Just two weeks ago, the thought of getting sacked had filled her with dread. But now, she could walk away from Sir Walter and not only remain standing, but feel that she’d had the better of him. Months had passed while she told herself she wasn’t a lady any more, that she scarcely deserved common courtesy. And yet being a lady had not brought Lady Patsworth any real respect. A thousand rules of etiquette, drummed into her head—and in the end, it was her piano lessons that she’d drawn on. She could remember Herr Rieger standing over her and scowling. Why did you stop playing? Because I made a mistake. Don’t stop. Never stop. They’ll never respect you if you stop and cry like a girl. But— He’d frowned at her and made a motion with his hand. Weep later. Play now. Mary had pushed all her emotions away—grief, anger, guilt. But she’d not realized that she’d condemned herself to avoid the good ones, too. Pride. Happiness. Love. She deserved to experience those as well. She’d stopped for too long.
