Aunt Ginny pushed back her chair and marched across the room, turning at the door to fire one last salvo. “I suppose you think I shall continue to sponsor your daughters in Society,” she said.
Papa put down his knife and fork and looked his sister in the eye. “Yes, Virginia, I do think so,” he said. She glared at him and he looked back, his gaze firm and unwavering. After a moment, she huffed, spun around, and marched out the door. It closed behind her.
“Oh dear,” said Cilla.
“Pa is paying for our season,” Livy guessed. She peered at Papa’s expression, which said nothing to Cilla, but Livy must have read something, for she nodded. “And for our cousins, too.”
“Don’t mention that to her, Olivia,” Papa commanded. “Lucilla, who told you about Jasper’s plans?”
“Mr. Bane Sanderson, Papa, while we were dancing after supper. He tends to hide in the shadows. I suppose Jasper’s friends didn’t see him. He warned me to be careful, and to lock my bedchamber door. I thought it would be better if we didn’t stay at Aunt Ginny’s for the night.”
“I see. And Jasper insisted.”
“He came up behind me, grabbed both my arms, and tried to push me toward the house. I screamed, and when he let go, I hit him, Pa.” Her voice quavered. Livy took her hand and gave it a press. Cilla squeezed back, took a deep breath, and blinked rapidly to dispel the tears Livy could see hovering. “You told us if we hit a man, to do it there,” Cilla continued, her voice back under control, “because otherwise, we probably couldn’t hurt him. I didn’t want to hurt him, but Ididwant to stop him.” She nodded firmly, and declared, “Papa, I won’t marry Jasper.”
“You shall not marry Jasper,” Pa agreed firmly. “Furthermore, you shan’t stay the night at your aunt’s house, or change there, or anywhere else but here in your own home, and you will not leave this house without one of my footmen. That goes for you, too, Olivia. Who is this man who plans to force you into marriage?”
“A nasty man called Curston,” Livy told him. “His father is a friend of Aunt Ginny’s.”
“Ah,” said Papa, looking enlightened.
“What do you know of him, Pa?” Livy asked. Pa pressed his lips together. He was not going to answer, and before she could ask him again, one of the footmen knocked and then entered. “Mr. Wintergreen, two gentlemen by the name of Sanderson have called to request a moment of your time.” He handed Pa two calling cards.
“Mr. Mandrake Sanderson. Mr. Wolfbane Sanderson,” Papa read. He stood. “Finish your breakfast, girls. I shall speak to the gentlemen.”
