A Good Heart

Florence hissed as pain shot from her ankle. Rilla halted immediately. She was helping her walk to one of the sitting rooms, where Marquise Flock was waiting for her. After the meeting between the families the day before, Sofia had invited Florence for tea.

"You really need to see the doctor," Rilla said with a worried voice.

"I am fine." Florence gritted her teeth. She would never ask her mother for that.

The maid pressed her lips together. She knew how stubborn Florence could be, especially when it came to the dowager countess. But Rilla thought that her mistress was being stupid. Clearly, the pain was not getting any better.

They resumed walking toward their destination. As soon as Rilla opened the door to guide Florence in, Sofia pushed to her feet to greet her.

"Oh my goodness, are you alright, dear?"

"Y–yes." Florence was surprised by the way she called her. Rilla helped her to the sofa. She she sat with a sigh. "Just an accident from the night of the ball."

"I see." Sofia had the feeling that her future daughter-in-law did not want to elaborate. She sat across the table from her. "You can leave, thank you," the marquise told Rilla and the other maid who had prepared the tea. They obeyed.

As soon as they closed the door, Florence felt her hands sweat. She was nervous. She had spent the previous day in her room, avoiding meeting anyone. But she could not refuse the marquise's invitation.

'Did she call me here to scold me about what I have done to Henry?'

Sofia poured tea for both of them before taking a sip. A sweet aroma filled the room, peach and cinnamon.

"I went for a walk earlier, I really love the flowers. I think the weather and the water here give them a certain vitality."

"I thought I was just being biased when I noticed the difference between our roses and the ones in the capital." Florence smiled.

"Not at all." Sofia chuckled. "I believe even the smell is different.

Florence felt her shoulders relax a bit. She had noticed the marquise's kindness during their meeting the day before, but she had her doubts. After all, her mother only showed her true colors when they were alone.

Since Sofia invited her to tea, and they were alone, Florence thought that Sofia would tell her how she really felt about her. But there was no difference. The woman sitting in front of her was the exact same woman from the day before.

The marquise asked her about her hobbies and likes. She also talked about her other son and his wife, she told her that the whole family would be delighted to have her.

"I have sent word to my husband, so he will join us in the next few days."

Florence squeezed her fingers together. Sofia's behavior only made her guilt grow.

'How can she be so nice to someone like me?'

"Florence?" The marquise frowned. "What's wrong, dear?"

"I–I am sorry." Her voice was almost inaudible.

"About what?"

"Lord Flock…that night…I–"

"My dear." Sofia pushed to her feet and walked around the table to sit by Florence. "Whatever the circumstances that led us to this are, I believe that the Gods have a plan for each and every one of us. It is your destiny to end up with Henry." She squeezed her hand.

Her words did not make sense to Florence. She had lied and tricked her son into a marriage he never wanted. How could she think that this was a good thing? Florence bit the inside of her cheek before meeting the woman's hazel eyes.

"I don't think he will ever forgive me."

Sofia laughed, loud and hard. She patted Florence's hand a few times. "My son might be stubborn, short-tempered, and proud, but he is a good man. He has a good heart." Sofia smiled at her sweetly. "It might take some time, but he will come around." Florence nodded gently at her words.

"Alright," the marquise pushed to her feet. "I have promised Lady Tuffin to meet her, and she hates waiting." Sofia chuckled, thinking of her old friend. "Would you like me to help you to your room?"

"Ah, thank you. I will ring for my maid shortly."

Sofia nodded. "I will see you at dinner, then. I hope you will join us tonight."

Her comment made Florence blush. She was not sure if it was because she felt embarrassed for avoiding them before, or because of the warmth the marquise made her feel.

"I will be there," she said shyly.

When Sofia left, Florence slid back on the sofa with a loud sigh. Then, a grin split her face in two.

'It went so smoothly, so different from what I had imagined. I don't have to deal with Marquis Galley anymore, or my mother for that matter.'

After a few minutes of bliss, she turned to look at the servant bell. It was on the wall behind her and at least ten steps away.

She sighed.

Florence slowly pushed to her feet and leaned on the sofa to make her way to the back of it.

'Almost there.' She encouraged herself.

But as soon as she let go of the sofa, she lost balance and crashed into the wooden floor. She cried as pain shot through her body. Tears were pooling on the edge of her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment.

"What are you doing on the floor?"

Florence flinched. She did not even hear the door open. But there he was, standing at the threshold and throwing her a confused look.

"I fell," she mumbled, heat spreading through her face.

"Do you need my help, again?" Henry smirked.

"I can manage," she answered through gritted teeth.

Henry shrugged. "Alright. I only came to get my mother's hat. She left it here." He searched the room until his eyes fell on the blue hat. He walked to the sofa and grabbed it, then he left.

'What a jerk, is he just going to leave me here?'

Florence was fuming. She struggled to push on her hands and foot to try to get up, but it was too painful.

"My lady," Rilla opened the door and rushed to her.

"Oh, Rilla. Great timing. Would you help me please?"

"I should have stayed closer. If Lord Flock didn't mention that you needed help, I wouldn't have even checked. I am sorry."

"Lord Flock told you I needed help?"

"Yes, my lady," the maid answered as she pulled her to her feet.

'He has a good heart.' Sofia's words rang in her head and a faint smile pulled on Florence's lips.