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“So some outdated ideals of honor are more important than my sister?” Scarlett demanded, outraged.
“It is my honor we’re discussing,” Carter pointed out, “And I don’t know your sister.”
Wounded, Scarlett stepped back from him. “I see,” she whispered, hurrying from the room. She didn’t want to face Lecy and Chrys without being composed. She wasn’t ready to tell her sister that she had to return to Terini Manor after promising her she could stay. At the moment, she would be in blubbering tears right alongside Chrys, and she had to be strong for her.
Scarlett went into a bathroom and closed the door behind her, engaging the lock. She sat on the closed lid of the toilet and cried for a few minutes. She was disappointed in Carter, but she could understand his point-of-view, which made the situation more difficult for her. She wished she could be completely angry with his insensitivity, but she wasn’t. He didn’t know Chrys, and he had no reason to protect her from their father. It was understandable why his honor was more important to him, but Chrys didn’t deserve to be thrown back into the lion’s den.
Scarlett racked her brain for a plan, but nothing was forthcoming. She had no way to raise the money required to pay off the house, and she couldn’t rescue her sister without Carter’s help. She couldn’t bring herself to leave Carter to return to Terini Manor, even if it was to protect her sister. What was she going to do?
Carter
Carter sighed heavily as she left the room, knowing he’d hurt her deeply. She wasn’t unreasonable in asking for his help for her sister. He’d finally realized that Scarlett was not her father and did not deserve to be punished for his sins, so it stood to reason that Chrys deserved the same consideration. He’d only seen her twice, but she’d struck him as naïve and sheltered. How could he allow her to be introduced to the real world in such a cold way?
Yet the alternatives left a bitter taste in his mouth. He could offer his protection to Chrys, diminishing his own image, both to himself and Terini. Breaking his promise would weaken his position, and he couldn’t allow that. He refused to appear weak in front of Terini.
The only other option was even more unpalatable. He’d accomplished most of his goal this morning. Terini’s company had been split into so many pieces, and each sold to a separate company, that, like Humpty Dumpty, he would never be able to put it back together again. His source of income was drained from him, and he was humbled. His reputation in the business community had been irreparably damaged, and that brought Carter satisfaction. Not complete satisfaction though. He’d wanted Rocco to be reduced to begging on the streets.
Carter couldn’t believe he was considering letting Terini off the hook. Was he really going to return the house to Rocco and mark the debt paid? Had he turned into a weak fool by loving Scarlett, or had she allowed him to rediscover a spark of humanity and compassion he’d thought long dead? Sighing, Carter rose from his chair and placed a call to Terini’s house.
Rocco picked up the phone with a terse hello, and Carter said, “Come to my home as quickly as possible. We have business to discuss.” He returned the phone to the cradle without waiting for Rocco’s reply and went to find Scarlett.
Edward directed him to the bathroom, and he stood outside the door for a few minutes, waiting for her to emerge. He was about to pound on the wood when she opened the door and ran right into him. He steadied her, noticing her red eyes and the nearly invisible tear tracks on her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, opening his arms to her.
“I’m sorry too.” She snuggled closer. “I shouldn’t have asked you to intercede. I can understand why you don’t want to get involved. She’s not your concern.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Carter said.
“What?” Scarlett asked, lifting her head.
“Your father will be here soon, and I’ll deal with the situation,” he promised her. “Go tell your sister it’s being taken care of.”
Scarlett threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. “I love you. I know how hard this is for you.”
He shook his head and returned to his study to draw up the papers. Scarlett was worth letting go of the rest of his vengeance, he told himself. To his surprise, he believed the words and knew they were true. She was worth this sacrifice, and any other that might be required of him.
19
Scarlett
Scarlett entered the living room as Edward had announced his arrival. She knew Carter was still busy in the study but she wanted a moment alone with her father. She needed to tell him how she felt, about what he had done to her, to their family.
She sa
w him sitting in a chair looking nervous as she walked in. “Scarlett,” he said happily, rising from the chair with his arms outstretched. “You’ve done it.”
“Done what?” Scarlett asked in confusion, staying away from her father.
“Vanquished the enemy,” he explained. “I don’t know how you did it,” his tone was suggestive, “But I’m grateful you did.”
“I’ve done nothing,” Scarlett denied. “Carter is taking whatever action he is because he felt sorry for Chrys, and because I asked him to intervene.”
Rocco frowned. “Then Chrys shall be rewarded for giving such an outstanding performance,” he said jovially.
Scarlett’s mouth dropped open. “Are you saying that you deliberately sent Chrys here, that you aren’t trying to force a marriage between her and Ralf?”
“Of course not,” Rocco said. “She is supposed to marry Ralf in two weeks. I was put out that she ran here to you, allowing Braxton to know I was maneuvering to get the house back. Unlike you, she isn’t always responsible, and she doesn’t always do her family duty. It turns out that her impulsiveness might have brought an end to this unpleasantness though.”
Scarlett shuddered. “It’s more than unpleasantness. If you had any idea how hard it is for Carter to even contemplate releasing you from your obligations—” She paced a few steps from Rocco. “But he is a good man, and he has a conscience.”
