Page 96 of The Lady Glass
“Of course. I was only obeying my husband’s orders. Money is nothing to me.” Her voice rang false, and she put a shaking arm around Helena. “Helena and I only desire to reunite with Miss Dvorak. Isn’t that right, dearest? We do regret our missed time together.”
Theresia’s jaw dropped. Even now her stepmother wanted to leach herself to Lord Barrack and his son’s good name.
Rolland tightened his hold on Theresia. “Any visits will be made on my wife’s terms. Miss Shields will be welcome to our house, but never you. The courts will decide your fate, along with your husband’s.”
“Court? Me?” Lady Caspar’s laugh was shrill. “Surely not. Is this about the London house? She can have her father’s miserable house.”
“Follow us, Lady Caspar,” His Grace said, motioning the footmen to escort Lord Caspar from the room.
Lady Caspar hurried forward, her hand striking the back of her husband with a slap of her hand. “You have ruined me!” She turned suddenly on Theresia. “No, this is all your fault!” she screamed.
“Mama, please!” Helena cried.
But it was too late. Lady Caspar dove at Theresia.
Theresia instinctively turned to wrap her arms around Rolland, who curled his own protectively around her. Lord Barrack rushed forward just in time, taking hold of Lady Caspar and holding her back.
“Control yourself!” Lord Caspar thundered, looking over his shoulder. “We did nothing wrong and will plead our case with dignity.”
His Grace stepped forward and took Lady Caspar’s other arm, and he and Lord Barrack escorted her from the room.
When the door swung shut behind them, Lord Cadogen sighed. “The new duke certainly knows how to throw a party.”
Theresia’s short laugh sounded more like a cry.
“Forgive me,” Lord Cadogen said. “I should have started with congratulations.” He set his hand on Rolland’s arm. “Not just for saving your father and who knows how many other lives but for finding someone special to share your life with. I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
Rolland released Theresia and swung his arm around Lord Cadogen’s back. “Thank you, for everything. A man learns who his true friends are in times like these, and you and Marcus will always be family to me now.”
Lord Cadogen gave a slow nod. “The same goes for the two of you. You will always be welcome at Braitwood Hall. And if Andalin has her way, you’ll be visiting before Christmas.”
Theresia stepped away from the men toward Helena, who stood silently in the background, her gaze glossed over and her skin pale. She’d lost a great deal in a single moment and was not at all to blame.
“Helena . . .”
Helena blinked a few times and swung her gaze to meet Theresia.
“I... I am so sorry you had to see this.”
Helena’s face crumpled, and her hand covered her mouth, silencing a sob before it escaped.
Theresia wrapped Helena carefully in her arms, not certain the embrace would be welcome. Her fears were erased a moment later when Helena returned the hug, clinging to her as if Theresia would keep her rooted to a world that was quickly slipping away.
“No matter what happens, Helena, you will always have a home with me.”
“Th-thank you.” She pulled back slowly. “Would anyone mind if I turned in for the night? I do not think I could face the ballroom again.”
“Go right ahead,” Theresia said. “I will check on you later.” Her heart squeezed inside her. Maybe she hadn’t lost all her family after all.
Lord Cadogen opened the door for Helena, and after she disappeared through it, he said, “I will leave you two and find Andalin before she worries about me—which, I am sad to say, probably happens more than I care to admit.” He dipped his head toward Theresia and Rolland and left the room.
Rolland turned to her and held out his arms. She could not refuse his invitation. A few steps later and she had her arms around his waist. Unfortunately, the pleasure was short-lived. The door burst open.
Andalin and Tansy stumbled into the room.
“Theresia!” Tansy cried. “You’re back!”
Rolland released her, and the women simultaneously embraced her.
