The name alone grated on her ears. Formally, she was their half-sister; she was also an annoying thorn in their lives.
The one daughter that their father had no trouble accepting and to whom he gave preferential treatment. It was like night and day, how the two of them were treated compared to the way he treated Letitia.
And while one might think this would make her a well-mannered lady—considering her privileged upbringing—it had only done the opposite. She was insufferable and ill-mannered.
The two famously did not get along, and though Letitia loved to impose herself, she was not such an important consideration for Rachel’s decisions.
Who cares about Letitia?was what she wanted to say, but instead, she smirked faintly.
“Letitia has been under the weather for weeks. By the time she’s recovered enough to meddle, it’ll be too late. You’ll have made a favorable impression on someone, and the engagement will have served its purpose.”
“And if she recovers sooner? Or if Father hears about this?” Marina pressed. “You’re playing with fire here.”
Rachel could only shrug.
“You should know that I am careful around fire,” she said. “Trust me, Marina. It will work. Tonight has already proven that. Now,” she added, her voice softening, “a gentleman is waiting to ask you to dance. Go on.”
Marina did not move, folding her arms out in front of her stubbornly.
“I—”
Before she could argue further, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps. A moment later, a man appeared at the entrance of the terrace.
Marina straightened immediately, while Rachel could only smirk.
“He is approaching you,” Rachel sounded satisfied, like her point had just been proven.
“No, he is not!” Marina tried to argue. The man continued to linger, glancing nervously at Marina now.
“See?” Rachel gave her sister an encouraging nod. “See? He’s waiting. Don’t let him think you’re not interested.”
“Fine.” Marina bit down on her lip. “But this is still reckless.”
She turned and stepped back inside, leaving Rachel alone on the terrace.
Finally.A moment alone. And quite well deserved, as well.
Rachel let her shoulders sag and removed the mask that she had been wearing all night. A mask where she was put together and had everything figured out. Truthfully, she was trying to figure things out as they unfolded.
The risk was great, she knew that. But so was the reward. If this ruse could give Marina the future she deserved, then it was worth every lie and every scandal it might bring.
She just had to hope the Duke of Everly never found out.
CHAPTER TWO
“Rachel!”
Usually, Rachel loved hearing the sound of her own name, but it grated when it came from someone whom she disliked.
“What an awful start to the day,” she muttered to herself as she slowly sat up. Usually, Rachel would be awake at dawn each morning as she had to get a head start on her responsibilities for the day.
But this morning, she had allowed herself to sleep in for a tad longer. Yesterday had been a long day, and she felt as though she deserved that at least. It was a rare luxury.
In this house, however, luxury was not something that was available to Rachel. Moments after the screech, a most unpleasant figure entered the room—not bothering to knock as usual.
Letitia Montrose. The two shared a last name, but that was the only similarity.
Speak of the devil.
