elle

like a wildfire. By afternoon, they

room without knocking. Her face was flushed wi

voice shrill. "A daughter of the Blackwood line,

ck histories. I had been expecting her. I calmly

ou know what you've done? The Matriarch Genevieve summoned

Aunt Martha," I said, my voice even. "Are you angry because I've dis

en unsubtly trying to push me and her oafish son together, a pat

You will come with me to see the Matriarch this instant. You will exp

ayed on my lips. "There'

onfused. "What are

nd began to slowly, deliberately, brush my long hair. My

Wells," I said, my voice as smooth as

pen, her eyes wide with disbelief. It wa

red. "To whom? Why does

eluctance. "It was my father's arrangement. The other family wished

was the only thing sharp enough, final enough, to

lle was a useless Isabelle. All her scheming, all h

ice sharp with desperation. "Your f

obligations. "I cannot question my father's decisions. If you

he servant came to tell me th