Page 40 of A Match of Misfortune

“The Peacock’s Complaint?” Cecily asked, making certain it was the one he wanted.

He nodded, appearing sure of his choice.

“Very well.” She cleared her throat. “The peacock presented a memorial to Juno, importing how hardly he thought he was used in not having so good a voice as the nightingale; how that pretty animal was agreeable to every ear that heard it, while he was laughed at for his ugly, screaming noise, if he did but open his mouth.”

“The peacock does sound funny when it calls,” Jamison said. “And it is loud.”

Cecily nodded. “It certainly is. Which is why it likely complained to Juno. Should we see what happens?”

Jamison nodded.

“The goddess, concerned at the uneasiness of her favorite bird, answered him very kindly to this purpose: If the—” Cecily attempted to turn the page, but Theo stopped her, pointing to the picture of the peacock with Juno looking down on it from the clouds above.

“Pea-cock,” Theo said.

“Yes. Very good. That is a peacock.” Cecily turned the page to continue. “If the nightingale is blessed with a fine voice, you have the advantage in point of beauty and largeness of person. Ah! says he, but what avails my silent unmeaning beauty when I am so far excelled in voice? The goddess dismissed him, bidding him consider that the properties of every creature were appointed by the decree of Fate; to him, beauty; strength to the eagle; to the nightingale, a voice of melody; the faculty of speech to the parrot; and to the dove, innocence. That each of these was contented with his own peculiar quality, and unless he had a mind to be miserable, he must learn to be so too.”

“Can parrots really talk?” Jamison asked, scrunching his nose.

Cecily smiled at the only thing Jamison seemed to have taken from what she’d read. “Not quite like us, but they can repeat some of what they hear.”

Theo turned the page back to the previous page and pointed at the peacock again. “Pea-cock.”

“Yes, peacock,” Cecily said, giving him a little squeeze.

“Can you read another?” Jamison asked.

“That is enough for now.” Mrs. Markham stood, scooping up Theo and reaching out a hand for Jamison to take. “It is time for you to go upstairs and have your supper.”

Jamison gave an endearing pout. “I am not even hungry. Can I not stay down a little longer with Auntie Cecily and Auntie Adelaide?”

“No, my dear. We are to have dinner at Brayton House tonight and must depart in a few minutes.”

Cecily set her hand on Jamison’s shoulder. “I shall read you more fables tomorrow.”

He gave a small huff but then nodded and took hold of his mother’s hand.

“I feel for the peacock and his ugly voice.” Adelaide, who had been seated next to Cecily on the settee, glanced down at the outline of her legs beneath her dress. “It is often hard not to want what others have.”

Cecily’s heart squeezed at Adelaide’s acknowledgment, and she wrapped her arm around her sister and pulled her in close. “I know. The unfairness of it must feel unbearable at times, and I honestly don’t think anyone would blame the peacock in his desire to have what he does not.” She placed a soft kiss atop her sister’s head. “But other than being content with the hand fate has dealt each of us, I believe this particular fable is attempting to make the point that it is often difficult to see the value of the gifts we have each been given. None of the other birds likely doubt the immense benefit it would be to be set apart as the loveliest of them all, except the peacock himself.”

“I suppose so.”

“Sometimes others see our strengths more clearly than we do ourselves.” She noted how her sister’s petal-pink dress perfectly accentuated her lovely complexion, and her hair styled half-up with golden curls cascading down her back made her look like some sort of woodland fairy. She was a vision. “Which is why I shall remind you of your beauty. But not only that, you are also kindhearted, and witty, and intelligent, and⁠—”

Adelaide giggled. “I didn’t say any of that so that you’d feel obligated to shower me with compliments.”

“Oh, but I don’t feel obligated, nor was I finished. You are also sincere and creati⁠—”

Adelaide turned toward Cecily and curled her fingers into her sister’s stomach. “Don’t make me stop you,” she said, though she didn’t even give Cecily a chance before she began wriggling her fingers.

Cecily laughed, yanking free from her embrace and pointing at her sister. “Stop! You know how ticklish I am.”

Adelaide did not look the least bit repentant.

“That is an interesting tidbit to be aware of.” It was Nash’s voice that cut through the moment, and Cecily glanced over her shoulder to find Nash entering the room, wearing his formal attire.

“Nash!” Adelaide brightened instantly. “Are you to go to the Rothsburgs with us?”