Courting the Deaf Debutante

From the vibrations of someone pounding on the door, whoever it was didn’t have good news, Elisabeth thought as she stood up from the pianoforte and crossed to the door. Papa stood before her, his somber brown eyes reddened and his jowly face in a saddened expression. “Papa what's wrong?” Elisabeth signed. “Do you have your book with you?” Papa asked, Elisabeth was grateful she could read lips. “You know I can't understand sign language.” Elisabeth ran back to the pianoforte and found her book. Turning to a clean page, she scribbled What’s wrong? “Have a seat.” Papa said, gesturing to the seat across the way. Wynter sat down and Papa took time to scribble in her book. She kept her shaking hands folded in her lap. M. Clerc had warned her that her hands shook whenever she was overwhelmed with emotions. “Remember, your hands are your voice.” He said, trying to encourage her to keep still. Papa finished and passed the book back to her. Elisabeth, I know there’s no easy way to say this, but I’ve found a husband for you. “What?” Elisabeth signed before writing it down in the book and passed it back to Papa. His name is Sir John Darling. He’s a good man who will take good care of you and will overlook your deafness. An awkward pause passed between the two of them. Ever since birth, Elisabeth had learned to navigate a world without sound. Her brothers were the only two who bothered to learn sign language and would interpret for her with their parents and any others. Papa claimed he was too old to learn and Mama said that her hands hurt too much. Fighting to keep her hands from shaking, Elisabeth reached for the book and wrote I can’t. Why not? It’s been two seasons and you haven’t had any suitors come to call. For God’s sake nobody has ever asked you if you wanted to dance or not. Elisabeth paused and thought for a few minutes. This was going to be difficult. There was more to her life than what she wanted. Yes, having a wealthy and scandal free husband was a good start but she wanted something deeper. I want more than a husband. I want a friend as a husband. Not a stranger. I know it isn’t ideal, Elisabeth. But you two can grow to love each other. You know your dear Mama and I barely knew each other when we married and we’ve come to become great friends and loved ones. Elisabeth sighed. She knew her Papa, sweet gentle Papa, was trying to help and make her life easier. But hadn’t he also taught her to be independent and to focus on what she could do as opposed to what she couldn’t? Papa, I know you want to help but is there some other way? Elisabeth, you know that your mother and I aren’t going to be around forever and your brother will soon be finding a wife of his own. We can’t care for you forever. A husband is your best hope to be cared for and provided for. Your mother and I want what’s best for you and we don’t think spinsterhood is a good decision for you. Don’t you want children of your own someday instead of just caring for your brothers’ nieces and nephews? I know. Elisabeth bit her lower lip, studying Papa. There had to be another way. Her eye caught sight of the sapphire blue ballgown draped over the box from the modiste. It had arrived that morning just in time for the Duchess of Danbury’s ball next week. It would also be the same time that Jeffrey arrived back from his second Tour abroad. The ball… Elisabeth grinned as she wrote down in the book. Papa, have you signed the marriage contract with Sir John yet? No, why? The Duchess of Danbury’s ball is next week, around the same time Jeffrey comes home from his Tour. I’m sure Jeffrey will interpret for me and I can have a dance card full of suitors. Papa paused. Are you sure about this, Elisabeth? The last two seasons were filled with social engagements and nobody bothered to even try to talk to you. That’s because I had no one to interpret for me and nobody felt like writing in my book. If Jeffrey is there, he can properly introduce me to everyone and I can speak freely. You know Mama can’t sign because of her hands. Papa was biting his lip, a sign that he was considering this decision seriously. Elisabeth tilted her head and looked at him pleadingly, just as she did when she was little and beginning to realize she could get her way by looking as sweet, innocent and helpless as possible. Time to play the final card If it doesn’t work, then I’ll accept Sir John with a bright smile on my face. Papa sighed before taking the book again and jotting down something. He returned it to Elisabeth with a resigned look on his face. Very well. If you can find a suitor at this ball who is willing to court you, then I’ll handle Sir John. But if not, then I hope you won’t be too disappointed.