As she reached the front door of her townhouse, her butler was there, anxiously holding out a letter.
“What is it, Pevensly?” She took the letter from his shaking hands.
“A man under the employ of Lord Lennox delivered this. He told me you must read it immediately and that he would be back within the hour to see that the letter’s instructions are followed.”
With trepidation, Rosalind peeled off her gloves and broke the seal on the letter as she entered the hall. Pevensly close the door behind her.
The letter was written elegantly, and yet as she began to read, it felt more mocking with each stroke of the quill.
My dearest Lady Melbourne,
As I’m sure you are now aware, Drummond’s Bank as well as every other bank within your immediate traveling distance has been given strict orders not to extend or offer you any additional credit. All of your notes will be cashed in by my proxies if I hear of you trying to buy them back.
Additionally, I have purchased all of your debts. At this moment, my accountants and solicitors are taking a full account of your affairs at your offices in London and Brighton. Your entire fate lies in my hands. The house you stand in at this very moment? Mine. The clothes upon your back? Also mine. I own you, Lady Melbourne, in all but name.
What does this mean? I am putting you on the street. Your servants may remain at the house and I will see to their continued employment, but you, my cunning rival, must seek home and hearth elsewhere until I decide what to do with you.
I own you.
Chapter Three
I own you.
The words from Ashton’s letter blurred as Rosalind struggled to breathe. No, he couldn’t do this to her. Shock paralyzed her body, her muscles tensing painfully.
The past came rushing up from the depths where she had buried it, swallowing her in its icy waters, unable to stop the memories as they enveloped her.
The cold castle corridors, wind whistling through the faded, tattered tapestries. The booming shout of an angry father.
“You think you can tellmewhat to do? You little wretch! I own you, and you aren’t worth the breath in your lungs!”
A cup of mead exploded against the wall where Rosalind, only sixteen, hid behind a half-opened door. The aching sorrow of her mother’s recent death hung in the halls like an invisible cloud. It had sent her father over the edge.
“Rosalind,” a deep voice chided from behind the hall. Rosalind jumped, but her older brother Brock steadied her. “Leave Father alone—he’s been drinking.”
The door crashed open as their father, Lord Kincade, launched himself at Rosalind.
He swung a balled fist at her, but Brock knocked the hand away.
“Oh! Think you’re a man to take me on? No son of mine would dare!” He moved fast, too fast. The punch knocked Brock onto the floor. Rosalind too was hit, spiraling wildly as she bounced off the wall and fell beside Brock.
“Pieces of shite, the both of you! Not worth the clothes on your backs! I should sell you both for the uselessness you are to me.” Their father snarled like a wild boar and stalked down the hallway, leaving them alone.
Tears leaked from her eyes as she reached for her aching jaw. It felt like it was broken. She knew it wasn’t, but it hurt like the very devil.
A hand settled on her shoulder, causing her to flinch. “’Tis only me,” Brock said gruffly, but there was a gentleness to his tone. It wasn’t proper for a young lass to cry, but she couldn’t stop. Living in fear of her father every day was chipping away at her soul.
“I can’t do this anymore,” she whispered. “He’s going to kill me.”
Her older brother was still no match for their father, but she knew he would keep taking blows for her. All of her brothers would.
“Rosalind, what are you talking about?” Brock cupped her chin, but she whimpered at the flash of pain and pulled away.
“I’m not staying. I have to get out of this house. Ever since Mother died, this hasn’t been my home.”
Her brother brushed the tears away from her cheeks, and his gray eyes, so like her own, were as silver as a waning moon up on the moors.
“Rosalind, thisisyour home. It will always be your home. And we shall protect you.”
