“Lady Camelia,” Julia said softly so as not to draw attention to them. Her gaze darted between Camelia and the study. “Lady Camelia, if you don’t mind my asking, where have you been? I’ve been searching for you all morning.”
Camelia’s throat tightened. “I decided to take an early morning stroll,” she whispered, although she was aware that Julia could see through her lie. “And how dare he come here this early? Has he not granted us twenty-four hours?” she asked.
Julia looked pensively towards Lord Montague. “He arrived with the sun, Lady Camelia.” Worry was etched into her brow.
It must be bad news.
Camelia flinched when Lord Montague turned around and spotted them. A sickening grin spread across his face.
“Ah! I thought I heard whispers! Lady Camelia, you made it just in time for the final settlement with your darling sister, Lady Margaret. Her marriage to me will proceed as planned, three days hence,” he called out.
Her blood boiled at his smug tone.
He’s gloating already, the vile man.
“Lord Montague.” She surged forward, her voice shaking with fury. “You gave us no time, not even the twenty-four hours you promised us to collect the money. You cannot force Margaret into this when you’ve given us no chance to save ourselves.”
Lord Montague’s lips curled into a sneer. “Save yourselves? Your family is beyond redemption, Lady Camelia. Your father has squandered every opportunity.”
It cannot be true!
“B-But,” she sputtered, her hands clenched, her nails biting into her palms. “But we will find the money to repay you. We just need more time, right, Papa?”
She faced her father, who lowered his gaze, not before she spotted his unshed tears.
“I’ve had enough of your hysterics,” Lord Montague said coldly. “All I expect from you, Lady Camelia, is to ensure that Lady Margaret understands precisely what will be required of her as my wife. Youth is no excuse for ignorance, and I have never tolerated inadequacy in anything that belongs to me.”
“I refuse!” Camelia’s body shook with rage.
“Camelia!” Her father stood up abruptly, and the room fell into an intolerable silence.
Lord Montague barked out a laugh. “Maybe I have chosen wrong, Lord Lempster. It seems Lady Camelia contains a fire that requires some taming, too.”
He sneered as he pushed back his chair and stalked towards Camelia, his voice dripping with contempt. “Your father’s recklessness brought this ruin, not I. You should be begging for my generosity!”
I’d sooner catch the plague than beg this man for anything!
“Men like you do not deserve generosity,” Margaret hissed, causing Lord Montague’s head to snap towards her.
“Did my young bride-to-be say something?” he snarled.
“That is enough!” Lord Lempster boomed, his face flushed with anger. “Lord Montague, I believe everything has been settled here. There is no need to insult my daughters further.”
Camelia gaped at her father’s surrender to a monster who considered himself a man.
Lord Montague placed a hand over his heart as if hurt. “I’d rather die than insult your daughters, Lord Lempster!”
His death will do us all a favor.
“But Papa—” Margaret broke off when the Earl raised his hand.
Lord Montague laughed mockingly. “Anyhow, you’re quite right, Lord Lempster. My business here is done.”
“Papa, please. I do not wish to marry him!” Margaret cried, her voice laced with panic.
Camelia’s heart clenched at the plea.
I have to save my sister.
