What's Best For You

It has been a few days since she received the list. Unfortunately, the more Florence learned about the last two men, the more she did not even want to meet them. Viscount Otis had been engaged three times before. The relationships were broken under mysterious circumstances that no one knew.

In a perfect world, he would be the perfect candidate, since Florence could tell him about her plans and only be engaged to him for a few months. But because of his reputation, the countess dowager would never accept him.

As for Earl Toth, rumor had it that he had lost all of his inheritance in gambling. He is looking for a rich bride who would support him and his mother. A situation that her mother would not approve of either. Thus, Florence was still in trouble. She was still at her mother's mercy.

"I think silk in a salmon color would go well with it," the dowager countess uttered as she eyed her daughter.

"Your taste is always exquisite, my lady." The seamstress smiled at her.

The woman never asked Florence about what she wanted or what color she thought would match, it was always her mother. Today was no different. Florence never cared, clothes were just clothes to her. She was never one to follow the latest trends, but her mother made sure all her dresses did.

Florence was exhausted. She had been standing for more than an hour as the seamstress and her mother made decisions about the 'one of a kind' dress she was to wear for her ball.

She sighed.

"Could we maybe take a break? My feet hurt," she complained.

"Alright, let us have some tea before we resume." Lina motioned to the servant to prepare it. "I want the design to be finished today."

'Finished today? She is mad.'

Florence wanted to run away, but she knew that if she did not do as her mother said right then, she would still have to do it later–while dealing with her wrath. She sat on the sofa farthest from her and waited for tea.

After the break, it took another hour for the seamstress to finalize the design according to the countess dowager's preferences. She promised to finish it in a week

Dinner was as usual–the dowager countess speaking, and Richard listening and agreeing with her. It annoyed Florence greatly, but she kept her mouth shut and chewed her steak. She had enough on her mind to tune out her mother's voice. So, when she addressed her, she did not hear a word of what she had said.

"Are you listening, Florence?" Lina was annoyed, she hated repeating herself.

"My apologies, Mother. I have a lot on my mind. You were saying?"

"I was saying," Lina repeated with displeasure. "Your cousin will be arriving tomorrow, so make sure you are ready to receive her. She should be here around noon."

"Great." Florence's tone was more sarcastic than she had intended it to be.

"I have no idea what you have against Hannah," the dowager countess said. "She has always been nice to you."

"Nice? She always treats me with contempt, like she is better than me."

"She has always worked harder than you, and made more effort. I am sure you misunderstood her behavior. You probably just feel intimidated by her."

Florence stared at her mother with parted lips. 'How could she say something like that to me?'

Lina has always praised Hannah. Even in a room full of people, if both Florence and Hannah were present, Lina would praise her niece and not her daughter.

"Maybe if you did not compare me to her all the time, I would not hate her this much," she mumbled.

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe if you gave me just half the praises you gave her, I would not loathe her like I do." Florence repeated, she was shaking.

"If you wanted my praises, then you should have done better than you did." Lina's voice was cold and emotionless.

At this point, Richard just put his knife and fork down, he could not eat anymore. Every meal was becoming a battle between his mother and his sister, and he was getting really tired of it. "Can we just–"

"I wonder what you are referring to, Mother." Florence matched her tone. "Is it because of magic? But you know that is not my fault, in fact, it is more your fault than mine."

"Florence–" Richard's voice had no effect.

"I have always done my best, father always saw it. You are the only one who never did. If marrying a marquis is the greatest achievement in her life, like you keep saying, then I do not mind losing to her."

"There is nothing wrong with marrying well." Lina shrugged.

"There is when you marry for money or a title. Does she even love him?"

"That does not matter, the marquis loves her."

"What?" Florence spat in disbelief.

"It is better for a woman to marry a man who is madly in love with her than to marry a man she is in love with."

'This woman makes no sense.'

Florence pinched the bridge of her nose. "Do you hear that brother? I am expected to marry a man who loves me even though I bear no feelings for him, and you are supposed to marry a woman you are madly in love with, even if she dislikes you." She laughed. "I think I have heard enough for one day, excuse me." She pushed to her feet and stormed out of the dining room.

"How am I supposed to find a decent husband for this childish girl?" Lina sighed.

"Mother, I think this marriage thing is putting too much stress on Florence."

"It is putting too much stress on me."

"Then maybe we should reconsider–"

"There is nothing to reconsider," Lina interrupted him. "I need you to support me on this, Rick."

"You know I am always on your side, Mother."

"Good, then please let me handle your sister. I only want what's best for you two."

Richard nodded. "I know, Mother."