Chapter 20 #2
Cassandra's composure cracked slightly. "Mr. Harrington suggested it was time for truth."
"How noble of him," Julian said, studying Harrington with suspicion.
"I believe in truth," Harrington said.
"You believe in something," Julian agreed. "Though I doubt it's as pure as truth."
"What are you implying?"
"Nothing. Yet."
"The point is," Cassandra interrupted, "now you know. Matilda was leaving Lucien, I accidentally caused the fire, and everyone's miserable. Happy?"
"Ecstatic," Arabella said dryly. "Though I'm curious why Mr. Harrington brought you here."
"He didn't bring me. We travelled together."
"At whose suggestion?"
"Does it matter?"
"Everything matters," Julian said, still watching Harrington. "Especially when it comes to money."
"Money?" Harrington said too quickly. "What does money have to do with anything?"
"That's what I'm wondering. Cassandra, darling, you're practically dripping in jewels. New, if I'm not mistaken."
"A lady's jewelry is hardly..."
"And Mr. Harrington, those are expensive boots for a man who was reportedly in debt just weeks ago."
"My finances are none of your concern."
"They are when they involve my friends."
"How could they possibly..."
"Blackmail," Arabella said suddenly. "You're blackmailing her."
The room went silent. Cassandra's face drained of color while Harrington's expression hardened.
"That's absurd," he said.
"Is it? You know she caused the fire. That's worth quite a bit to keep quiet."
"Even if that were true..."
"It is true," Julian said with satisfaction. "It's written all over both your faces."
"You can't prove anything."
"I don't need to. Cassandra just confessed to causing the fire. With witnesses."
"Accidentally!" Cassandra protested.
"Still caused it. Still hid it. That's enough for serious consequences."
"You wouldn't dare..."
"Wouldn't I?" Lucien spoke for the first time in minutes. "You let me suffer for two years. You watched me blame myself, isolate myself, nearly destroy myself with guilt. And now I find you're being blackmailed about it?"
"It's not my fault he's greedy!"
"Everything about this is your fault."
"I was trying to help!"
"You were trying to get me back. There's a difference."
"Same thing."
"Not even close."
"Lucien," Arabella said gently, seeing him trembling with rage. "Let's go. We have what we came for."
"The truth?"
"The truth. Matilda was unhappy but didn't deserve to die. The fire was an accident. Your guilt was misplaced."
"And Cassandra?"
"She is pitiful."
"I beg your pardon!" Cassandra screeched.
"You're being blackmailed by a third-rate schemer because you can't let go of a man who never loved you. That's the definition of pitiful."
"How dare you?"
"I dare because I can. Because I have what you want and you'll never get it."
"You have nothing!"
"I have Lucien. His love, his child, his future. You have... what? Debts to a blackmailer and empty schemes?"
Cassandra launched herself at Arabella with a shriek, but Julian caught her easily. Cordelia who was watching silently managed to throw herself in front of Arabella to protect her as well.
"Now, now," he said pleasantly. "Can't have you attacking a pregnant woman. Very bad form."
"I'll destroy you," Cassandra snarled at Arabella. "Both of you."
"You can try," Arabella said calmly. "But you'll fail. You always do."
"This isn't over!"
"Yes," Lucien said quietly, "it is. You have no more power over me. The guilt is gone, the truth is known, and I've moved on. You should too."
"I'll never..."
"You will. Because if you don't, I'll ensure everyone knows what you did. Accidentally or not, you caused Matilda's death and hid it. That's enough to ruin you completely."
"You wouldn't."
"Try me."
They stared at each other for a long moment, then Cassandra deflated.
"I loved you," she said quietly.
"No. You loved the idea of me. There's a difference."
"I could have made you happy."
"No. You'd have made us both miserable. Arabella makes me happy."
"The girl who fell in a lake?"
"The woman who dived in to save what she loved," he corrected. "Something you'd never understand."
"Get out," Harrington said suddenly. "All of you."
"This isn't your house," Julian pointed out.
"I've rented it."
"With what money?"
"That's not your concern."
"Everything about you concerns me now," Julian said pleasantly. "You're quite the mystery, Mr. Harrington."
"I'm Matilda's cousin. That's all."
"Is it? Because I've been doing some investigating."
"When?" Lucien asked.
"I had time to do it."
"What did you find?" Lucien asked.
"Our Mr. Harrington has quite the reputation. Gambling debts across three countries."
"That's not..."
"All mysteriously paid after Matilda's death."
The room went silent.
"Her inheritance," Arabella breathed. "You inherited from her."
"She was my cousin. It's perfectly legal."
"But suspicious. She dies right before leaving the country, and you get everything?"
"Are you suggesting I killed her?"
"I'm suggesting you benefited from her death."
"The fire was an accident! You heard Lady Velott."
"I heard Lady Velott confess to knocking over a candle. But fires can be helped along."
"This is ridiculous!"
"Is it? You were helping her leave. You knew the house. You could have ensured the fire spread."
"I was at an inn!"
"Were you? Can you prove it?"
Harrington's face went red. "I don't have to prove anything to you."
"No," Julian agreed. "But you might have to prove it to the authorities."
"You can't..."
"I can. I will. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless you leave. Now. Today. And never contact any of us again."
"That's blackmail!"
"That's negotiation. Take it or leave it."
Harrington looked between them all—Julian's pleasant threat, Lucien's cold fury, Arabella's protective stance, even Thistle growling softly from the doorway.
"Fine," he spat. "But this isn't over."
"Yes," Lucien said firmly, "it is."
Harrington stormed out, pausing at the door. "You'll regret this. All of you."
"Doubtful," Julian said cheerfully. "But do try. It's entertaining."
After he left, Cassandra sank onto the settee, suddenly looking older and defeated.
"What am I supposed to do now?" she asked plaintively.
"Whatever you want," Arabella said. "Just do it away from us."
"I have nothing. He's taken everything."
"Then rebuild. Start over. Find something besides revenge to live for."
"Easy for you to say. You have everything."
"I have everything because I risked everything. You risk nothing but scheme for all."
"I don't know how to do anything else."