“What kind of changes?” Chessa asks.
“Your father has done an admirable job of raising you all without a mother during some of your most formative years, but it is quite clear to me thatsomeof you need a little more work than others in etiquette and decorum.”
“Some of you” meaning me, obviously.
“It’s not right for a woman to sit around all day and shirk her duty to the family. If you’re to remain here under this roof, you will have to earn your stay.”
I almost spit out my wine at Lady Carlisle’s words. What in the gods’ names is she implying?
Chessa sits up straighter and gives me a wicked smile. “Sounds like she’s talking about you, Raelyn.”
“I beg your finest pardon?” The words fly out of my mouth before I can pull them back.
Lady Carlisle looks down her pointed nose at me. “If you are unwilling to marry, Raelyn, surely you can find a way to make yourself more useful. Needlepoint and reading are hardly valuable uses of your time.”
I hate to think what she’d make of the sword skills. Even more worthless, I’m sure.
My eyes dart from hers to where my father is engrossed in the paper. “Father, you agree with this?”
He waves a hand, brushing me off. “I’m sure whatever Lady Carlisle has in mind is a wonderful plan.”
Has he even been listening? What is she planning? Having me scrub chamber pots? I shudder.
“Erika and Chessa aren’t married yet—do they need to earn their keep as well?” I ask.
Lady Carlisle turns to look at the twins, her finger tapping her chin. “They will spend their time making themselves as attractive as possible to lure potential matches.”
I think I might be sick.
Chessa gloats. “We appreciate all of your attention, Lady Carlisle.”
Lady Carlisle gently pats her shoulder. “Feel free to call me Mother, Chessa. I will be soon enough. And of course I’ll ensure you both make advantageous matches this season.”
I would call her “Mother” over my dead body, not that she offered.
With each condescending glance and every demeaning word out of Lady Carlisle’s mouth, my unadulterated loathing for her grows.
The entire manoris aflutter with preparations for the wedding ball tonight. I try to stifle a yawn as I stand on the small pedestal while the seamstress tugs and pulls at my dress.
“Stand still, Lady Raelyn. I swear to Luna, if you don’t stop fidgeting, I will poke you with my needle,” the seamstress reprimands.
I bite my tongue to keep from snapping at her, but she’s practically family, and I don’t really mind her snark. It just feels like I’ve been standing here for hours, and I’m exhausted.
“Better do as she says,” Erika comments from the corner, where she and Chessa are seated in front of a large mirror, their lady’s maids trying to force their pin-straight hair into curls.
“Father will have your head if you ruin his important night,” Chessa adds.
“I don’t understand why it’s such a big deal,” I retort. “It’s not like he hasn’t been married before. It’s all happening so fast.”
Erika turns her head and gives me a haughty look. “Just because you don’t care about it doesn’t mean it’s not important. Father has been alone since Mother died. Why can’t you let him be happy?”
“Why is he so set on impressing Lady Carlisle? She already agreed to marry him, did she not?”
“Because she’s perfect and deserves the best,” Chessa says dreamily. “I plan to be just like her someday.”
It takes everything within me to bite my tongue.
The seamstress looks at me and lowers her voice to a whisper. “I’ve heard talk that your father would be financially ruined if not for Lady Carlisle. You might want to try harder to get on her good side.”
