“Determined for me?” I echoed, swallowing hard.
“Quite. You are in need of a wife; my niece is in want of a husband. A union between the two of you would intertwine our lives even further. It would be very advantageous.”
Cutlery clattered across the table, and I looked up to find Blanche pale, her fork having fallen from her hand.
“That’s not funny, Uncle,” Henri said, glaring at Montoni.
“It’s not a joke,” Montoni said, smiling. “All of our finances will be combined, and we will have four estates to run in total, giving each of us houses to oversee, with Udolpho remaining a retreat. Lady Morano and the marquis are already acquainted with one another, and are fond of each other. Unless I misconstrue? I don’t see why this shouldn’t be the happiest of occasions.”
My jaw twitched as Blanche turned her head and blinked away tears.
“No,” I said, sitting back.
“No?” Montoni seemed amused. “You think you have a choice in the matter?”
“I do. I won’t sign any documents to legalize a marriage. I won’t marry her. I will only marry for love.”
“Forlove,” my aunt scoffed. “You know full well that that can never be.”
I felt myself turn red as Montoni regarded me coolly. “Your aunt is correct. A man with your title must be strategic. Society demands as much. Your heart cannot factor into it.” He swirled the wine in his goblet. “And the sooner you sign those papers and marry my niece, the sooner you can return to France. You can even have your choice of estates.”
Aunt Cheron straightened, meeting my gaze. “I’ve always told you that I don’t care how you conduct your life, so long as you don’t start a scandal. You and Lady Morano may not love one another, but it’s the perfect foundation for happiness.”
“And what of me?” Blanche asked. “Does anybody care what I think? I want a real marriage!”
“And if there’s no love between the two of you, I’m sure you can both see anyone who strikes your fancy,” Montoni said dismissively. “Just keep it quiet and provide the family with an heir.”
Blanche slammed her fist onto the table and rushed from the room.
Montoni waved a hand in her direction. “She will get over it. You, Emile, have a decision to make. I expect you won’t disappoint us with an unfavorable answer.”
“I’m afraid that my feelings are in alignment with your niece’s,” I told him, standing and tossing my napkin onto my plate. “Good night.”
I stalked from the room and leaned against the wall once I was out of earshot. I took several deep breaths. So, it had finally happened. The ultimatum was before me, and Blanche was caught in the crossfire. Why did my aunt have to insist on marriage? The only reason this was even happening right now was because of Montoni’s gambling problems. He should be the one forced to face consequences, not the rest of us.
How I hated Montoni. And my aunt. Theywouldwait until we were isolated to make this demand of me. I was at their mercy, in enemy territory, and stuck inside a prison in the form of a castle.
And I didn’t see a way out.
“It’s so unfair,” Blanche said, dabbing at her eyes the next afternoon.
“I know,” I said, leaning back into her pillows as we stared at the foot of her bed, wallowing in our sorrow together.
“I had such dreams,” Blanche confessed. “A man would allow me to beme.We would go on adventures together and we’d be unstoppable. He would meet my strength with his own fire.”
I nodded numbly. “Your dreams should be realized, Blanche. I won’t sign those papers.”
She seemed not to have heard me. “Now, they want to relegate me to a … a prop to help secure the family fortune, thrust on the first man to come along.” She glanced at me. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
“But once my uncle’s mind is made up, he gets what he wants. You must sense that we’re prisoners here. We’re either leaving here with wedding bands, or we’re not leaving at all.”
I shook my head. “I’m prepared for what may happen to me. But you need not share a miserable fate for my sake.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I refuse, I’ll be sent to an asylum. But maybe that’s inevitable. At least that way, your life wouldn’t be ruined as well.”
