A deep breath, and she could see his body trembling. “What I have heard about Laurent and Lady Rosaline. Is it true?”
It took all the self-control that Thalia possessed not to gasp in surprise, or recoil in shame. She looked simply at her brother, no sense at all that anything was amiss.
“And what have you heard?” she asked simply.
“Thalia, do not play games with me.”
“I…” She thought quickly.To lie and try to save face? Or to admit the truth, knowing that any lie I tell will quickly become revealed…“I take it that you have heard from them?”
“Is it true?” he barked.
She winced. “Yes, it is true. Assuming that you are referring to their marriage.”
“Thalia…” Damien groaned and closed his eyes, more deep breathing in a vain effort to find calm. “How could you… why did you not tell me?”
“I did not think it was my place.”
“Of course it was your place!” he snapped. “You are the very reason –” He caught himself again, taking another deep breath. “I do not want to put the blame on you entirely, Thalia. But this is your doing. You are the one who –”
“I saved Rosaline,” she spoke over her brother. “That is all I did.”
“What you did was put into her head the notion that she could marry whomever she liked. And Laurent!” He was growing angry again. “You know how susceptible he is! How romantic. The moment you hinted that there might be a chance that he and Lady Rosaline could be together, he fell over himself to help you.”
“Perhaps he is the one you should be speaking with?”
Damien was glowering at her. “Why did you not tell me?”
“Because I knew you would act this way.”
“That is not –” He caught his temper again, but he was still shaking. “Their marriage cannot stand. Lord Donmere will tear down the sky when he finds out. And as for Laurent? His entire future…” He shook his head at Thalia. “If I had known, I might have been able to stop it.”
“You know that would not have changed anything.”
“I don’t know that,” he snarled. “And now we will never know. By marrying the Duke, you did your part and for that I am grateful, Thalia. But this marriage has the potential to ruin our name. Tell me that you see that.”
She winced, unable to look upon her brother’s face. And not because of the anger he held, but the shame that he fixed her in.
Thalia did not regret what she had done. Even with this marriage going as poorly as it was, she would do the same thing again if the opportunity was presented. She had saved her best friend and her brother, giving them a chance to live together in happiness, and that was what mattered.
What did upset her was the judgment coming from her brother.
She and Damien had grown up in the same house, been subjected to the same mode of parenting, and were forced to suffer under their father’s coldness and complete lack of love. Thalia had rebelled against it by turning into the woman she was, thumbing her nose at society and doing as she saw fit. While Damien had done the opposite, rising to the tone their father set, almost becoming him in the process.
Unlike our father, he never wanted this. He became what he is to save us, even if he hates himself for how he is forced to act. All he has ever wanted is what is best…
“I am sorry,” she said, bowing her head in regret. “Truly, I am.”
“I know it,” Damien exhaled as the anger left him. “And I am sorry.”
“What for?”
“For what I am forced to do.”
Her head snapped up, and she frowned at her brother. “What… what are you going to do?”
“Your Grace.” Caspian appeared suddenly in the breakfast room. “This is unexpected.”
Damien turned and saw Caspian walking toward him. He straightened his posture and strode down the table. When theymet in the middle, they took one another’s hand and shook firmly.
