Rachel folded her arms, her expression firm.
“Thewrathof the ton? I think it’s quite the opposite. They looked quite impressed just now,” Rachel shrugged.
“Yes, because they do not know the truth. What will you do if they find out?” Marina pressed.
Rachel had not thought about that particular consequence yet. It had not sounded so serious in her head. But her reasoning was clear as day. There would be no arguing about it.
“It’s worth it for you, Marina. Do you know how many gentlemen you’ve danced with tonight? Three. That’s more than you’ve had in an entire Season. Do you wish to know the reason behind it? They think your sister is engaged to a duke,” Rachel explained.
Marina was rendered speechless for the moment. She opened her mouth to speak and then shut it back again. Anger flashed on her face, then concern replaced it.
Finally, she sputtered, “You…you can’t be serious. You are orchestrating this entire farce for me?”
Who else?She despised her biological father, and their mother had passed years ago. Marina was the only person left in the world that Rachel actually cared for.
“No need to sound so ungrateful,” Rachel said, masking her concern with nonchalance. “It is in your best interest. I would at least appreciate a thank you if not a well-thought-out present from you.”
Marina blinked, clearly in disbelief. “Forgive me, sister, for I amseriouslyfailing to understand your reasoning.”
Very well then.It seemed Rachel was going to have to spell it out for her.
“Our situation is precarious at best, Marina. You know how the ton looks at us. We’re the daughters of a viscount, yes, but we’re also the daughters of a maid,” Rachel winced as she admitted the words. “That stain doesn’t wash away, not without something extraordinary to distract them. What better way than to let them think I am to marry a duke?”
Marina’s eyes filled with frustration. “But you’renotmarrying a duke! It is an outright lie.”
“Yes, you have made that quite clear,” she replied, sarcastically. “But what I am trying to convey to you here is that it is beside the point. Casting the impression that I am marrying him is enough.”
“Thisis the entire point,”Marina stressed, running a frustrated hand through her hair. “And let me remind you that you are not merely casting an impression; you are telling a bold-faced lie.”
“Must you be so strict?” Rachel tried to lighten the mood, but her younger sister would not have it.
“I am only being practical. The consequences could be immense, and society would not let us live this down if the truth were to come out.”
“I am doing the same,” Rachel argued. “By the time anyone questions it, you will have secured a match. You’ll be married to a gentleman who sees your worth, and the chatter won’t matter anymore.”
Whatever happened after that, Rachel had not thought about. And frankly, she did not care.
She had vowed long ago that she would do whatever it took to ensure that Marina had a bright future secured. And if this was what it took, however unconventional it may be, then she was willing and happy to do it.
“And you?” Marina asked, her voice cracking. “What happens to you when the truth comes out? What about your prospects?”
“Oh, please,” Rachel let out a laugh. “I’ve never planned to marry, Marina. You know that. My future doesn’t matter nearly as much as yours.”
Marina was rendered speechless for a moment. It was as though she was finally seeing her sister’s true intentions behind the bold-faced facade.
“That’s not true,” Marina’s voice was softer when she spoke again. “You deserve happiness, too, Rachel. I don’t wish to take that away from you. Youcannotput that burden on me.”
“It is not a burden,” Rachel stressed. “My happiness is making sure you’re safe and secure. Do you think I could live with myself if you were stuck at Fairfield? No.Thatoutcome would be far worse than any consequence of my little lie. Consider this as a chance for you to escape that life. It would not be a sound idea to waste it.”
“This is madness.” Marina began to pace around. “You are making it sound so trivial.”
“And you are making it sound deeper than it needs to be,” Rachel countered.
The two sisters locked gazes. It seemed that neither was willing to back down.
“And what about Letitia? You know she’ll be furious if she hears about this. She’ll do everything in her power to humiliate us in front of everyone,” Marina continued. Rachel could practically hear the cogs in her head turning, coming up with the next scenario of what could go wrong.
Ah, Letitia.
