Well, it seemed like hehadfound a way to explode. And yes, she’d already considered that given the sheet still billowing in the wind, but the central question remained unanswered.
“How?” There’d been no ceremony, no priest that she remembered. Certainly, she’d been drunk last night, but she would have remembered that.
Liam’s expression faltered, but he spoke the words without flinching. “In Scotland, a couple is wed when the bride and groom claim before all that they are wed.”
Aaron spoke up, his voice a heavy rasp. “Did you do that, Clara? Did you say you were wed?”
She thought back. “Only as the ghost bride. It was play acting.”
“It was a trick,” Liam said.
Aaron raised his fists. “And you went along with it!”
“It was already done. She’d said it.”
Clara frowned. She didn’t remember everything clearly, but she hadn’t been insensate. She thought she recalled the moment. “You agreed,” she said, her voice low. “I’m sure—”
“I did.”
“And you knew what had happened.”
“I did.”
Lilah blew out a breath. “And now a whole festival of people will claim you are wed.”
Liam nodded. “Because wearewed.” He turned to face Clara straight on. “I did not plan for this to happen, but we are here now. Let us figure out how to go on.”
Figure out how to go on? She had yet to understand what had happened. One thing was clear, though, he had lied to her, and the fury at that built like a fire behind her eyes. She held it in. She wasn’t ready to let it burn through her. Aaron, on the other hand, had no trouble expressing his fury.
“Go on?” Aaron bellowed. “She’ll go back to London with me. And if I ever see your face again—”
“You’ll what?” Liam shot back. “I allowed you the one blow, Aaron. You’ll not get another.”
“You’re not fighting!” Lilah said sternly. “Don’t be ridiculous. We are a civilized people, and we shall act as such.”
Aaron didn’t change his stance by one inch. “You’ll not get a penny of her dowry.”
“Then I will see you in court, and it shall be a lengthy, expensive process which you will lose.”
“You’ll not have my sister!”
“He already has!” Clara said loudly. Fire burned in her throat, and she wrapped her arms tightly about her middle. She hated being in the middle of something she didn’t understand. Worse, she hated being lied to by one of the few people she’d trusted. And now… She clenched her teeth and gestured at the flapping bedsheet. “According to that sheet, I am wedded and bedded.” She looked hard a Liam. “Do I understand that correctly?”
He jerked his chin down in a nod. “Yes.”
“Then you have won my dowry.” God, it hurt to say those words, but she forced them out nonetheless. She’d been duped by a fortune hunter. She pressed her hands to her aching head. “That’s what he wants, Aaron. Give it to him and let us be gone.”
The word “gone” clanged in her head. Gone as well was her hope of an independent life, even as a demi-rep. She had no money now since she couldn’t win in court. Even if she proved she was still a virgin, the wedding vows had been spoken according to Scottish custom.
“Clara—” Liam began, but she held out her hand to stop him from speaking. She didn’t want to hear anything. He continued nonetheless. “What if I have a different proposal?”
“Be damned with you—” Aaron growled as he wrapped an arm around her.
Far from making her feel better, the touch irritated her, and she pushed him away. “Aaron, pray shut up,” Clara snapped. She needed to think. She needed to breathe. And she needed her damned head to stop pounding.
Liam crossed quickly to the basin and poured her a glass of water. He held it up, offering it to her silently, and though she was loath to touch him, she needed the drink. It soothed her parched throat, if nothing else. And when she finished her drink, she lifted forced herself to look at the man who had betrayed her.
“What are you thinking?”
