“It is what I want. But first, allow me time to speak to my sister, as she will take the news very badly.”
He nodded, recalling the words of the young ladies’ father. She would recover, but she was a young girl, and the disappointment would sting.
“Very well, I will leave you to it. I am in good hopes that my cousin will depart now, given the altercation between us. It will further ease our next steps not to have his unpleasant person here with us.”
He reached for her other hand and gently lifted it to his lips. When he kissed it, he kept his eyes open, looking directly into hers. Yes, he knew it then. This was right. Nothing and nobody would ever come between them again.
Chapter 25
“Sophia.” Ruth stopped in the doorframe; her eyes wide as she looked at her sister. She was seated on the edge of Ruth’s bed the way she used to when they were children. There was nothing at all childlike in her sister’s face. Her eyes were aflame with fury as she jumped off the bed.
“How dare you take away the man I am to marry?”
“Sophia. Please, do not be upset.”
“How could I not?” Her arms flailed as she paced the room. “You
have been in my way this whole time. Why?”
“I did not mean to get in your way. I did not mean to care for him. Surely, you understand I did not fall for him on purpose or make him fall for me.”
Sophia grimaced as anger continued to boil at the surface. “What did you do? Bewitch him somehow?”
“Bewitch him?” She could hardly believe her sister’s words. They never fought; they were never at odds. The two were a unit – always. Except now everything between them was coming apart.
“Yes, you must have done something. Why would he choose you and not me? Why? It makes no sense.”
Ruth stepped back, the words hitting her like a whip to the face. Even in her anger, Sophia paused and slapped a hand in front of her mouth.
“Ruth, I am sorry. I did not mean it.”
“You did. It seems after all of these years, you say what is
truly on your mind at last. You think of me the way everyone does. A poor pathetic creature, not worthy of love or attention. Well, I have it. I have his love and his attention, and I did nothing to earn it but be myself.”
Her shoulders rose and fell, and she turned from her sister, walking to the window. Down below, she saw the Duchess walking with her husband. Her hands flew through the air as she wildly gesticulated at him. His face was pale and drawn as he listened, his body turned away from his wife. Ruth knew just what they were talking about.
“How do you know?” She did not have to say anything further, her
sister knew what she was thinking of.
“Lord Cragshade told the Duchess and me what he observed over
dinner. An unsavory engagement between you and Lord Rotham, in the library of all places. He was as aghast by it all, as I was.”
Ruth scoffed. In her heart, she knew her sister’s words were
governed by her disappointment and rage. She was younger than her age when it came to her feelings; she never could quite contain them. And yet, knowing they were born from anger did not make her words less painful. More so if anything.
“You know, of course, that Lord Cragshade only wants two things. The
estate and the title. He would do anything to prevent a marriage to take place with either of us. He declared last night that I must be barren due to my injuries and treatment.”
Sophia frowned. “Well, we do not know what effects the medications
you were given might have.” Ruth hoped her sister would speak up for her, declare herself upset with the unkind words, but she only chose the opportunity to further upset Ruth.
“Well, if I have no children and you marry Lord Cragshade, perhaps
