Chapter Text
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young, single woman must be in search of a husband.
"My point, Andrea, is that you're only going to be young for so long." This was not the first lecture Andrea was subject to listen to about marriage. Mrs Silcox was convinced that her second daughter, of four and twenty, would be destitute of husband. What will become of Andrea? "You must marry!"
"Dear mother, Anna is already married! And I suspect will soon be with child. And your youngest is a most determined flirt. If that is what you wish for, I can assure you, you will have grandchildren. You will survive if it is not by me."
"Oh!" Her mother clutches her chest and runs to sit down. Repeating, as she fanned herself, "You must marry. What of your happiness?"
Andrea sighed and rolled her eyes. Oh, mothers. Andrea filled a glass with water and handed to her mother. "You lecture me about having a husband so often that I am sure I would be just as happy without a man in my life." Andrea smiles. "I may die an old maid but it will be by choice; I will not live unhappily, I promise."
"What if children? Grandchildren?"
"I shall be the best aunt to Anna and William's children. And Amelia's when she has them. I shall spoil them rotten!"
"And of fortune? You know if you're father dies you will have but nothing! Now surely you see; you must marry!"
"I am done with this conversation, Mama. Everything will turn out, in the end."
Mrs Silcox was not wrong. They were not a rich family and her father had no male heirs. The estate and everything with it would go to some man down the family line—no doubt a man they had never laid eyes on! But as Andrea told her mother, she was not worried about that. One of two sisters was happily married and she knew the other would not be far behind. Besides, Andrea could fend for herself. It was not so uncommon to see a working woman. Andrea that she would be well suited if she worked in a market or some other odd-job.
The only thing worrying Andrea, was indeed, her father. A man who had done so much work for himself and for his family that age had caught up with him and sickness loomed over him. He was very sick, indeed. The doctors knew not what was wrong with him and could only say he wouldn't last long.
Her mother's lectures about finding a husband were not about having sons in law or even grandchildren. She wanted to make sure her daughters were secured. Safe. Andrea knew that but it jabbed at her heart and she couldn't bear to think about it.
Despite Andrea's wishes to marry for love, the chances of it were next to nothing in the here and now. She would probably end up married to some old Lord and bear his children, pray for an heir and truly be lonely for the rest of her life. She would rather live out her life single than bear that.
Safety. Security.
She didn't want to upset and disappoint her mother. Truly. If she were like other girls of the county she would've already been married to a man who was betrothed to her since birth. But her father insisted that wasn't the way to find a husband. And for that, Andrea loved her father, very much.
"Good evening, father."
Her father slowly opened his eyes. His chest rose and fell with great effort. His breaths were more wheezes and his voice was just a raspy whisper. "Andrea." He never failed to smile, however. Even on his deathbed, Mr Silcox would continue to smile. His smile was infectious and made everyone else smile too. "How are you, my love?"
"Same as always father," Andrea grasped his hand in hers and smiled ruefully. "Mother is desperate as ever to pawn me off."
He chuckles lightly at that. "That is your mother. How is Anna?"
"She writes often and says she is well. She and William are settling together quite nicely. I suspect news of a baby within months." Her smile turns to one of mischief, her eyes sparkling. "She misses you, misses being close."
"Ah, yes. Well, she knows we love and her miss her. I know it. She'll be alright. And Amelia?"
"The most determined flirt! She is ridiculous, father! Mother needs to worry about her security rather than my own. She'll ruin her image forever!"
Mr Silcox pats the back of Andrea's hand. "Now, now. Let her get it out of her system! For then maybe she will be more easily handled.”
"Father, when she 'gets it out of her system' I fear no one will want her!"
"Dear, Andy," He kisses her hand. "All will be well."
"Everyone says that, father. Even I," the playful fun in her tone disappeared and was replaced with a sad murmur. "I must confess, it's getting harder to believe."
"No. No, don't stop. Dot stop believing. When I die, which will be very soon, you must not stop believing. Be strong, as I know you are. For me. For your mother and Amelia. I believe in you. You will find a way."
Andrea sniffs and chuckles sadly. "You sound as if we are going to war."
"That is life. That is society."
"I love you, daddy."
Andrea moved to lie down next to him. She silently prays for a miraculous recovery but one has not yet come. She wishes to freeze the picture. Wishes she could stay here with her father, forever.
"I love you, too, Andrea. Never forget that."
.•O•.
"Mother, we have to go!"
"But of course!"
"For Philip has said that a rich family will be there and he is bringing along four friends! And his sister!"
"This is your chance, Andrea!"
Andrea sat in the corner of the parlour, sewing and trying desperately to ignore the fanfare of the giggling schoolgirls before her. "Mother, we've talked about this."
"Oh, hush. You're going and that's that! Anna will be there! Do you not wish to see your sister?"
"I shall call upon her tomorrow and we can have a pleasant conversation over tea."
"Andrea," Her younger sister drew out. "You used to love parties! What happened?"
Not tearing her eyes away from her project, she said simply, "I grew up, Amelia."
"Oh, that's no excuse."
Andrea sighed and set the bonnet aside. She picked up her book and headed to her father's bedside.
Mr Silcox was sitting up and has just finished his lunch. She was just in time. "Are you ready?"
"Just a moment, dear."
Andrea sat in her normal spot. Since her father was put on bed rest, Andrea would read to her father every day after his afternoon meal. It was her favourite time of day. She set the book in her lap and look at her father in confusion. "Are you alright? Should I get the nurse?"
He chuckles hand holds his hands up. "No, no. I'm alright. I'm just fine."
"Oh," Andrea relaxes back into her seat and waited for, well, something.
"I hear there's a ball tomorrow night. I hear there will be some young, rich and handsome men." There were a mischievous glint and a teasing in his smile.
Andrea bit her lip. "Father, not you too."
"You're not going?" He looked genuinely confused.
She sighed, exasperated. "Father. I do not see a point anymore. Anna is married now. Amelia is...Amelia. I would rather stay here."
"Why? And take care of me?"
"Of course. What if you need something? No one would be here.”
"Andrea, I am surrounded by servants and nurses. The Doctor is a few streets away. I will be just fine. I will not be your excuse to hide!"
Andrea looked aghast. "I am not hiding, father!" A pink tint covered her checks. She bit her lip to keep from smiling.
"Andrea. You're going. I will have your mother drag you if I must."
"Why do you insist on my going?"
"You have been stuck here for the past half year. You've hardly gone out. You haven't gone out since Anna got married, have you?" Andrea shook her head. "There, you see. Go. Have fun. I expect to hear all the stories and gossip!"
"Father—" She tried to protest.
"No, I will not hear any more excuses. Go shopping, pick out new ribbons. Enjoy yourself."
Andrea groaned in defeat. Her father beamed, pleased with himself. "Fine. But I cannot promise to have fun as I'm going against my will."
"You will."
"Now. Please read."
Andrea chuckles and begins to read, "To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least better than being rejected as no good at all..."