Page 5

CHAPTER 5

T he Duke had scarcely walked out of the door before her father rounded on her, the veins in his temples bulging as though they would burst at any moment.

“Ava, how foolish can you possibly be? Attacking the Duke and telling him he cannot marry your sister!”

“Father, that man is lying,” Ava said calmly.

Yes, she had said those things. However, the Duke had also said unkind things to her.

“And yet, when he stood here and spoke of the things you had said to him, you did not deny it,” her father retorted.

“Yes, I might have said some of those things, but I only did it for good reason,” she argued.

“What reason could possibly be good enough for you to anger a man so powerful and ruin your sister’s chance to marry one of the most eligible bachelors in all of London? Do you know how fortunate we are? Eveline’s marriage to the Duke of Mayfield has brought me unprecedented opportunities—my social standing has soared . Now, imagine the impact if the ton were to hear that yet another of my daughters is marrying a duke.”

Ava grimaced at those words. All her father seemed to care about was what he had to gain from such a marriage. He did not even seem to see just how cold, unfeeling, and devilish the man who had shown interest in her sister was.

And even now, his being so angry with her was only another one of the Duke’s manipulations. The devilish smile he gave her before he left was enough for her to know that he had deliberately gotten her in trouble with her father.

“But what about Stella’s happiness?” Ava asked.

She looked at her sister, who was sitting dejectedly on the chair, her eyes trained on the floor, her arms wrapped around herself.

“Stella will be happy when she marries the Duke and becomes a duchess,” her father stated.

“She cannot possibly be happy if she marries a man with such a reputation.”

“And yet Eveline is happy with her husband and children,” he retorted.

“Eveline is happy because she and her husband are in love,” Ava pointed out.

“Stella will also grow to love the Duke,” her father declared with finality.

“A man like the Duke could never love anyone!” she shouted in frustration.

How could Father not see this?

For the first time since their argument started, there was complete silence in the room. The Viscount was quite livid; his jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared. The sound of his heavy breathing was only punctuated by Stella’s muffled cries in the background.

Ava knew she had taken it too far, but she was past caring.

“I hope for your sake that the Duke has not decided to withdraw his proposal,” the Viscount bit out. “You can say goodbye to new ballgowns for the foreseeable future.”

Ava gasped. She did not quite care for gowns. However, the fact that her father would be so cruel as to deny her the one thing she found joy in was simply outrageous.

“And Stella will marry the Duke the moment he asks for her hand,” he continued.

“Nooooooo!” Stella cried out, jumping out of her seat. Her eyes were bloodshot, and tears were streaming down her face. “I will not marry the Duke!”

“Young lady.” The Viscount moved closer to her, his face contorting. “I do not know who has put such foolish thoughts in your head—that decision does not lie in your hands. I am your father, and I shall give you to the Duke the moment he asks.”

“Aah!” Stella let out a guttural scream before running out of the drawing room, devastated.

Ava was not quite certain what the matter was with her sister. However, she had never seen her react so strongly to anything.

“Father, Stella does not want to marry the Duke. She has made that clear,” Ava said in a low, pleading tone.

The Viscount chuckled. “Then I suppose it is fortunate that it is not her decision to make, because the girl certainly does not know what is good for her.”

Ava shook her head. It was obvious now that her father would never listen. He had his mind set on the Duke, and from the determined look on his face, she knew he would do anything to ensure that the marriage happened.

“If you know what is good for you now, Ava,” her father continued, jabbing his chubby fingers at her, “you will talk some sense into your sister.”

Ava stared at him defiantly. However, she knew he was right.

She needed to talk to her sister, even if it was not to convince her to marry some heartless monster. Something was troubling Stella deeply, and Ava was determined to get to the root of it.

With that, she headed up the staircase to her sister’s chambers. She pushed the door open and found her sister sitting at her vanity, scribbling on a sheet of paper.

“Stella,” she called.

Stella promptly snatched the paper off the vanity and hid it behind her.

“What are you hiding, Stella?” Ava asked, slowly approaching her.

In a swift motion, Stella rose from her chair and backed away.

“What is happening, Stella?” Ava pressed.

“It is nothing, Ava,” Stella reassured, even as she continued backing away.

However, Ava could no longer turn a blind eye to her sister’s strange behavior.

“Stella, you know quite well you can talk to me,” she murmured.

“I… I cannot…” Stella broke down in tears as she crumbled on her bed.

Ava rushed to her side and enveloped her in a hug. Her sister’s whole body quaked with violent sobs, and yet she held on to her.

She desperately wanted to know what was troubling Stella. However, she knew that forcing it out of her would only drive her further away.

After a long while, the sobs died down, and Stella pulled away.

“You can set your letter aside—I will not look through it until you let me,” Ava told her.

Stella giggled.

Ava’s heart went out to her little sister. Watching her giggle even when she had just cried her eyes out… she knew at that moment that she would do anything to protect her.

“I know you do not want to marry the Duke,” Ava continued. “I understand you. After all, the man is rather terrifying.”

Stella nodded. “I do not wish to marry him.”

“You do not have to. I will make sure of it even if it is the last thing I do,” Ava promised.

Stella’s eyes widened, and for the first time in a while, a hint of hope flickered in them. “Thank you, Ava. But Papa has all but promised me to him,” she mumbled.

“I suppose we can always find a way around this. It seems the Duke has set his eyes on you, and Father is happy about it because of his rank. However, if we find another suitor who is perhaps wealthier than the Duke, then Father might change his mind.”

Stella frowned. “It will never work. And I certainly do not want to marry yet another man I do not know.”

“I am sorry, Stella, but the odds are not on your side. Unless you would rather refuse to marry any of your suitors and face the ridicule of the ton and Father forever,” Ava sighed.

“Is this truly the only way?” Stella asked.

“I am afraid so.” Ava winced. “If we find a wealthier man, even if he has a lower rank, Papa might reconsider his decision. Besides, there are many rumors surrounding the Duke of Gillingham. I have heard about how ruthless and cold he can be.”

Stella nodded earnestly. “Merely being in his presence today scared me. He looked absolutely terrifying with his mask, and I was barely able to look him in the eyes.”

Ava felt her younger sister shiver beside her, so she scooted closer and wrapped her arms around her. She knew she needed to protect her sister in whatever way possible.

If merely being in the Duke’s presence scared Stella so much, then what would happen if she were forced to marry him?

The mere thought chilled her to the bone.

“Ava, is it true that the Duke does not have a heart?” Stella asked suddenly.

“With his callous actions and demeanor, I would not be surprised if he indeed does not have a heart,” Ava scoffed.

“My friend once said that he sold his heart to the devil in exchange for his wealth and business acumen,” Stella admitted.

“He might not have sold his heart to the devil, but he definitely acts like he has.” Ava shook her head. “After all, how could one man be so cruel and yet so successful?”

“Lily told me that anybody who competed with the Duke’s business would suffer greatly. That sounds like someone who has sold his soul to the devil.” Stella shuddered. “I’ve heard that his latest victim is Lord Wilbury.”

“Indeed, I’ve heard the rumors too,” Ava said. “In fact, Eveline told me that Lord Wilbury had lost most of the money he had invested in a venture because the Duke of Gillingham was his competitor.”

“Poor Lord Wilbury,” Stella mumbled.

“A man so cruel should be avoided at all cost,” Ava continued. “You should be with a man like Eveline’s husband. A man who is tender and warm. You deserve a man who respects and loves you unconditionally.”

Stella cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably on the bed, before turning to Ava with troubled eyes.

“I must tell you something, Ava,” she said in a small voice.

Ava’s heart leaped with joy.

Finally!

“You can tell me anything, Stella,” she encouraged, taking her sister’s hand and squeezing it.

“You must promise that you will not be angry,” Stella demanded.

Ava’s heart sank.

Stella’s request could only mean trouble. She would not ask her sister to make such a promise if what she was about to reveal was not scandalous.

Ava sighed. “I cannot make such a promise.”

Stella looked troubled. She glanced at Ava and then looked away, as though she was ashamed.

Ava knew then that her sister only needed her reassurance.

“I can, however, tell you this, Stella,” she added. “I love you, and there is nothing you can tell me today that will make me love you any less. Besides, if you tell me, we can try to find a solution to what has been troubling you.”

Stella still did not look quite convinced as she twirled a lock of hair around her fingers and blinked away the tears welling up in her eyes.

“I fear that you will hate me after I tell you,” she muttered.

Ava gasped. “I could never hate you. I assure you, Stella, whatever it is that is troubling you is simply not the most scandalous thing ever. Remember when Eveline and William were caught in a scandal? Did I hate her because of it? If I did not hate Eveline after the controversy, then I could never hate you, no matter the situation.”

Stella finally heaved a sigh of relief and nodded.

“I am in love with someone,” she admitted.

“Oh…”

Ava was taken aback. She would not have imagined that this was the problem. She was, however, careful not to express her shock, as that would upset her sister.

“Is that so?” she murmured.

“His name is Thomas, and we met at the second ball I attended after my debut,” Stella continued, a dreamy smile on her face.

“Is he, by any means, the reason behind your disappearances at the balls we’ve attended together?” Ava asked.

Stella had a sheepish look on her face that told Ava her suspicions were correct.

Ava wanted to scream at her sister and ask her how she could be so foolish as to dally with a man where the whole ton could have seen them. She could have been ruined!

Instead, she simply kept silent. After all, expressing her anger now might cause Stella to clam up.

“I know you are mad at me, Ava,” Stella sighed.

Ava shrugged. “My anger will not help this situation. Moreover, you have suffered in silence for so long.”

“Oh, Ava!” Stella flung herself at her sister, hugging her yet again.

Ava patted her back comfortingly.

“You are simply the best sister a girl could ever have,” Stella gushed, pulling away from the hug. “I know I have been foolish, but I simply could not help myself. I am irrevocably in love with him—and he with me.”

Ava nodded. “If that is the case, then why has he not come to express his interest in you?” she asked. “After all, that is the proper thing to do.”

“When we last spoke, he assured me he would come. However, even then, he felt inadequate due to his rank. And now that the Duke has expressed interest in me, Thomas simply would not dare. Papa would not even spare him a glance before giving my hand to the Duke.”

“If he genuinely wants to marry you, then he cannot be so cowardly. He must come to Father and make his intentions known before you are married off to that… that monster.”

“You do not understand, Ava. Thomas cannot possibly compete with the Duke. He is but a baron.”

It was then that Ava finally understood her sister. Their father would simply laugh the Baron out of his study, especially since a duke was already interested in Stella.

The Viscount only cared for money and status, and even though he was a lowly viscount who did not quite measure up to dukes and marquesses, he had always hated himself for it. And now, he saw his daughters as a way to improve his standing.

A risky idea suddenly came to Ava. As foolish as it was, she knew what she must do at that moment.

She held her sister’s hands in her own as she solemnly promised, “I shall do all I can to ensure you marry your beloved.”

“But… but how?” Stella asked, confused.

“You do not have to worry your head about that,” Ava assured her. “I know what I must do. Now, I must take my leave.”

With that, she left to prepare for the journey ahead of her. She must pay a certain duke a visit.