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She couldn’t leave without talking to Carter, or she would lose him forever. Ignoring her rumpled clothes and bed hair, Scarlett walked down the hall and knocked on Carter’s door. She figured he would already be awake and busy downstairs, but he opened the door. Scarlett’s body throbbed when she saw he was wearing only a toweling robe, and his dark hair was sleek and wet. “We need to talk,” she said, pushing her way past him before he could object.
“I don’t have time,” he protested.
“Make time,” Scarlett snapped. “I’ve been patient for the last few days, but I’m tired of waiting for you to make time for me. I need to know what’s going to happen between us.”
“Now is not the time,” he said firmly. “I’m going to be quite busy for the next few days, so I suggest you entertain yourself as best you can until I can deal with you.”
“I’m not a child.”
“Dammit, Scarlett,” Carter snapped, glancing at the clock by the bed. “I have to go soon.”
Taking a deep breath, Scarlett raised her head. “Since you’re going to be so busy for the next few days, I’m going to go visit my sisters.”
Carter’s eyes narrowed, and his head snapped up, “I see,” he said coldly. “Mission accomplished, so you’re on your merry way?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You had me fooled.” Carter shook his head. “I honestly believed you loved me for a while, but your father spilled your big secret. I know you were manipulating me all along.”
Scarlett’s mouth hung open. “You?
?re an idiot to believe him. You’re the one who showed me what a liar he is! Don’t do this, Carter. Don’t throw away our relationship because of my father. He’s done enough to you. Don’t let him ruin this too.”
“I’ll have the car return you to Terini Manor,” Carter said distantly.
“I only wanted to visit my sisters,” she said, desperation nearly choking her. Swallowing, Scarlett said, “That isn’t even true. I was just hoping to jar you out of this funk you’ve been in. I don’t want to leave.”
“Very convincing performance.” He clapped mockingly. “If you were an actress, you’d be packing the theater. Your conscience can be absolved of hurting me. You never meant enough to me to allow me to be hurt by you.”
“That’s not true,” Scarlett cried. “You love me.”
“You’re not the only actor, Scarlett.”
“You must love me, or you wouldn’t have given Father his house back.”
“That’s all part of my plan,” he dismissed. “Now, the car will be waiting for you shortly, so I suggest you pack.”
“Don’t send me away,” Scarlett begged.
“Don’t ever come back,” he said with such finality that she literally crumpled to the floor.
Scarlett eventually pulled herself up from the floor and went to her room. Amid a storm of weeping, she threw her clothes together, leaving the luggage and clothing Carter had purchased for her. It was only as she lugged the heavy suitcase downstairs and saw the concerned expressions of Edward and Ann that she realized she had nowhere to go.
She’d denounced her father, siding squarely with Carter, thinking their love was the most important thing in her life. She’d alienated her sisters by accusing Rocco of murder, and she had no other family nearby. Scarlett’s wallet was empty, and she was destitute. There was only one place she could go, and though it hurt her pride, she knew she had no choice.
Scarlett went down the stairs, refusing Edward’s help with her case, but allowing the chauffeur to stow it in the trunk. Reluctantly, she gave her father’s house as her destination and put up the privacy screen so the chauffeur couldn’t hear her sobs or see her tears.
By the time the town car pulled up in front of Terini Manor, Scarlett had gained a semblance of control. The chauffeur carried the bag to the door. Marcia opened the door, and Scarlett forced a smile. “I’m home,” she trilled in a falsely bright voice that grated on her own nerves.
“Miss Terini.” Marcia inclined her head. “It’s good to have you home,” She moved aside as Scarlett came inside, dragging her case. “I’ll have Fred take that to your room.”
“Thanks,” Scarlett said distractedly. “Where are my sisters?”
“Upstairs.”
Scarlett forced herself up the stairs and knocked on Lecy’s door. After a moment, it was opened by a harried-looking young woman who was unfamiliar to Scarlett. “Hello,” she said, frowning.
The girl nodded, but didn’t speak as she had a mouthful of pins. Scarlett skirted around the open door and stared at the sight that met her eyes. Lecy and Chrys were both standing on platforms in the middle of the room. Three women were fluttering around them, tucking and pinning the dresses they wore.
