An enigmatic smile tugged at her mother’s lips. “You will soon see. Now, no more questions. We must hurry. They’re waiting.”
Honoria stepped into what had to be Burwood’s study and froze at the sight before her. She stopped so abruptly, her mother nearly collided into her from behind.
Her gaze darted between her father, Drake, and Burwood.
Her father grinned broadly. In fact, his face had stretched so widely, she thought it would break.
Burwood appeared half asleep, leaning against the wall and yawning.
But Drake? Drake seemed almost apologetic. What had he to be sorry for?
What had happened?
The words came out of her mouth before she could pull them back. “What is going on?”
“Wonderful news, daughter.” Her father clapped his hands together. “Burwood has offered for you, and I have agreed.”
What? What?!
The room tilted, making her nauseous.
Drake shifted his gaze away, looking very much like a schoolboy who had been caught cheating.
“No.” She shook her head. “No. No. No.” She gaped at Drake. “How could you stand by and allow this to happen? You were supposed to offer for me.”
Drake held out his hands. “I did, Honoria. You don’t understand.”
Her father’s head jerked toward Drake. “Good God, man. You mean she doesn’t know?”
“Know what? None of you are making sense. Tell me what you’re talking about!”
“I’m Burwood,” Drake answered, his voice soft.
Icy cold snapped through her. She stumbled back, her joints stiff and uncooperative.
Drake moved from behind the desk and took a step forward. “You’re trembling. Perhaps you should sit down.”
“I don’t want to sit down!”
Frozen moments before, her body turned liquid, and someone wrapped an arm around her waist.
She turned toward her mother, who struggled to keep her upright.
Drake rushed to her side. “Allow me.”
Batting his hands away, she regained her strength. “No! Keep away from me.”
He jerked back as if she’d slapped him.
Perhaps she should! “You lied to me. Lied to everyone here.” Sheshook her head. To clear it? In answer to his deception? She wasn’t sure. Nothing made sense.
“Was it all a lie?” She croaked out the words, terror clamping her chest and tightening her throat. “Last night?”
His eyes widened. “No!” He lowered his voice. “Now is not the time to discuss that.”
Her father strode forward. “Discuss what?”
She held her arms out, holding them all at bay. “I can’t breathe. I need to get out of here.”
