A Simple Deception

I

"I have already made my decision, Mother," snapped Susanna. "I made it the other day when he proposed."

Susanna could see that her mother was trying to be patient, but there was frustration in Cecily's eyes. Susanna wished her brothers were here to act as a barrier. For that, she was thankful that Jack and Claire had agreed to attend the faire today so that she might have some respite.

"Susanna, you do not want to be labelled an old maid!" insisted Cecily. "You have turned down countless suitors this summer, many of whom were finer prospects than Lord Bertram. Oh, I could have hanged you for turning away the Viscount Kilmartin!"

"The Viscount Kilmartin was fifteen years older than me, Mama," bit back Susanna, "and he kept referring to me as Sarah."

Cecily huffed. "He was maybe thirty-five at most," she murmured. Cecily placed her hands onto Susanna's shoulders and squeezed her. "Just think about accepting Lord Bertram today," she urged. "Believe me, child, it is better to be the intelligent one in marriage. You have the power."

Susanna turned on her mother, shrugging her hands of her shoulders. "Marriage isn't a chess game to me, Mama," Susanna cried. "Wouldn't you have been happier had you married for love?"

For a moment, Susanna saw a flash of something in her mother's eyes. But Cecily was quick to recover and pasted on her mask of composure.

"Susanna, you behave as if these men are ogres out to lock you in a tower," Cecily scolded. "Just promise me that you will at least consider Lord Bertram today. Love is rare and complicated, and more often than not one is unable to find it. But even if one does not love their husband, you will love your children, and believe me, they provide a far more satisfying love."

Susanna didn't reply. She didn't believe what her mother had conditioned herself to believe. Surely everyone's life would be infinitely better had they found love. She had only the testimony of her brothers, but that was enough evidence for Susanna to turn down Lord Bertram again.

***

The faire was held in Hyde Park, as a precursor to the end of the social season. It was here that matched couples could be seen promenading for all to see in and amongst the festivities of games and entertainers.

It was also one of the last opportunities that unmatched ladies and gentlemen could converse in a casual setting privately while their chaperones were suitably distracted by all the fanfare.

Before entering the park, Cecily and Susanna waited for Jack, Claire, and Jackie to join them. They walked together, pushing Jackie in her new baby carriage that Cecily had commissioned as a christening gift.

Susanna watched them together before they noticed her and her mother. Jack walked with his arm around Claire, such an expression of ease and contentment on his face as he smiled down at her. Susanna loved their ease of affection with one another and their clear devotion. How could Cecily observe them together and not see that a love match was better than what lay ahead of her in Hyde Park?

"Good morning," greeted Jack as he and Claire met them.

Claire smiled warmly. "Thank you for inviting us."

"Good morning," Cecily replied, returning their greeting briefly before she moved in front of the baby carriage to look in on Jackie.

Susanna smiled with satisfaction. This was exactly what she wanted. The baby was present, and her mother was suitably occupied.

In mere seconds, Cecily had Jackie out of the baby carriage and was cradling the young infant in her arms. Cecily cooed at Jackie with a pleasurable smile on her face.