Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“I know nothing of what you speak,” I lied, dusting off my clothes. “Once more, I must tell you to get off my property, Fitzwilliam, for you are a mad fool, and I shall not tolerate you a second longer.”
“And you are the bigger one, little brother. The greatest and cruelest of them all!” He cursed before marching down the stairs and then was upon his horse with ease.
“Fetch me my horse,” I ordered.
I needed a plan.
“Where are you going?” Aphrodite asked from behind me.
I did not have an answer for her. When my horse arrived, I was upon it and took to the forest myself. My mind reeled as I sought a way to prevent this from going even further out of control. For if Fitzwilliam could trace the papers back to Aphrodite, he very well could press libel charges against her, and the magistrate would most surely refuse to look the other way. I could prove the truthful parts of her words, but what I needed now more than anything was another witness. Proof of my claim. And my only chance to acquire it very well might have been gone now, for Fitzwilliam seemed more likely to be returning to town than his home.
I was just about to come upon Ponsonby when I saw her from the corner of my eye, standing over a rocky bank above the rushing river below.
No! No! No!
“Marcella!” I called out to the girl, riding faster toward her.
She turned to me, her eyes swollen red and tears falling down her cheeks. Jumping off the horse, I sought to get closer. “Marcella, it is all right. Come back this way.”
“It is not all right,” she cried out, grabbing her head. “I do not know when it went wrong. How it all went so wrong.”
“You surely will not find out like this,” I explained. “Come, let us talk…”
“He is so angry. I cannot go back,” she sobbed, shaking and taking another step back.
“Then you do not have to. Come, let us talk. This is dangerous. Take my hand.”
She shook her head. “He is my husband. I have to go back…I do not want to.”
“Marcella! Please, do not let him do this to you. There has to be another way, we—”
“There is no other way.” She wiped her face and inhaled.
“Marcella—”
“Tell the duchess thank you for being kind to me,” she said. With all my might, I ran toward her.
“No!”
Aphrodite
When I had been alone thinking of sending the letter it had felt as though it were the only logical thing to do, but now I was not as sure.
“Was it really you?” Verity asked from behind me.
I turned to her. “Verity, I—”
“Do you understand how embarrassing it is to have a father like that or to have a family like this?” she asked with tears in her eyes. “I know you do not; you come from such a kind family. So I will tell you it is a very deep wound. One that we do our best to hide even though we know all the world is laughing. Do you know how mortifying it was to come out to the queen? I had practiced over and over again. Prepared and begged Datura not to come, but we knew she would anyway. How could she miss such a chance? I had to prepare myself for that. Prepare to walk out, on a day that was to be for my own glory, only to be the subject of mockery. And I was. For that is what this family has been all my life—the subject of talk and mockery.”
“I wanted to help and get the truth out,” I replied.
“The truth is out, but whether it helps anyone, I truly doubt. Did you even pause to think of me? Or Emeline?” she asked, looking at me. “For even I have questions. I did not know much of Emma. Nor did I understand how it was possible for my brother to stray from you when he loved you so. You have put doubt in my head of Emeline, and if I, who care for her, have it, then others shall as well. What will become of her when new twisted talk reaches her ears? How will you explain all this then?”
I had no words, for I had not thought that far.
She shook her head. “Excuse me.”
I watched as she ran up the stairs. When she was gone, I placed my hand on my face, not sure of what to do or say. I had not sought to hurt them. But I had, and now I was unsure of what I had unleashed.
All I could do was sit back down, shamefully, to reflect on my actions and wait for Evander to return. The longer I watched for his horse, the more anxious I felt, to the point where I felt sick as minutes turned to hours. By evening, he still was not home. Nor had I gotten any word. The whole house felt empty without him. I worried, knowing he was upset with me. So worried, in fact, I gave up watching the world outside and sought needlework to make Emeline another doll.