Page 55 of A Scandalous Bargain
Selina’s lip curled. “No thanks to him.” She gave Beatrix’s leg a firm pat. “He’s right that life isn’t fair and that you’ve come a long way. Which is precisely why you don’t need him. You will shortly have the backing of the Earl and Countess of Aylesbury.”
“I’m just sorry that the duke is now aware of the fact that I’ve lied about being your sister, and that you—and now Rafe—have gone along with that lie.” They’d known they were risking themselves, but Beatrix had never imagined things would go this poorly.
“Does he mean to expose us?”
Beatrix heard the hitch in her voice and hated that she might be worried about this. “I don’t think so. He was rather clear that we could just avoid each other and that would make him happy. I don’t think he wants to cause trouble—provided I don’t cause any for him.”
Selina let out a breath. “That’s a relief, but I am still very sorry. This wasn’t the result you were hoping for.”
No, it wasn’t. She’d spent so long, her entire life it seemed, looking for a way to get back to the family she’d known and loved as a child. She should have realized that family was long gone, that it had died with her mother.
A sudden wave of sadness engulfed her. When she got home, she wanted to go directly to her chamber and dive under the coverlet of her bed where she’d stay for the next week. Or mayhap a year.
No, she couldn’t do that. Selina was getting married on Tuesday, and Beatrix would be standing beside her as witness in the church. Theyweresisters in every way that mattered.
Beatrix looked over at Selina and blinked back the tears in her eyes. “The duke made me realize one thing. I mean, I already knew it, but I will never, ever take it for granted.”
“What’s that?”
“Family is who we choose. Blood doesn’t matter.”
Selina smiled. “No, it doesn’t. You will never be rid of me.”
“Nor you of me.”
They hugged each other, which was a bit awkward in the small space of the coach. Laughing, they sat back as they turned into Cavendish Square.
“Grieve. Rage. Wallow. Do whatever you must,” Selina said. “But only until Tuesday. From then on, you will strike a new path. Think about what you want that to look like.” She gave Beatrix a pointed look of encouragement.
A new path. The future lay before Beatrix. The only thing she knew for certain was that she was going to get her mother’s jewels.
