In the Fenwick home, Beryl paced back and forth. Robert had not returned since he stormed out, and she feared their last talk had pushed him to do something he might regret. Her first thought was that Robert had placed himself in danger.
Harper sat on the sidelines, upset that her father’s disappearance had led her mother to call off the gathering. Now she was hearing of Amelia having a gathering of her own, and Harper was yet to receive an invitation.
None of the ladies whom Harper said were her friends reached out to learn why the gathering was no more. Harper suspected that they were all laughing at her. Mocking how she was yet again one of the few ladies to not host a gathering.
No one would have believed she would be able to host a gathering, and now her father made it certain.
This was Harper’s time to show the other ladies that they were wrong, but her father blew it for her.
"You should sit down, mother. He has likely gone somewhere to drink his sorrows and forgotten the time. Or, this was his way of making us end preparations for the gathering, and he has succeeded," Harper said, angry that her mother fell for it.
"It is not like your father to be away so long. He would have written to me to speak of the work he must tend to. It worries me that he has not sent anyone. What did I do wrong?" Beryl said, the conversation playing out in her mind. Check latest chapters at noⅴelfire.net
What had she said wrong?
Beryl was only thinking of Harper.
"You sided with me as you should have. Father is in the wrong to worry us . He knows how he left and how his absence would make us feel. Surely, he did not run off and leave us to fend for ourselves. Right, mother?’ Harper asked, starting to worry about her father’s whereabouts.
"Silence!" Beryl yelled, frustrated with what Harper said. "Your father is not the kind of man to run off and leave his family behind. He cares for us and was angry because he must provide for us. You should join me in praying that he returns."
Harper didn’t share her mother’s sentiments since she believed her father was well and he was off enjoying himself. This was his way of punishing her, and she would not fall for it.
Harper would not forgive her father for what he had done. Once she wed Cassius, the tables were going to turn.
Still, Harper remained seated by the door to keep an eye on her mother. She needed to be near her mother so that when her father returned, Harper could stop her mother from siding with her father.
A knock on the door lifted Beryl’s spirits.
Beryl was faster than the maid, rushing to the door to greet Robert, but was met by a face she never expected to be at her door.
Beryl choked up at first, not having the right words to greet the prince, but then her senses came back to her.
Beryl curtsied. "Prince Tyrion. Please forgive this humble servant."
"You may rise. My visit is rather abrupt, so I know I have startled you," Tyrion said, looking above Beryl to the inside of her home.
Harper stood fast. She was too fast and swayed for a moment.
Harper thought her mother was toying with her until she saw Tyrion’s face at the door.
"A royal is always welcomed at our doors. You may enter," Beryl said, making way for Tyrion to come inside.
Tyrion entered the home, his eyes fixed on Harper. "Is your husband home? He should be present for what I have to say."
"My husband is not home at the moment. My daughter and I were just speaking of his absence. It is not like my husband to be gone for so long, so I was about to send for the town guards. Does your visit have to do with his absence?" Beryl asked, clutching the necklace she wore.
Beryl dreaded hearing news of her husband’s death. She was not strong enough to care for their home alone. Their money was not in good order for her to survive and marry Harper off.
"It might be. It is a matter concerning your daughter. Are you still close to Cassius Monroe?" Tyrion asked, drawing closer to Harper.
Harper stepped back, but her foot hit the chair she had not long sat on. "I am. If you are here for what I said to your wife, I didn’t mean any harm. I heard that they were close and carelessly spoke of it. My intentions weren’t to trouble your marriage."
"How close are you to Cassius? Was he a friend or a suitor?" Tyrion asked, ignoring what Harper spoke of.
"Yes, he is my daughter’s suitor," Beryl spoke up in place of Harper. "In fact, he might be the one she will wed. He came here to speak of his feelings. I am a little puzzled as to why it has brought on a visit from the prince. Did something happen to Mr. Monroe?"
Harper’s heart sank. Her eyes widened, and her heart pounded fast as she awaited an answer.
"I can’t speak of it now. Are you certain he was going to propose to your daughter? Were arrangements started-"
"Please enlighten me as to why you and your wife do not think I could get a man like Cassius. I know that my life doesn’t measure up to his, but he has fallen for me and likewise. You have found your happy ending. Why must all of you trample on mine?" Harper asked, her eyes on the brink of tears.
Harper was tired of hearing so many people question whether she could marry a good man.
Beryl rushed to Harper’s side to comfort her. "My daughter could get a man like Cassius, and she did. It was he who came to our home to confess his interest in her. My daughter did not go chasing after him."
"I didn’t mean to offend your daughter. I am here for a matter far more serious. Where did your husband go?" Tyrion asked, going back to Robert.
Tyrion doubted that Cassius had intentions of marrying Harper. Unfortunately for Harper, she was an easy target to use.
What caught Tyrion’s attention was the timing of Robert’s disappearance.
"My husband left in a rush and didn’t return. Had I known where he went, I would have sent for him, so I would not be here worrying. I believe he went to settle our business. We recently stumbled upon luck to get ourselves back in order."
"Please, tell me that my husband is well," Beryl pleaded, needing good news soon or she would no longer be able to stand.