“Semantics.” He waved a hand. “You have caused trouble enough.”
It appeared her betrothed knew of these troubles and had still decided to go through with the wedding. Her plan might not work.
Lord Flemmington made his way to her, his gaze openly sliding down her bodice. “She’s thin,” he muttered. “But serviceable.”
Revulsion crawled up Calliope’s throat. “I am not a broodmare to be inspected.”
Morgana giggled, clapping her hands. “Oh, how bold! Brighton gave her a quite the tongue.”
“Pity it didn’t give her sense,” Victoria added.
Duvessa raised a hand, silencing the jabs. “Calliope knows her duty. She will comply.”
Calliope laughed. “Comply? Is that what you call kidnapping now?”
Lord Flemmington’s face mottled red. “Girl, you will not shamethis family again. We shall be married tonight. The paperwork is ready, the vows will be spoken, and you will cease this insolence.”
“I will not,” Calliope said flatly.
“Defiance,” Duvessa purred, circling closer. “How tiresome. You ought to thank us for taking you back at all and for setting this match for you.”
Were these people addlebrained? “Taking me back? I have known nothing but your cruelty at your hands! This is no different.”
The stepsisters gasped as though offended. Morgana pressed a hand to her breast. “Cruelty? What nonsense!”
Lord Flemmington grunted. “I paid a hefty price for this union, so shall we get on with it?”
Calliope’s heart pounded, the walls closing in. So itwasmoney. All this was done formoney. Her nails bit her palms.
Now’s the time.
She lifted her chin, bracing herself. If she shocked them, she might be able to dash past her guards. She knew this house like the back of her hand. She could disappear for hours before they found her. “You would wed a girl already ruined?”
Duvessa’s sharp eyes whipped to her. “Do not listen to her.”
“Listen to me?” Calliope challenged. “I wonder, did you sell me or my maidenhood? For I don’t possess that any longer.”
The room froze.
“That’s not true!” Duvessa exclaimed.
“Oh, it’s very true, stepmother,” Calliope said, an undercurrent of mockery in her tone. “Used goods. Bedded. By an outlaw, no less. Albeit a handsome one.”
The words landed like a cannon blast. Gasps, sputters, outrage.
“You lie!” Duvessa snapped, her eyes narrowing. “You dare speak such filth in this house?”
“Yes, lies,” Victoria hissed. “She says it to escape her duty.”
But Calliope did not waver. She looked her uncle dead in the eye. “Examine me, then. Summon a doctor. You’ll see the truth. I am no innocent. I am ruined. Worthless to you.”
Lord Flemmington bristled. “What is the meaning of this, Balfour? You promised me she would be chaste!”
The earl’s hand drink scattered against the wall. “You dare shame this family with such depravity?”
“I dare speak the truth,” Calliope declared.
Morgana’s face twisted. “Who? Who touched you? Name him!”
