“You’re not to agree to anything with him,” he ground out. “Do you understand me?Nothing.”
“You’ve always despised him, tell me why.”
“Because he’s a lecher!” he snapped. “Grew tired of whores and thought to try his hand at an aristocrat’s daughter. Thought you had this huge dowry. Talked about you—yourbody—atlength, at every gentlemen’s club in London, taking bets on how fast he could get your skirts off. Once he learned we were penniless, he came to me with an offer tokeep you.”
“As a mistress,” she whispered.
“Father wasn’t even in theground,” he hissed. “You would be disgusted at the number he suggested. But, you know? At least he’s consistent! And since we’re on the subject ofhonestyyou should know that your value has been halved. And no, he isn’t interested inmarriage.”
“You should have told me!”
“It’s not something you tell your sister, Cassandra! You weregrieving and I’m supposed to have said… what? ‘Sorry Father’s dead and by the way, your fairy-tale prince came by today wondering how much it would cost to have you on yourback’?”
“You should have warned me about him!” Cassandra stomped forward. “Everyone,especially him, thinks an arrangement is as good as done! He’s beenaggressive, Matthew! Grabbing at me, cornering me in the halls! He tried to kiss me! If you had—”
“Hewhat?” Matthew roared. “Just now?!”
Cassandra flinched. “In the yellow sitting room while I was recovering. You had stepped away. Mr. Reeves interrupted him, but if he hadn’t—”
“Andneitherof you said anything.” Matthew glared at her. “And you’re lecturingmeabout secrets?”
“There aresomany things you hide from me!”
“I don’t think this is a conversation you want to have right now,” he said through gritted teeth.
“You don’t tell me anything!” she said. “Not about Colonel Bishop! Not your plans with Mr. Reeves. Or the telescope! Or how you didn’t even bother crafting a hunting rifle! You created a rifle for war, Matthew!”
“Yes.” Matthew’s jaw clenched. “I know.”
“To killpeople, brother!”
“I know!”
“You didn’t even try to win!”
“I did everything I could to win!” His shout reverberated as the sound of a gunshot rang from the lawn. The windows trembled, as did Matthew’s shoulders, and in an instant, he blocked himself from her. Mask fully in place, he turned his back to her. “And now, I’m going to do what I have to, what I amforcedto, to save our family.” His voice was unyielding as stone. “All because you couldn’t stay on a blanket.”
Cassandra choked. “Matthew, I’msorry.”
Another gunshot and it wasViscount Lincolnshire’svoice that spoke. “I’m in no mood to tolerate your tantrum. We leave for London in the morning. Say whatever goodbyes you need to, then go to your bedchamber andstay there. That’s an order.”
Light footsteps approached, halting Cassandra’s response. Mr. Sanderson stood in front of them, wearing tan tweed and an out-of-place smile. He gave a quick bow to Cassandra and turned to Matthew. “May I have an audience, Lord Lincolnshire?” His gaze shifted between the siblings and his smile wavered. “If I’m interrupting—”
“You’re not. I’m finished with her.” Matthew straightened his suit jacket and said to Mr. Sanderson. “Lead the way.”
Without another glance in her direction, he followed Mr. Sanderson down the hall, leaving her alone as another shot rang out.
It sounded like the final nail in her coffin.
***
“Have a seat.”
“I would prefer to stand.”
“Doing what you prefer got you into this mess.” Lord Bolderwood gestured to the chair. “Sit.”
Gritting his teeth, Seth did as he was told.
