AllFreeNovel
Share Us
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?”
L
ecy 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.
“Of course not,” Scarlett said. “Don’t be stupid, Carter. I love you, and you had better believe that.”
Carter turned around, studying her eyes. “Your sisters?” he asked.
Scarlett recounted the morning’s events for him succinctly. “I told Chrys she could stay here,” Scarlett confessed.
“Damn,” Carter said softly. “Your father is more of a prick than even I realized.”
Seeing his troubled expression, Scarlett felt her heart sink. “What’s wrong?” she forced herself to ask.
Carter sighed as he settled into a wing-chair near the fireplace. “I told Rocco that I would not interfere with his attempts to gain the money for the house, as long as it didn’t involve asking me for an extension, or for the money.”
“So?” Scarlett prompted, wondering what difference that made.
“If I allow Chrysanthia to stay here, thus preventing the wedding, I’ve hindered your father’s plan to regain the money,” he said tersely.
“That’s good, isn’t it?” Scarlett asked, hands on her hips. “You don’t want him to be able to purchase the house from you. You want to see him suffer, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Carter agreed coolly, “But I gave him my word.”
