Page 73 of If the Duke Dares
Persephone saw no reason to ignore the subject that pricked her parents the most. “Socially or financially?”
“Mind your tongue,” her mother said sharply.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, mind yours,” Aunt Lucinda retorted. “You can’t demand Persephone marry someone. She is of age to make her own decisions.”
Surprisingly, the baron responded to his sister. “That may be, but after her actions in Cirencester, she has demonstrated an inability to make sound ones. Edith and I thought it best if we saw Persephone settled.Immediately.”
“I won’t marry him,” Persephone repeated.
“I’m afraid you have no choice,” her mother said, sounding weary. “Your father has already negotiated the contract.”
“And how much did Cousin Harold pay?” Persephone couldn’t help the snide question. Except, the flustered expression on her father’s face and the way her mother looked quickly away made Persephone’s heart race. “He didn’tpayyou to marry me, did he?”
“That doesn’t matter,” her father said crossly.
Aunt Lucinda had sat at some point, but now she stood. “This is unconscionable.” She moved to Persephone and put her arm around her shoulders. “We’ll find a way to break this contract. Unlike your parents, I have the financial means to take care of this and of you.” She met Persephone’s gaze. “If you’ll allow me to.”
“Yes, please,” she said softly, never more grateful for her aunt’s love and concern. In hindsight, she should have left her parents and come to live with Aunt Lucinda years ago. But that had not been offered—not that Aunt Lucinda would have disallowed it. She’d often made overtures of assistance, both financial and otherwise, and Persephone’s father, beholden to his ridiculous pride, had always declined them.
The baron’s eyes narrowed, glittering with anger, as he looked toward his sister. “I’ve asked you time and again not to meddle with my family. Do not flaunt your wealth in my face. I’ve negotiated a favorable marriage formydaughter. Breaking the contract will ruin us in every way.”
“That is not my concern, nor is it Persephone’s,” Aunt Lucinda said coldly. Persephone could feel her shaking with rage. “You should want your daughter’s happiness above all else, especially your own financial comfort, which is a mess of your own making, by the way. If our father could see what you’ve done—” She abruptly stopped, and Persephone put her arm around her aunt’s waist, giving her a squeeze.
“You’ll ruin Persephone,” the baroness said. “Mrs. Carmichael is even now telling everyone that Persephone is betrothed. If she cries off, she will be a pariah.”
Persephone nearly laughed. She hadn’t even been aware she was being betrothed, and yetshewould pay the price.
The baroness put her finger to her lips. “But, if Pandora and Wellesbourne are truly forming a match, then all may yet be well. Still, it’s best if Persephone marries Cousin Harold. It would cause strife in the family if she did not.”
Persephone scoffed. “I don’t think the duke will be as eager to pay you off as Cousin Harold was.”
“That may be true, which is why you must marry Cousin Harold. This will settle our debts, and everyone can start fresh on happier ground.” The baroness clasped her hands in her lap as if she’d just claimed victory in a game.
But that was all Persephone was to them—a pawn they could maneuver to suit their own needs. Except she wasn’t going to capitulate. She had Aunt Lucinda’s support. And anyway, she’d been prepared for a life of spinsterhood from the moment she’d left them in Cirencester.
“You underestimate my need to make my own choices,” Persephone said quietly. “I won’t let you manipulate me—or Pandora. You should just go back to Radstock Hall. Perhaps you should sell another painting, if there are any of value left.” There were, of course, because the baron had been unable to part with a select number. He was an absolute slave to his pride and sense of status.
“You ungrateful chit—” The baroness began, but Aunt Lucinda cut her off.
“Please leave,” Aunt Lucinda barked. “You are no longer welcome here.”
The baron sputtered. “We just arrived!”
“Go on, then.” Aunt Lucinda shooed at them.
Reluctantly, Persephone’s parents stood. The baron fixed Persephone with a dark stare. “Think on this long and hard, my girl. You cannot undo what’s been done.”
“No, you cannot,” Persephone said sadly. “I do hope one day you reflect back on this and realize the course you’ve chosen to take is one you can’t return from.”
His brow creased with confusion, and Persephone could see that he didn’t, at least for now, understand what she was saying. They—her mother was most certainly of the same mind—didn’t comprehend how they were breaking their family apart with their selfishness.Theywere the ones who would ruin the family, not Persephone and not Pandora.
They left the drawing room, and Persephone sagged against her aunt.
“We cannot go to the Pump Room now,” Persephone said. “I’ll send a note to the duke.”
Aunt Lucinda pivoted to face her. “We could still go.”
Persephone shook her head. “I’d rather not. I’m too upset. Can you really break this contract with Cousin Harold?”
