Page 59 of A Siren for the Duke

Her hands, trembling uncontrollably, clutched at the delicate fabric of her gown, seeking an anchor amidst the swirling tempest of emotions. The vibrant colors of the ballroom dulled, losing their luster, and the laughter around her became a distant echo. It was as if the world had paused, holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable collision between past and present.

Ferdinand took a step forward, breaking the invisible barrier that separated them. Jemima's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in astonishment. His purpose was clear; he had come to collect her, to drag her back to the suffocating embrace of England. The realization struck her with a force that stole her very breath. The weight of her decision to leave, her defiance, crashed down upon her, threatening to drown her in regret.

As Ferdinand closed the distance between them, Jemima stood motionless, her body trembling with a mixture of fear and astonishment. She felt as fragile as a porcelain doll, her spirit fragile and on the verge of shattering. The room swirled around her, the cacophony of the ball merging into a disorienting symphony. Suddenly the violins were screeching instead of playing sweet melodies.

“Jemima, let me explain,” Lionel said, but Ferdinand barked at him before he could.

“You have done enough!” he snarled. “Get away from her. I am collecting my sister, and we are leaving at once.”

Just then, Eliza appeared, almost floating with how gracefully she carried herself.

“Gentlemen, and dearest lady let us discuss this in a more private setting. We’d hate to cause a scene, wouldn’t we?”

Fuming, all of them followed Eliza’s lead to the small drawing room where she’d received them earlier. Jemima felt as though she were struggling to breathe the entire time.

As soon as the door closed behind them, he let loose his angry torrent.

“Have you lost your mind? Have you any regard for your own safety or for the feelings of your family?!”

“I might ask you the very same question, but I already know the answer! You don’t care about the rest of your family. You would not have arranged my marriage to that awful man if you did!”

“That is precisely why I arranged such a marriage! If it had not been for Lionel, none of us would be in this situation!”

She saw Lionel open his mouth to say something, and fearing a fight would ensue, she threw it right back at her brother.

“Leave Lionel out of this! He has done nothing wrong!”

Ferdinand laughed sardonically, leaving Jemima utterly confused.

“Shall you tell her, or shall I?” he asked mirthlessly, looking at Lionel.

“Tell me what?” she asked, her voice full of desperation as she also turned her gaze to Lionel. His voice faltered, and even though no real words came out, she knew it was not good, for his eyes shone with brokenhearted regret.

“Your beloved sea captain wrote to me, asking for payment as reward for your safe return.”

The words hit her like a punch to the stomach, and she nearly doubled over with the pain of that realization.

“That is why I cautioned you to be careful,” Aunt Eliza said softly. Jemima whirled around to regard her aunt.

“So you also knew?! You knew and did not tell me and continued to act as though I may find freedom here?”

“Spending the rest of your days as a spinster on a remote island far from civilization is no way to live,” Eliza counseled gently.

“But you do it!” Jemima blurted out.

“I have lived far longer than you. I had quite the life before this. But you are young! I cannot allow you to live a spinster so far from your home. It would be irresponsible of me.”

Jemima could not stop the hot, angry tears that welled up in her eyes.

“None of you are listening to me. None of you really had me in your mind at all. You are all thinking of yourselves and your reputations only. What’s more” she cried when Ferdinand opened his mouth to protest. “None of you trust me enough to make my own decisions. Did you ever stop to think that this is what I want?”

Ferdinand spoke in a low, even voice.

“I do not care what you want. You are returning to England with me on the next ship that is not Lionel’s.”

“Jemima... please understand,” Lionel began. She whirled around to face him, glaring daggers. “I was angry when I wrote that letter. I did not want to see you ever again. And my family is... after Horace’s death, we have nothing. At the time, it was a solution that could help.”

“You lied to me, and you are a coward. I cannot believe I was beginning to f-fall for you again,” she said, her voice breaking at the last part.