Chapter 1 #2
“Our situation is precarious at best, Marina. You know how the ton looks at us. We’re the daughters of a viscount, yes, but we’re also the daughters of a maid,” Rachel winced as she admitted the words.
“That stain doesn’t wash away, not without something extraordinary to distract them.
What better way than to let them think I am to marry a duke? ”
Marina’s eyes filled with frustration. “But you’re not marrying a duke! It is an outright lie.”
“Yes, you have made that quite clear,” she replied, sarcastically. “But what I am trying to convey to you here is that it is beside the point. Casting the impression that I am marrying him is enough.”
“This is the entire point,” Marina stressed, running a frustrated hand through her hair. “And let me remind you that you are not merely casting an impression; you are telling a bold-faced lie.”
“Must you be so strict?” Rachel tried to lighten the mood, but her younger sister would not have it.
“I am only being practical. The consequences could be immense, and society would not let us live this down if the truth were to come out.”
“I am doing the same,” Rachel argued. “By the time anyone questions it, you will have secured a match. You’ll be married to a gentleman who sees your worth, and the chatter won’t matter anymore.”
Whatever happened after that, Rachel had not thought about. And frankly, she did not care.
She had vowed long ago that she would do whatever it took to ensure that Marina had a bright future secured. And if this was what it took, however unconventional it may be, then she was willing and happy to do it.
“And you?” Marina asked, her voice cracking. “What happens to you when the truth comes out? What about your prospects?”
“Oh, please,” Rachel let out a laugh. “I’ve never planned to marry, Marina. You know that. My future doesn’t matter nearly as much as yours.”
Marina was rendered speechless for a moment. It was as though she was finally seeing her sister’s true intentions behind the bold-faced facade.
“That’s not true,” Marina’s voice was softer when she spoke again. “You deserve happiness, too, Rachel. I don’t wish to take that away from you. You cannot put that burden on me.”
“It is not a burden,” Rachel stressed. “My happiness is making sure you’re safe and secure.
Do you think I could live with myself if you were stuck at Fairfield?
No. That outcome would be far worse than any consequence of my little lie.
Consider this as a chance for you to escape that life.
It would not be a sound idea to waste it. ”
“This is madness.” Marina began to pace around. “You are making it sound so trivial.”
“And you are making it sound deeper than it needs to be,” Rachel countered.
The two sisters locked gazes. It seemed that neither was willing to back down.
“And what about Letitia? You know she’ll be furious if she hears about this. She’ll do everything in her power to humiliate us in front of everyone,” Marina continued. Rachel could practically hear the cogs in her head turning, coming up with the next scenario of what could go wrong.
Ah, Letitia.
The name alone grated on her ears. Formally, she was their half-sister; she was also an annoying thorn in their lives.
The one daughter that their father had no trouble accepting and to whom he gave preferential treatment. It was like night and day, how the two of them were treated compared to the way he treated Letitia.
And while one might think this would make her a well-mannered lady—considering her privileged upbringing—it had only done the opposite. She was insufferable and ill-mannered.
The two famously did not get along, and though Letitia loved to impose herself, she was not such an important consideration for Rachel’s decisions.
Who cares about Letitia? was what she wanted to say, but instead, she smirked faintly.
“Letitia has been under the weather for weeks. By the time she’s recovered enough to meddle, it’ll be too late. You’ll have made a favorable impression on someone, and the engagement will have served its purpose.”
“And if she recovers sooner? Or if Father hears about this?” Marina pressed. “You’re playing with fire here.”
Rachel could only shrug.
“You should know that I am careful around fire,” she said. “Trust me, Marina. It will work. Tonight has already proven that. Now,” she added, her voice softening, “a gentleman is waiting to ask you to dance. Go on.”
Marina did not move, folding her arms out in front of her stubbornly.
“I—”
Before she could argue further, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps. A moment later, a man appeared at the entrance of the terrace.
Marina straightened immediately, while Rachel could only smirk.
“He is approaching you,” Rachel sounded satisfied, like her point had just been proven.
“No, he is not!” Marina tried to argue. The man continued to linger, glancing nervously at Marina now.
“See?” Rachel gave her sister an encouraging nod. “See? He’s waiting. Don’t let him think you’re not interested.”
“Fine.” Marina bit down on her lip. “But this is still reckless.”
She turned and stepped back inside, leaving Rachel alone on the terrace.
Finally. A moment alone. And quite well deserved, as well.
Rachel let her shoulders sag and removed the mask that she had been wearing all night. A mask where she was put together and had everything figured out. Truthfully, she was trying to figure things out as they unfolded.
The risk was great, she knew that. But so was the reward. If this ruse could give Marina the future she deserved, then it was worth every lie and every scandal it might bring.
She just had to hope the Duke of Everly never found out.