried from the room. Henrietta stooped to collect the mass of letters her father had thrown on the floor. If one of the universities had agreed to let her in, she could still go.

I will leave tonight, without saying a word to anyone. I will find my way to London and work as a chambermaid if need be to pay my way.

She read each letter; it was truly over. She had been rejected by every university to which she had applied. No matter her intelligence or standing — no one wanted to be the first to admit a woman

I am destined to be nothing more than a wife.I will go from my overbearing father to a stranger husband.

Henrietta cast the correspondence aside.I will not resign to being another forgotten woman—even if I must run from here to be someone.

“Henny, Molly has sent your tea to your chambers,” Tabitha announced from the doorway. “Perhaps you should rest.”

Henrietta rose to her feet, smoothed her skirts, and avoided her mother’s gaze.

“That is a fine idea. I am exhausted.”

She moved toward the stairs and found Molly laying the silver tray on the side table.

“You may leave, Molly.”

“Yes, Miss Oliver.”

Henrietta needed time to organize confused thoughts and sank to the bed. Molly hurried to walk out and close the door. Henrietta heard a gentle clicking of the key in the lock, and her heart leapt into her throat.

“Molly?” She ran to the door and rattled the knob. “What in God’s name are you doing?”

“Forgive me, Miss.” Molly muttered. “You are required to be locked in for your own good.”

“What? Are you sincere?”

“I am sorry, Miss.”

“Wait!” Henrietta heard Molly’s footsteps retreating. “Molly! Molly! You cannot leave me here!”

With the maid gone, Henrietta was left with sobs and a growing resentment toward her father.

Chapter 5

Two Weeks Later

“I would like to see them wed out of doors,” the Duchess was saying. “But I cannot be certain that the weather will cooperate with my wishes.”

“Certainly, Your Grace, there is room enough inside Nightingale for such an event.” Tabitha Oliver breathed, looking about the manor house with awe, which infuriated Ewan.

“Does it much matter where you hold this farce?” he spat angrily, sauntering past them. “The result is the same, is it not?”