Page 39 of Bad Luck Bride

“I hope this isn’t a disagreement I’m hearing,” Magdelene said brightly as she entered the sitting room, Josephine on her heels.

Kay took a deep breath and turned to her mother, grateful for the interruption. “Not at all, Mama. The Duke of Westbourne is having a soiree for the opening of his new hotel, and we’ve all been invited. But because Mr. Sharpe also owns part of the hotel, he’s sure to be there as well.”

“What an appalling prospect,” Magdelene cried, giving a shudder. “We can’t possibly go.”

“Just what I was saying, Lady Raleigh,” Wilson interjectedbefore Kay could reply. “I have explained to Kay that she will have to make some excuse.”

“And I explained to Wilson,” Kay put in, “that I have already accepted the invitation.”

“Kay!” Magdelene cried. “What were you thinking?”

“I thought,” she said uncompromisingly, “that Wilson would want me to accept.”

“That’s true,” Josephine put in, coming to her defense. “She did. We discussed it.”

Josephine was ignored.

“Well, now we have to go,” Magdelene wailed. “Oh, dear. Oh, dear. This is a fine kettle of fish.”

Wilson’s glass slammed down on the top of the liquor cabinet loudly enough to make all three women jump, but when he spoke, his voice was silky—dangerously so. “Kay is not going. I refuse to allow it. I hope,” he added, turning to her mother, “that’s clear?”

Mama visibly wilted. Swallowing hard, she nodded.

Just like with Papa, Kay thought, dismayed by the realization. Some things never changed.

“Now,” Wilson said, breaking into Kay’s suddenly bleak thoughts, “I have to be going. I have a dinner meeting.”

“Wait,” Kay implored, following him as he started for the door. “Can we not at least discuss this?”

He paused, turning to give her that hard stare of his, but Kay didn’t want to become her mother, not if she could help it. She didn’t wilt. Instead, she took a deep breath and improvised. “I’m thinking of Josephine. She really ought to be allowed to go.”

“Of course she can go,” he said as he opened the door into thecorridor. “Magdelene can take her. You will stay here with a sick headache.”

“But, really—”

“My dear Kay.” He paused, the door half open, and leaned close to her. “I’m thinking of Josephine, too,” he said so softly that only she could hear. “I’m thinking of the dowry she’ll need to marry well.”

He had just played the trump card, and they both knew it.

Once again feeling a bit like a puppet on a string, Kay forced herself to smile. “Of course. Shall we see you on Friday for the Royal Academy opening?”

He gave a nod of agreement and departed, much to Kay’s relief, but the door had barely closed behind him before Magdelene let out a wail.

“Oh, Kay,” she cried, “you mustn’t antagonize him. You simply mustn’t!”

“I hadn’t meant to,” she murmured, rubbing a hand over her forehead with a sigh.

“If he breaks the engagement, what will happen to us? How will we pay our bills? Where will we live? Without Wilson, we’ll be destitute.” Her voice was rising dramatically with every word, but Kay knew that Magdelene was not merely giving in to her histrionic instincts. The fear her mother felt was deep and genuine.

“And what about Josephine?” Magdelene continued when she didn’t reply. “How will she ever—”

“Don’t bring me into this!” Josephine cried. “Kay needs to do what’s best for her. We’ll be all right, whatever happens.”

“Thank you, darling,” Kay said, but she knew Jo was being naïve.She sank into a chair, suddenly, terribly tired. “Don’t worry,” she added, giving her sister a reassuring smile. “It’s all a fuss about nothing. After all, I didn’t really want to go to the blasted party anyway.”

She didn’t add that she also knew when she was beaten. That admission was too wretched to make out loud.

8

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