Unbefitting a Lady. Bronwyn Scott

this morning and you know he’s capable if he handled Merlin. Besides, Tom Anderson is on the mend. He’s able to keep a better eye on things than he was in January.’

      ‘It’s not just the stables,’ Phaedra hedged. ‘I can’t leave Warbourne. I won’t.’

      Aunt Wilhelmina exploded. She pointed her spoon at Phaedra. ‘That is enough, young lady. You’re twenty and you’ve never come out properly. You’ll never catch a husband, you’ll be nothing but a burden on this family.’ She paused to draw a breath before continuing.

      ‘I promised my sister on her deathbed I’d look after you girls and see you settled. Your mother worried about what would become of her precious girls. It’s so much harder to raise daughters. The world takes care of its men but it doesn’t take care of its women. That’s a family’s job and one I accepted willingly. Out of love for my sister, I’ve devoted my life to seeing the six of you raised. You will not fail me at the last, Phaedra.’

      Phaedra rose and shoved back her chair, tears of anger and guilt burning in her eyes. She had to get out of the room before she embarrassed herself. ‘No, I won’t go. Not this year. I most respectfully refuse.’

      She shot her brother one last look. ‘I’m sorry, Giles. I can’t do it. I simply can’t.’

      Phaedra didn’t stop to change her dress or to grab a shawl. She headed out into the night, to the stables. Where there would be peace and there would be no more talk of Seasons and husbands and promises to keep to mothers she didn’t remember.