“She needs money,” Ellis said. “She tried to extort Roman, but he refused.”
“Did he?” Sheff asked in surprise. “He said nothing about that.”
“You’ve seen him?” Ellis was momentarily distracted by the mention of the man she loved and missed more than anything.
“Forget about your sordid little affair,” the duchess snapped at Ellis. She directed her cool gaze at her son. “Yes, I require money to live since your father refuses to provide me with a residence.”
“She’s going to publish a book about the family,” Ellis explained. “She plans to include every sordid detail, including the fact that your betrothal was fake.”
Jo moved to sit on a chair. Sheff rushed to help her as Min stepped toward their mother.
“I think you might be evil,” Min said, her expression a mix of anger and sadness.
After settling Jo, Sheff spun on his mother. “Father didn’t cut you off entirely. He just isn’t giving you enough to live as you have been. You don’t deserve to. You have enough to remove yourself to a pleasant country village where you can try to manage everyone and repel a whole new group of people.” He advanced on her, joining Min. “We will never let you publish lies—or anything else—about our family.”
Min glowered at the duchess. “I don’t even know why you’d want to do that. You’d expose yourself as the horrible person you are.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” the duchess replied calmly. “As I explained to Ellis, your father is the villain. He’s treated me horribly all these years. I sought affection elsewhere with Rowland Harker, then your father made me live with the consequences of my actions. It was most cruel. People will be sympathetic to me, you’ll see.”
“How evil to have to suffer the consequences of your actions,” Jo muttered.
“How about we publish a book explaining the real story before yours is published?” Ellis suggested. “As it happens, I know a publisher.”
“Excellent idea, Ellis,” Sheff said, glancing at her with a faint nod before directing a glare toward the duchess. “Of course, the real story is that you were being unfaithful to Father long before he sought comfort in the arms of others. He loved you, and he married you thinking you loved him too.”
Ellis took satisfaction in the duchess turning scarlet.
“He lied to you,” the duchess sputtered.
“Don’t even try to make us believe that,” Sheff said with disgust. “He told me personally, and if you think I couldn’t see the hurt he felt when you betrayed him—you’re even colder than I thought. You married him for the title but made him think that you loved him. Then, as soon as you provided an heir, you found a lover. Honestly, I’m glad you did. Giving us Ellis as our sister was probably the nicest thing you’ve done for us.”
Ellis’s heart expanded. She looked toward Sheff and Min. He was too focused on their mother, but Min smiled at Ellis and nodded.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Min said defiantly. She narrowed her eyes at the duchess. “I will sell everything I own to ensure you leave London and never return, nor can you go to Bath or Weston or anywhere else we might be. Have you considered Australia?”
“You don’t need to do that,” Sheff said to Min. “I’ll give her the money to leave. But just once, then never again.”
“I don’t want your money,” the duchess in a near-whine. “I want only your love and respect. I deserve it.”
“But you’re never going to have those things.” Min’s lip curled. “I will never forgive you for the way you’ve treated Ellis or the way you treated Papa.” She moved to stand beside Ellis, their arms touching.
Sheff crossed to Ellis’s other side. “I feel the same.”
Ellis was incredibly humbled by her siblings’ support. Summoning a brief smile, she regarded their mother with a glorious sense of victory. “You’ve lost. Nobody here wants you. They’re my family now. They’ve chosen me, and now I have the family I’ve always wanted.”
Min took Ellis’s hand. “The family she deserves.”
“Despite your efforts, I’m here and I’m happy,” Ellis said, clutching Min fiercely. “You have nothing, and I’m fairly certain I can ensure no one in the publishing world will buy your lies. They won’t want to be sued for libel, and I’m sure you’d rather not participate in a very public lawsuit.”
The duchess sucked in a breath, her cheeks hollowing, making her appear almost skeletal. “You are all a disappointment to me.” She glowered at Sheff. “I’m at Mivart’s. You can send money there.”
“Only if you promise never to bother us again,” he said. “I’ll have my solicitor draw up a contract.”
“You would do that to your own mother?” she asked, aghast.
“I actually don’t have a mother anymore,” Sheff said, almost cheerfully. “Shall I show you out, ma’am?”
The duchess gasped, and her eyes narrowed. She turned on her heel and stomped from the room.
