Chapter 25 #2
“I didn’t, but that’s what Julian said to everyone.
He didn’t let Bea and I be together alone at the same time, so I couldn’t tell her the truth without her getting into further trouble.
” The wind blew her hair away from her face, and Rosalind ignored it, aware that her scars were on display.
“Now our betrothal is going to be made public tomorrow evening. Julian’s hosting a party, and he plans to declare it to everyone present. ”
Cormac’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “Even if you don’t want it?”
“I could tell him, but Julian isn’t going to listen. It’s not the first time he’s done that.” Rosalind shuddered. “I didn’t think I’d end up saying that, but the more I think about it, the more I know Julian has never had my best interests at heart. He hid his true feelings behind it all.”
“He’s a clever man. And you trusted him. It’s to be expected that you would listen.”
“I still hate that he played me. I wish William had told me about him.”
Tears prickled at her eyes, and Rosalind swiped at her face. Cormac stepped toward her, taking her hand and brushing her hair from her face. His fingers brushed over her scars, and Rosalind’s breath hitched.
That simple touch was enough to make her melt, and she hadn’t anticipated that. She wanted to lean into him, to feel that warm touch around her. It would give her some comfort.
“I know this is difficult, Rosalind,” Cormac said softly. She could feel his breath brush over her forehead. “But you need to be strong. I’m not going to leave you to deal with this alone.”
“But if nothing happens before the announcement tomorrow night…”
“A lot can happen in a day. You know that. And don’t lose hope just yet.” He smiled, his eyes softening. “I’ll make sure you’re safe. I promise. That man won’t have you as his wife.”
Looking at him, Rosalind believed him. She could see it in his eyes. Cormac meant it all. He would protect her.
This really was never about a debt. It was about the two of them.
She wanted to say more, but Theo had interrupted them, demanding that everyone played with him and chased him everywhere. A distraction was what Rosalind needed, even though she wanted another moment alone with Cormac. Preferably without anyone coming by to bother them.
She wanted to absorb the moment right before Theo joined them once more. It was giving her strength.
And it was keeping her strong as she and Theo returned back to the townhouse later on. Cormac, Hamish, and Bea had parted from her at the top of the street, hanging around as Rosalind walked away, and she already wanted to go back to them. She didn’t like being away from them.
But this was for Theo. She had to do it.
“Arabella,” she said as they went inside and took off their coats. “Could you take Theo up to the nursery? I need to speak to Mr. Ellingham.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Arabella took Theo’s hand, who was chattering away happily about the time he spent in the park, laughing about when Hamish fell over and almost ended up in the lake. Rosalind hoped Julian wouldn’t hear any of that, or would be made aware of the conversation.
She needed to make a mental note to tell Theo to be careful what he talked about. Or give him a reminder. At this point, they couldn’t carry on as normal. They had to tread carefully for now.
Her heart pounding, she went to find her brother-in-law.
She could try. This marriage couldn’t happen, especially when Rosalind wanted nothing to do with it.
Especially when she now knew, for certain, that she was being treated as something to be traded.
That was not something a person should have to be a part of.
Maybe she could get him to see reason. It was a long shot, and there was a big chance it wouldn’t happen. But she had to try. Perhaps there was a part of him that actually cared, and she had to find it.
For Theo, if nothing else.
Julian was in his study, sitting behind his desk as he looked through the papers in front of him. He didn’t look like he was concerned about some missing scraps. Rosalind had left it all with Cormac and Hamish, and she hoped Julian didn’t suspect her if he’d noticed.
She did her best not to look at the wall where the secret passage was hidden. Julian knew nothing about it, and she wasn’t about to give him a hint.
“What do you want, Rosalind?” Julian asked without looking up. “This can’t be a random call to see if I’m still alive.”
“Well…”
She looked at the top of his head, and wondered how long Julian had been this bitter. It was frightening to know that he’d been plotting this for a long time, and that William had likely been aware of it. He’d wanted to protect her and their son.
And Julian had outplayed them.
Just not completely. And not yet.
Her throat tightened. She knew William would want her to stand up for what she believed was right.
The words came out in a rush.
“I won’t marry Sir Crispin.”
That got his attention. Julian looked up, blinking in surprise.
“What? Where has this come from?”
“You heard me. I won’t marry him.” Rosalind squared her shoulders.
“I made it clear that I didn’t want to get married, and you ignored me.
Now I’m being paraded around like a trophy, and I hate it.
Sir Crispin clearly hates me as well, so why would you arrange for it? I won’t say yes at the wedding.”
There was a moment of silence, and Rosalind felt the tension tighten immediately. She felt the apprehension tickling at the back of her neck. Then Julian sat back, regarding her with an expression that made her feel cold.
“Do you think you even have an option here, Rosalind?” he asked.
“I…”
“You’re going to do as you’re told. That’s what you’re going to do. And you don’t get to argue who you are going to marry.”
“It’s meant to be my choice as well,” Rosalind pointed out. “And I refuse. I always have, but you’ve never listened. It’s like my decision doesn’t matter.”
“You’re right about that. It doesn’t.”
He stood up and stalked around the desk.
Rosalind resisted the urge to step back and get away from him.
She didn’t see it often, but Julian’s sudden mood changes were not something she was used to.
He’d been calm and relaxed, but now he looked angry, a type that looked like he needed to nudge things back into order.
His jaw was tight, and he looked like he was going to strike her.
Rosalind could feel her pulse racing, and it seemed to close up her throat.
Julian stood before her, a little too close for comfort as he looked her up and down. Then he leaned slightly toward her before whispering.
“You are going to do what you’re told. You are not going to argue, and you’ll become Lady Rosalind Vane.”
“No,” she said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t think you understand what you’re saying there.
” His eyes glittered dangerously. “A boy Theo’s age can be fragile.
And children are not known to be strong.
When they’re hit with an illness, it takes everything out of them, especially when it’s…
frequent. And if they’re healthy, they’re always falling over and hurting themselves.
Who knew being a child could be so dangerous? ”
Now Rosalind felt very cold. She clenched her fists at her sides.
“Are you threatening me? You’d hurt your nephew?”
“If you don’t do as you’re told, I’m sure something could happen to Theo.” He stepped away and held up his hands. “But that’s just life, isn’t it? We don’t know what’s going to happen to anybody. Especially the little ones we love. We don’t want them to be harmed so young, do we?”
Rosalind didn’t need to guess what he was saying. Theo was in danger, and if she didn’t do as she was told, something would happen to him. Julian was not above hurting a child.
She didn’t even recognize the man standing before her. Maybe she really didn’t know him. He’d hidden things very well when William had been alive.
Now he wasn’t bothering to hide it.
“I’m glad we understand each other now,” Julian said, looking pleased as he turned away. “Now, if you don’t mind? I’m very busy at the moment. I want to get all this sorted before tomorrow night.”
Rosalind couldn’t do anything to that. She knew she was beaten. Her heart sinking, she left the room.
Only to collapse to the floor in the hallway, burying her face in her hands.