“If we had known what he held over you,” she whispered, “we wouldn’t have done any of those things.”
He ran a hand over his face and let out an angry sound of frustration. As he did so, the door to the parlor opened and the room was suddenly filled as Charlotte and Ewan, the Duchess of Sheffield, Simon, Meg, James, Emma, Graham, Adelaide and Matthew all entered, filling the parlor almost to capacity. Helena turned away, wiping at the tears that were starting to fall.
“We were told that Shephard and his daughter left and thought we might have something to celebrate,” the Duchess of Sheffield said as she moved farther into the room. “But from your faces, it seems that is not true.”
Helena reached for Baldwin’s hand. He held it so tightly. Like if he refused to let it go, he would not have to let her go. She knew better.
“Some of you know the truth,” he said softly. “Others…well, I’ll explain later. All you need know is that Peter Shephard holds certain debts of mine that I am unable to pay. He is demanding I marry Charity or he will ruin me.”
The room was silent for a moment as looks of shock crossed the faces of all who were there. Then Ewan stepped forward and began to sign.
“I know what you’re saying without Charlotte even having to translate,” Baldwin said with a heavy sigh. “He refuses to accept any kind of payment from an outside source. The marriage is the only way he’ll clear the debts and keep his knowledge of my situation a secret.”
Helena swallowed hard. “I’ve told Baldwin that I believe he should accept the offer. I’ve told him that saving himself and his family should be his priority.”
Emma stepped forward, her dark eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Helena. Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“I have not agreed,” Baldwin snapped. “I love Helena. I asked her to marry me and she said yes.”
“Before we knew,” Helena whispered, turning back to him to continue the argument they’d been having before the others came into the room. “I love you,” she said, not caring in that moment that those words were said before all their friends and family. “Don’t throw away your future for me.”
He caught her shoulders gently. “Youare my future,” he insisted. “If I’m destroyed, I’ll still have you. So let him take what he wants.”
“He isn’t going to take anything.”
Helena and Baldwin turned toward the door. Charity stood there, hands on her hips. The others parted, allowing her entrance, though Helena saw how they glared at her. The glares turned more heated when Peter Shephard slid into the room behind her.
“What are you on about, girl?” he asked. “You aren’t going to make an idiot of yourself in front of all these powerful people, are you?”
Simon fisted his hands at his sides and started for the door. “You fucking—”
“No!” Graham barked, catching Simon’s arms.
“Listen to your friend, Your Grace. You don’t want to move on me when I can do so much damage, do you?” her uncle said with another of his satisfied sneers.
Simon relaxed back, eyes still narrowed. Meg slipped up beside him and took his arm. He looked down at her, and for a moment they just held stares. Then he let out his breath and shook his head.
“He doesn’t deserve anyone’s protection,” Crestwood muttered.
“I said we needed a moment,” Helena said, locking eyes with her cousin. “Can you not give us that when you plan to take everything else?”
“You don’t need a moment,” Charity said, and moved toward Helena slowly. “You asked me yesterday why I hated you. I never hated you.”
Helena lifted both brows. “That is hard to believe when you are doing this.”
“I’mnot,” Charity insisted. “I will admit I have been jealous of you. Who could not be? You’re so pretty. And everyone likes you right away. It’s always been that way. When you fell, I thought—but I never hated you. I even convinced my father to bring you with us. I thought it might…help.”
Helena watched her cousin’s face closely. She’d known Charity all her life. Helena knew when she was lying. When she was manipulating. Right now it didn’t seem like she was.
“Well, I suppose I’m happy you do not despise me,” she said. “But that changes nothing. Your father is going to force Baldwin into a choice that he’ll regret, no matter what it is.”
Now Charity turned to her father. Uncle Peter had been watching them like a hawk and he glared at his daughter. “What are you looking at?”
“You’re not going to force anyone into anything.” Charity’s voice was very calm, though her hands shook despite the strong front she was putting on. “I will not marry the Duke of Sheffield. I will not take part in your scheme.”
He lunged forward, face purple. Helena had no idea if he meant to simply menace or actually harm. He got to do neither, for Graham stepped forward, caught Peter by the throat and backed him hard against the wall behind him. His face was hard as steel as he said, “Not a finger against that woman or I will rip you to shreds.”
Peter glanced up at him. Up and up, and then he held up his hands. “I wouldn’t touch my daughter.”
