Page 37 of Always a Princess

“The duke?” Thea’s mind was jumbled as she tried to process his words.

“Carlton. He wanted me to be aware of exactly what was happening—a fact I appreciate since I didn’t realize I had taken in a liar under my roof all those years ago.”

“What?”

“That grief-stricken girl you were neglected to mention she’d married an Indian. And that you got my brother killed!”

“What?”

“You deny it?”

Waves of confusion, grief, regret, and fear lashed Thea as her uncle stepped closer.

“I didn’t kill my parents. Whoever told you that is lying. They drowned in a ferry accident. It was a horrible tragedy.”

“After you disgraced them by marrying an Indian!”

“Who told you?”

“So, it is true.”

“Yes. That part is true.”

“Had I known, I never would have let you into my home or near my daughters. And now, you’ve filled their heads with nonsense for ten years. No longer. You’re done. Pack your bags. After tonight, you’ll not spend another night under this roof. I’ll not feed you another meal.”

His prejudice—his hatred—was blinding and bordering on insanity.

“And to think, I treated you like one of my own daughters. Any one of those men wagering can have you, as far as I’m concerned. What they want is all you’re fit for now.”

Thea’s heart felt the slash and burn of his words, but her mind knew they were irrational. He was enraged. Hatred did that to people.

“Father? Why are you yelling at Thea?” Sophia’s voice came from the hall.

“Go back to bed. You’re meeting your future husband tomorrow. I’ve received an offer for your hand.”

“What?” The word came from Thea and Sophia together.

“You, shut up and pack,” he said to Thea.

“Father!” Sophia exclaimed. “Listen to yourself. Are you okay?”

“I am doing this to protect you. You won’t understand now, but someday, you will see I had no choice.”

“You always have a choice.” Louisa’s voice came from behind Sophia.

“I didn’t want for you to have to marry an industrialist and speculator, but you shall. Mr. Beaumont will be here to call on you tomorrow, Louisa. He has made his preference for you known. I expect he will offer for you when he arrives, and you will accept.”

“Father? What is happening?” Louisa replied.

“You will accept or face the ruin brought on us all by your cousin. As soon as word of her past gets out, your prospects will be gone. Dead, like her parents. You can thank me later.”

Thea sucked in a breath. How could she have been near floating up the stairs only minutes ago and now want to crawl into bed and cry?

But self-pity and falling apart wouldn’t help. They never did.

“Girls, listen to your father and go to bed. You will need the rest.”

“I need to know who I am marrying,” Sophia said.