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“No, it’s me,” Scarlett answered. “Chrys is here, with me.”
“How is she?” Lecy asked stridently. “She tore out of here this morning after Father spen
t half the night screaming at her through her bedroom door.”
“She’s much calmer now. She’s going to stay with us for a while, but she doesn’t have any of her things.”
“I’ll bring her a bag,” Lecy offered.
Scarlett smiled, pleased to see her sister’s iron-bitch facade crack a little. It was good to know that Lecy was as human as the rest of the population. “That would be very kind of you.” Taking a deep breath, she plunged in, “Do you feel safe there?”
“Of course,” Lecy answered distantly. “Father is desperate, but he would never do anything to hurt anyone, especially us. I keep telling Chrysanthia that if she says no and sticks to it, Father will not be able to force her to marry Ralf.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Scarlett offered, knowing she wasn’t. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours?” Lecy agreed and she hung up.
Scarlett and Chrys were in her old bedroom sipping tea when Edward brought Lecy to them. Carter and Darren had still not returned from the meeting, and Scarlett thought it would be easier that way. She knew how Lecy felt about Carter and knew she wouldn’t hesitate to voice her opinions. It would be best for all concerned if she could hustle Lecy out of the house before Carter returned.
Lecy surprised her with a hug, brushing the hair off Scarlett’s face. “You look well,” she commented, surprised. She’d clearly expected her sister to have wilted away to a pale ghost in the presence of Carter Braxton.
“We just returned from Greece,” Scarlett said lightly. “I got a tan.”
Frowning, Lecy examined her sister more thoroughly. “You’ve fallen in love with him,” she accused abruptly.
Scarlett forced herself not to feel defensive. Instead, she replied, “Yes,” in a steady voice.
“How can you do this to your family?” Lecy demanded, unaware how much she sounded like Lydia at the moment. “You have betrayed Father and us.”
“I have not,” Scarlett protested hotly. “I can’t live my whole life for Father, and I’m not going to ruin a chance for happiness simply because Carter hates our father.”
“I see where your sympathies lie,” Lecy condemned.
“Completely with Carter,” Scarlett retorted, getting angry. “How can you defend Father and his actions? He’s trying to sell Chrys to Ralf. How can you condone that?”
Lecy sniffed. “I don’t approve of that, but Braxton has painted Father into a corner. He’s desperate and rash, doing things he wouldn’t normally consider. Unlike Braxton, Father’s a gentle man, and he loves us. He’s doing his best to protect us all.”
Scarlett shook her head. “Father is not what you think he is,” she contradicted sadly. “He’s a murderer.” The words flew from her mouth before she could think to stop them, and she absorbed Lecy’s shocked expression, and Chrys’ harsh sob, with a sick feeling.
“You know.” Carter stood framed in the doorway, and all eyes swung to him. Scarlett’s were guilty, and she looked away from him, focusing on Darren instead. “Lydia?” Carter inquired softly.
Scarlett forced herself to meet his eyes. “She thought I should know,” she answered lamely.
Carter sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sure that wasn’t her only reason,” he said grimly, with a shake of his head. “Would you mind explaining the family reunion?” he asked blandly.
“Let’s go into your study,” Scarlett suggested. Carter shrugged and followed her into his study. She saw the look of surprise on his facen when she went straight to his small supply of alcohol and poured two glasses of Scotch. She handed him a snifter, then downed hers in a single gulp. A choking fit seized her, but she finally regained her breath. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“For what?”
“That I listened to Lydia. I figured out immediately that you didn’t want me to know the circumstances, but I let her tell me anyway.”
“I doubt you could have stopped her,” Carter admitted. “Lydia is...stubborn.”
“I appreciate you trying to protect me from the truth,” Scarlett whispered. “I think you should have told me yourself though.”
“I have a question.” Carter forced himself to utter the words. “Was your promise to stand by made before or after you learned the truth?”
“After.” Scarlett hurried to him as she saw the pain on his face. “I meant what I said,” she insisted. “I love you and I’ll stand by you.”
“Out of pity?” he asked harshly, turning away from her.
