Page 14 of Vows We Never Made

“Does Hattie know yet?” I ask.

“She does. I briefed her this morning, per your sister’s advice. She practically insisted when she saw the will yesterday.”

“And?”

“And what?”

For a moment, I try to picture little Hattie like I remember, her curly blonde hair that never stayed in a bun and timid green eyes. Round spectacles, pale white skin, this baby fat she could never seem to lose well into her teens.

The girl always looked at me like she was petrified.

At the time, I loved it.

“How did she take it?”

Wilkes takes a moment to answer. “I’d say she was a little rattled.”

I snort loudly.

If Hattie feels anything like I do, she’s more than justrattled.

But that’s just it—I don’t know the first thing about Hattie now.

I don’t know if she still hates me.

I don’t know what she’s thinking at all.

“No surprise,” I say. “It’s not every day you get pushed into a marriage you never asked for. What girl dreams of that? But will she agree if—if, for some unearthly reason—there’s no way out of it?”

Miss Wilkes does another disapproving lip press. It’s impressive how she can convey so much irritation with such slight expressions.

“Miss Sage required a cool compress to revive her,” she says. “I believe your sister took her home immediately.”

“She fainted?” I frown.

“The shock was rather intense.”

Holy fuck.

My gut churns, but I push the feeling aside.

“I need to see her,” I growl.

Wilkes stands.

“If I may, Mr. Blackthorn, I advise you to take a few days to think about this. Consult a few outside attorneys to look into this matter, if you wish. But please treat it seriously.”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” I snap. “This is my whole future. I don’t appreciate the implication that I won’t give it due diligence.”

“I just mean this is an unusual and stressful predicament for everyone involved.” Miss Wilkes rises to her feet. “My hope is, after you’ve given Miss Sage ample time to process, you’ll approach her with empathy. For her sake and yours.”

Empathy?

I almost laugh in her face.

Sure, Jackie Wilkes is concerned about Hattie because she apparently has the constitution of a hummingbird or some shit. But I’m the guy being asked to marry my sister’s second shadow.

Hattie damn Sage.