The morning light filtered through the lace curtains, casting soft shadows over the drawing room floor. Kitty sat by the hearth, her arms crossed, her slipper tapping a staccato rhythm on the rug. Jane stood at the window, watching as a pair of carriages passed by on the street.
“You should be getting dressed,” Jane said without turning around. “They’ll be reading the banns today.”
Kitty exhaled sharply. “I’m not going.”
Jane turned then, her expression controlled, but her brows drawn with disappointment. “You said you’d behave as expected. You said you’d do what was required.”
“I said I would attend dinners and fittings and smile like a wax figure at court,” Kitty snapped. “But this—this is different.”
Jane approached, her tone measured but urgent. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“No, I’m being honest.” Kitty looked up at her sister, eyes glinting. “I can lie to people’s faces, Jane. I can nod at simpering matrons and pretend I’m delighted to become the frostiest duchess in London. But I will not stand in a church and pretend my soul is at peace when it isn’t. That would be unholy.”
Jane’s mouth pressed into a line. “You think that’s some noble stand? You’re letting your father walk into that church alone. How do you think that looks?”
Kitty’s jaw clenched. “He doesn’t have to go.”
“He’s your father,” Jane said quietly. “And he has to explain to His Grace why his future wife cannot be bothered to attend the reading of her own banns.”
Kitty flinched but hid it behind a scoff. “My presence wouldn’t make much difference. His Grace doesn’t care either way. He probably counts it as a blessing not to sit beside me.”
Jane’s expression shifted, something gentler creeping in. “Kitty…”
But Kitty stood, the fire in her chest rising like smoke. “What do you want from me, Jane? To act like this is normal? Like I haven’t been bartered off to a man who told me with his own lips he doesn’t believe in love?”
Jane was quiet.
“I’m not asking for a grand romance,” Kitty continued. “But I thought I’d have a say. That I might… choose.”
A beat of silence stretched between them.
“I know it’s unfair,” Jane said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “I do. But this is the world we live in. We don’t always get choices, Kitty. Not if we want to protect the people we love.”
Kitty looked away, her throat tight. “Then maybe I’m not very good at protecting anyone.”
Jane reached out and took her hand. “You’re scared. I understand that. But hiding won’t make it better.”
Kitty’s hand trembled in hers, but she didn’t pull away. “I just… I wanted something to be mine.”
Jane squeezed gently. “Then find a way to make it yours. Even if it doesn’t start that way.”
“Where is she?”
Norman’s voice was low but firm, the question directed at Richard McGowan before the man had fully set foot on thechurch steps. The morning light was sharp, slicing through the cold air, but Norman felt none of its warmth. He had been waiting. Watching. Expecting. And yet, Kitty was not here.
Richard let out a heavy sigh, his face a picture of apology even before he said anything. “I tried. God’s own truth, I did. But she wouldn’t come.”
Norman’s jaw tightened. A muscle on his cheek spasmed as he turned his head, his eyes narrowing on the carriage that Richard had stepped out of.
He had been so certain when he watched it draw up—certain that inside, Kitty sat in reluctant silence, bracing herself for the inevitable. Instead, it was empty save for the driver, who looked away the moment Norman’s eyes sliced his way.
“She wouldn’t come,” Norman repeated, this time more subdued but no less cutting.
Richard shifted uncomfortably, scrubbing at the back of his neck. “I told her this was foolish. That she should come with me. That saying no would just make things worse.” He sighed again, an expression of exasperation and something akin to pity. “She was as unyielding as ever—stubborn to the last inch.”
Norman did not reply. He had no need to. He was already moving.
With long, determined strides, he descended the church steps and walked toward the carriage. Richard turned, startled, a step behind.
