Page 5 of A Raven Reformed

“But what about what I wanted?” She pointed at her chest, where inside, her heart was breaking. She’d trusted them. Lizzie, Mr. Carlyle, Brodwell, they were the only family she had.

“I know this is hard, Belle. But we need to discuss what is going to happen.”

Belle scoffed. “Nothing is going to happen. I’m not going to go with him, and I’m certainly not going to marry him.”

Belle watched as Lizzie straightened her spine, preparing herself for battle. “The marriage contracts are long since signed, the chapel is reserved, and the crossing to England already booked. I’m afraid you don’t have any choice in the matter.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Now sit down so we can talk about it.”

Belle did sit down, but not out of obedience. Her legs were suddenly weak and her head had begun to spin. Surely she’d misheard. “What do you mean the chapel is reserved?”

“He wants you to be wed before your crossing in order to preserve your reputation.”

“Well, he won’t need to worry about my reputation, because I’m staying here. He can sail by himself back to England and find a different wife. Surely there must be a woman in that country who will have him.”

“I know you’re upset, Belle, but this is a good thing. He’s a decent man. You’ll be a countess for goodness’ sake. What more could you possibly want?”

“Not that!” Belle jerked to her feet and paced to the window.

“I’m sorry, Belle, but you will marry him on Wednesday morning, and we’ll board the ship directly after the ceremony.”

Belle whipped around. “Wednesday? That’s two days from now.”

Lizzie simply nodded.

“I won’t do it.” Determination was like a rock inside of her, and Belle grabbed hold. She would not allow her entire life to be turned upside down. “You can’t make me,” she said with as much conviction as she could muster. “And if you try, so help me, I will sack you.”

Lizzie closed her eyes for a moment before responding. “Belle, sweetheart?—”

“Do you think I’m bluffing? I will do it. I will sack the lot of you.”

Lizzie threw her hands up. “We don’t work for you. We work for him. We all work for him, Belle. And who do you think owns this house? Hmm?” She let out a huff and shook her head.

Ice spread through Belle’s stomach. It couldn’t be true. But of course it was. She’d never even wondered who owned this house and who paid the servants’ salaries, who bought her clothes, or paid for her education. Mr. Carlyle took care of all of the finances. There was never any talk of money and there was always plenty of it. She’d always known her father had been wealthy and had just stupidly assumed he’d left the money for her. But of course he hadn’t, she was his daughter. He would have had to have left it to a man. How could she possibly have been so ridiculously oblivious of that fact? Her anguish peaked and shattered the last of her control.

“Get out!” she shrieked, pointing at the door.

Lizzie slowly shook her head. She sat down and clasped her hands in her lap. “You don’t have to talk to me, but I’m not leaving you in here alone so you can sneak out that window. In fact,” she said, getting up and pushing the chair over in front of said window. “Just in case I fall asleep.” Then she sat back down, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

Belle wanted to scream. Lizzie was supposed to be on her side. Instead, she was forcing her into a marriage she didn’t want, and now she had blocked her only way out of her room. If she went through the door, she risked running into Lord Dalinridge, the last person she wanted to see right now. Or ever again, for that matter.

“Fine.” She stomped over to the bed and threw herself onto its surface.

She lay on the bed, the events of the evening tumbling round and round through her head, waves of panic, anger, and despair taking turns crashing over her. At some point, shortly before dawn, exhaustion finally overtook her, and she slipped into a fitful sleep.

Belle groaned as Lizzie gently shook her awake some hours later. Bright sun blazed through the window, and her aching head throbbed in response. All at once the events of the previous day flooded her mind. She looked at Lizzie in a panic, hoping beyond hope that it had all been a horrible nightmare, but the exhaustion on Lizzie’s face confirmed her fears.

Lizzie threw back the blankets and reached for Belle’s hand. Numbness settled over her. She didn’t have the energy to fight anymore, so she simply acquiesced. They didn’t share a single word as Lizzie helped her to change her clothes and style her hair. When Belle was presentable, Lizzie walked across to the door and opened it to leave, but Belle didn’t follow her.

Lizzie came back to her side. “I know you’re angry with me, but I do love you, Belle, and I hope one day you’ll understand that all of this is for your own good.”

Belle simply rolled her eyes and turned away.

“Lord Dalinridge has requested an audience with you.”

Belle continued to ignore her.

“It’s past breakfast time, but would you like to do it around the table with a meal? Or in the study?”

“I’m not going to talk to him,” Belle said flatly.

---