Page 89 of The Duke’s Wager

Maria’s mouth opened and closed a few times, and she shook her head, clearly searching for the right words to say. Lucy could feel the emotion building up in her once more.

Why was it that even after his betrayal, she still wanted nothing more than to be in Edward’s arms? Why after everything, did she still hope that he would fight for her, choose her, love her?

He had lied. Nothing between them had been real, and yet she ached for him, yearned for him. Despite knowing that he had lied about everything, she still hoped beyond all reason that he really did care for her, and that he would want a future with her.

“How—” Lucy’s voice broke, and she shook her head miserably. “How do I stay away from him, Maria? Even if none of this was real for him, it was real to me. Though his love was false, mine was so very real. How do I stop loving him, if we felt so right together? How do I stay away from him, if all that I am calls to him, yearns for him? All I want is to be in his arms again…”

She let out a shuddering breath and shook her head, looking at Maria desperately, hoping that the woman could provide her with some comfort or clarity.

No, Lucy realized. She did not seek comfort or clarity. What she truly sought was for someone to tell her that she was mistaken. She wanted to learn that Edward truly loved her and that she was wrong to believe that all between them had been false.

After a while, Maria opened her mouth to answer but before she could speak, the door opened and her father rushed in, his face a crimson mask of anger.

“You foolish, foolish little girl!”

Spittle flew from his mouth, and Lucy was vaguely aware of his steely grip on her arm.

“What have you done?” he spat.

He was angry – furious – and Lucy stared at him blankly. Had he heard everything? She was certain that he would kill her out of blind rage, and yet the thought did not terrify her. Instead, she felt she would welcome it.

He shook her a few times, and her head lolled forward and backwards as though she were a mere doll.

“You have ruined yourself! Ruined, I tell you! I should have known… should have expected…”

His words sounded hazy and far-off, as though he spoke to her from within some sort of nightmare.

“You’re nothing but a worthless whore… just like your mother!”

This registered, and she blinked a few times, as though she saw him for the first time. Her voice was surprisingly strong and steady when she finally spoke.

“My mother was not a whore.”

“Ha!”

It was an angry sound that escaped his lips, and he shook his head. “Your mother was a fool. She too believed in true love and nonsensical fairytales. Lived her entire worthless life waiting for some man to save her. I thought you were better, I made you better and yet, here you are… just like her.”

He shook her violently and her head hit the wall.

“My lord, no!”

Maria stormed forward suddenly, making a grab for Lucy. This, of course, was something her father could not allow. In one swift motion, he pushed Maria to the ground. His foot stomped the floor, mere inches from her face.

“Remember your place, Maria! You are a servant in this house, nothing more! If you are struggling to remember that, I will make you remember!”

“No!” Lucy cried.

His anger being directed at Maria, gave Lucy new strength and she gripped at his arm with both hands, forcing him away from the woman.

“Leave her alone! Get out, Maria!”

“My lady…” Maria stumbled to her feet, her entire body trembling.

Lucy turned to face her, her voice quivering. “Get out, Maria. That… that is an order!”

Never would she forget the utter despair on Maria’s face. She closed her eyes as the woman left and stood back, waiting for her father to unleash his rage on her.

“I…” When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, though the wrath in it was unmistakable. “I will find a way to clean up this mess, but until then, you…” He laughed and shook his head, anger radiating from him. “You will stay in here and talk to no one.”