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Lecy’s was lavender silk, with a flowing skirt, and a delicate under slip. However, it was Chrys’s dress that caught Scarlett’s attention. It was long, flowing, and white. The dress was obviously made for a bride. “No,” Scarlett said aloud, denying what her eyes were telling her. “He can’t make you marry him,” she said fiercely.
Both sisters looked up, and Scarlett registered their shock. “The wedding is still on?” she demanded.
Chrys burst into tears, “Yes!” She was clearly miserable. “I don’t want to marry him.” She acted as if Scarlett had never been gone.
Lecy was stiffer and colder. “Chrys chose to do this. Father still needs money to pay the bills, and to keep us going, and Ralf still wants her. Don’t pity her too much.” She shot Chrys a scathing look. “It’s her own fault for not standing up to them.”
“Please help me,” Chrys asked pathetically. “I don’t know how to tell Father no. I don’t want to be poor either,” she confessed tearfully. The seamstresses continued about their business, as if they couldn’t hear the sisters’ conversation.
“You have to stand up to him,” said Scarlett. “I’ll come with you.”
“What are you doing here?” Lecy asked abruptly. “I thought you’d disowned Father.”
Scarlett shrugged, not meeting her sisters’ eyes. “Things didn’t work out with Carter,” she admitted blithely, trying to sound carefree.
“Father won’t let you stay.” Lecy’s tone was full of pity. Scarlett only hoped her sister’s statement was not prophetic, or she would be homeless.
Gathering her courage, Scarlett returned downstairs to face her father. She found him in the library, sipping herbal tea and reading a thick tome. “Father,” she said nervously.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come home.” Scarlett barely repressed the urge to cry. Terini Manor no longer felt like her home.
“I thought you were ashamed to be a Terini?”
Scarlett shrugged, but was saved from responding by Chrys’s entrance. The wedding gown had been replaced by regular clothing, but her hair and face were a mess. “Father,” she blurted out, “I don’t want to marry Ralf.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Rocco set aside his novel. “The plans are made. You’re only having cold feet, Chrysanthia.”
“No, I really don’t want to marry him,” she wailed. “Even if I have to be destitute, I can’t marry him. He’s horrible and disgusting.”
“Go to your room,” Rocco barked. “This marriage is taking place, and I won’t hear another word to the contrary.”
“No,” Chrys yelled, and then scurried to hide behind Scarlett. “I won’t do it. I’m telling you no, and I mean it.”
“I’ve had enough. First Scarlett turns her back on our family, and now you. I won’t allow it,” he shouted. “Do you hear me?”
Chrys trembled, and Scarlett could see her weakening. “Be firm,” she said softly. “You’re twenty-one years old, and this is not the dark ages. Stand your ground.”
Nodding, Chrys stepped out from behind Scarlett. “I love you, Father, but I’m not going through with this marriage.”
“Get out,” he roared at her. “I’ll deal with you later.” His voice scared Chrys so much that she fled with a howl. In the sudden silence, Rocco turned to Scarlett. “I know you’re to blame for this too. She was resigned until you came home.”
Walking over to his desk, Rocco buzzed the kitchen. “Have Earl lock my daughter in her room.”.
“Which daughter?” was the bland reply.
“Chrys, for now,” Rocco answered. “She is to be fed three times a day, but she isn’t to be allowed out of her room for any reason until I say otherwise.”
“You can’t do this,” Scarlett protested. “She has the right not to marry him. She’s your daughter, not a prisoner.”
“Perhaps you’d like to take her place?” Rocco suggested coldly as he released the intercom button. “I’m sure Ralf would be pleased to have you. Even though you’ve been compromised, you are still the loveliest of your sisters, and Ralf appreciates beauty.”
“How much is he paying you?” Scarlett demanded.
“Five million has already gone into my account. After the wedding, and once Chrys gives him an heir, a virtually limitless supply will be made available to me.”
“Return the money.”
