Chapter 2
Two
AMbrOSE
T he front door slammed as another of Evelyn’s ‘suitors’ stormed out.
She sat calmly beside me, unaffected by it all.
When I’d told her of Father’s plans, she’d threatened to run away.
Since I didn’t want that for her, I instead convinced her to work with me.
Together, we systematically chased off every suitor Father could throw at us.
It was even enjoyable. The pompous old codgers had delicate egos.
It was fun to see how easily we could insult them without being outright combative.
Stretching my arms above my head, I sighed. “Was that the fastest?”
Evelyn smirked and shook her head. “Lord Bartlby left within the first five minutes, remember?”
Ah. I’d forgotten about him. Granted, he hadn’t been here long.
Father stormed back into the room, red-faced and fuming. “I’ve had enough out of the two of you! This is not some game! You are ruining the family reputation!”
I gave him a bored expression. “We have done nothing but get to know them, Father. Do you really want to give your only daughter away to such fragile old men? That would be more of an embarrassment to the family name, in my opinion.”
“No one asked you,” Father hissed.
He could throw as many tantrums as he wanted, but he wasn’t going to change my mind. I wasn’t going to back down until Evelyn was happy. He knew it, and he knew better than to try. He couldn’t afford to chase me away.
He gave me a look filled with vitriol before storming out of the house, slamming the front door so hard, a portrait fell off the wall. Once he was gone, Evelyn relaxed, slumping on the sofa. “Thank goodness.”
I huffed a laugh, patting her hand. “It won’t be much longer. He can’t have that many friends, and I’m sure word has spread already.”
“I hope you’re right,” she murmured, eyes straying toward the window. She hadn’t been allowed to do the shopping since she tried introducing Father to Beau. I knew she missed him.
Pulling a letter out of my breast pocket, I handed it to her. “Here.”
Surprised, she sat up and took the letter, sucking in a breath when she realized who it was from. “How…”
“He came to see me,” I said, lifting my shoulder. “He wanted to know if you were okay.”
We also had a few drinks together because he looked like shit, but that wasn’t important.
When I told him I’d pass on any messages for him, he was elated, and he had a letter waiting for me the very next morning.
I hadn’t given it to Evelyn before now because I hadn’t had the opportunity without Father noticing.
“Read it in your room, and keep it hidden. We don’t want Father to see it.”
She nodded, hugging the letter to her chest. “Thank you, Ambrose. I don’t know what would have happened without you.”
“I don’t even want to imagine it,” I grouched. If Father had his way, my sweet little sister would be married off to an old man and pumping out babies already. I shuddered to even think of it. “I need to go. Sebastian is waiting for me.”
She waved me off, already heading for her room. I smirked, shaking my head as I left the house. I had work to do, and my son was waiting at home for me. He absolutely hated when I was late. I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t head home now.
Several hours later, I was still the recipient of Sebastian’s ire.
No amount of coaxing would get him to lighten up.
Not until I told him the truth. I’d wanted to keep him out of it—he was still young, only nine—but he liked to point out that I coddled him too much.
After his mother died, I was afraid of him growing up too soon.
But in this situation, I needed to be honest with him.
So after dinner, I sat down with him and explained what was happening.
“Why wouldn’t Grandpa want Aunty Evie to marry Beau?” he queried with a frown. “He’s great! He makes rolls and hands them out when school is done.”
I hadn’t known that and smiled at the thought. It was just another reason Evelyn belonged with Beau.
“Grandpa is only interested in what he considers an advantageous match. A match that will bring more power or money to our family. It’s not right, and it’s not what I want for your aunt.
I don’t want him forcing her into anything, so I’ve been joining them for these meetings to protect her.
I didn’t mean to be late, but it’s possible I will be for a little while more until Grandpa gets the picture. ”
Sebastian’s brows drew together tightly. “Well, why didn’t you say that? I want to help! Let me go too!”
“I’m not sure how helpful you would be and?—”
A heavy pounding on the door made us both jump. It wasn’t completely out of the ordinary for frantic people to visit my home if they needed a doctor, but it didn’t happen often. I wasn’t well-liked, and they only called on me when there was no other option.
I hurried to the door, throwing it open as I reached for my jacket, already preparing myself for a long night in the clinic. I came to an abrupt halt when I saw who stood outside.
“Beau? What’s going on?”
“It’s Evelyn,” he panted, like he’d run across town to get here quickly. “A maid overheard Lord McKinley’s plans, shared them with me when doing the shopping for the family. Your father is going to rig the lottery. He’s going to send her to the barbarians.”
Blood drained from my face. Normally, I paid little attention to the barbarian lottery. My father had enough power that he could circumvent it, so there was never any fear that Evelyn would be part of the draw. I hadn’t thought he would be angry enough to toss her to the wolves.
“When is the draw?” I demanded.
“Now,” he answered, his eyes wide and filled with terror and worry. “He’s got her locked in her room. I tried talking to him, Ambrose, but he won’t listen to reason!”
Growling, I beckoned Sebastian. “Go with Beau to the bakery. I might be back late.”
“But I want to come!” Sebastian argued.
I didn't have time to argue with him. I had to get to Evelyn before it was too late. I pushed him at Beau, grabbing my coat. “Take him. I don’t want him home alone while I deal with this. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
Beau nodded, hauling Sebastian off his feet when he tried to run after me. I heard him shouting and arguing as I ran toward my family home, but I didn't look back. I would have a lot of groveling to do once I handled this. I’d be lucky if he forgave me in the next month.
I heard the crowd of voices as I approached the town square.
Every year, they held the lottery, picking an eligible woman at random to send to the barbarian clans in exchange for them leaving us alone.
It had been decided a long time ago that one life was better than constantly being attacked and having women stolen from their homes year round.
Not all clans were bad—the mayor’s daughter was part of a good one—but there were some that were downright terrifying.
It was always a scary thing to be chosen, not knowing what would happen.
It wasn’t something I ever wanted for my sister.
“Evelyn McKinley!”
My heart stuttered in my chest, and I came to an abrupt halt as I heard my sister’s name called out over the crowd. I was too late. Now that the town knew she was chosen, there was no going back. The mayor wouldn’t allow it. It would be seen as favoritism, and there would be an uproar.
There was only one thing I could do to save her life, and it wasn’t going to be easy.
After running back to the bakery to explain the plan to Beau and Sebastian, I left them to prepare a carriage while I headed back for my sister.
I didn’t go through the front door, knowing Father expected me to come and put up a fight.
Instead, I climbed the trellis outside Evelyn’s window, knocking lightly to get her attention.
I knew she was alone thanks to the maid who’d warned Beau about what was happening, but I wasn’t sure she’d hear me over her cries. She sounded heartbroken.
When she didn’t answer, I knocked a little harder. I heard her suck in a sharp breath and a second later, the curtains were drawn back and her tear-stained face appeared in the window.
“Ambrose?”
“Open up,” I demanded.
She did so promptly, opening the window for me to climb in. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m getting you out of here. Beau is waiting at the bakery with a carriage. Pack only what you can carry. You’re going to stay with his aunt until the wedding.”
Her face lit up with hope, but it was gone in a second, and she shook her head, her bottom lip trembling. “I can’t, Ambrose. The whole town knows I was chosen. If I’m not here when they show up, the town would turn against us. They’d hurt you and Father. And Sebastian…”
“I thought of that, too. You’re taking Seb with you. I already told him the plan, and he’s waiting with Beau. Just until I can pack up my practice. Then I’ll join you. Father is the one who got us into this mess. He can suffer the consequences.”
She tried to argue, but I refused to listen. I wasn’t letting my little sister get sent away to who knows where just because our father was throwing a tantrum. I helped her climb out the window, watching to make sure she made it all the way down before moving to follow her.
The door flew open, and town guards spilled in, surrounding me.
I heard Evelyn’s cry and knew they’d gotten to her, too.
Fury filled me, and I threw a few punches in an attempt to get free, but I was outnumbered and quickly subdued.
They dragged me out of Evelyn’s room and to the parlor, where Father and the mayor waited.
Evelyn joined us a moment later, tears streaming down her face. Swinging around, I glared at my father.
“Is this really what you want? You’d rather hand your daughter to barbarians than let her be happy with the man she loves?”
The mayor shook his head, his face a mask of understanding. “The lottery is random, Ambrose, you know this. Your sister was chosen, and it’s her duty to join a barbarian clan to protect our town. I understand you’re worried, but?—”
I tuned out his little speech. He appeared to be unaware my father had rigged the lottery to punish me and Evelyn. My mind scrambled for something to do, some way to protect her, but only one thing came to mind.
Sebastian was going to kill me.
“I volunteer as tribute,” I said, interrupting the mayor.
“No!” Father bellowed. I ignored him. I could protect myself. Evelyn couldn’t. The plan we’d come up with could still work as long as I got the attention off of her. And the lottery was always second to volunteers. The mayor wouldn’t turn his back on that.
Locking eyes with the mayor, I glared at him. “Take me instead.”