Her father called after her. “Marina.” His tone was almost apologetic, which stoked the fire within Marina even more than before.
“What?” She faced him.
“I understand why you are upset, but—”
She took a couple of steps closer to him. “You don’t understand a damn thing.” He flinched at her remarks. She had never cursed in front of her father before.
“I’m going to speak frankly,” she said, “so you might comprehend what my life shall be. Thanks to you, I am expected to let that beast of a man crawl on top of me whenever he wishes. Even if I do not allow him to do so, do you think that shall matter? I shall be at his mercy. Do you think he’s going to treat me with care, or do you think he’s going to use me to fulfill all the wicked desires he’s had since I was a girl?”
Her father swallowed hard and shifted on his feet. He didn’t meet her eye, and she thought his eyes might have tears welled in the corners.
At his silence she shook her head. “That’s what I thought,” she ground out. “I think you understand now. We’ll see what kind of father you are if you make me go through with this.” She turned on her heels and didn’t look back.
Her father didn’t deserve an ounce of her respect, and she would not give him the satisfaction of pretending to give it. Tears wet her cheeks as she stormed up the stairs, finding her mother at the top of the staircase.
“Marina, what is the matter, dearest? I thought I heard yelling.”
Marina stopped next to her mother. She could not speak and just looked at her. All the pain, anger, and fear she had for her fate reflected in her gaze.
“Marina, did something happen?” her mother asked, her concern growing.
She opened her mouth to speak and clamped it shut again. She fisted her hands, and tears streamed down both of her cheeks.
“Come here.” Her mother wrapped her arms around her and hugged her close. Marina’s body shook with fury and sadness. “Follow me.” Taking her hand, her mother led her to her private parlor.
“Tell me what has happened, Marina.” Her mother handed her a handkerchief.
Marina blotted her eyes and stared down at her hands for several moments. “Papa has just informed me I am to marry Minto.”
Her mother gasped. “He didn’t. Oh, Marina. How could he?” She pulled her daughter close and embraced her. “I will speak with him.”
Marina sniffed. “I don’t think there is anything you can do. He seems set on this.”
“But what about Lord Ockham?” she asked. “I believe he is interested in marrying you.”
“I told him, Mama. Papa said he won’t approve the match.”
Her mother shook her head, disbelief on her face as she said, “I never thought your father could be this cruel.”
“Neither did I.” Marina leaned against her mother, letting the weight of it all hang between them. She shot forward. “We must write to Arthur, Mama. Right away. He is the only one Papa listens to. Perhaps Arthur can convince him of how wrong this is.”
“Yes,” Mama said. “I will pen the missive right now and have it sent post haste.” Her mother moved to her writing desk and penned the missive before ringing for a footman to ensure its delivery.
Marina hated herself for it, but in her frustration, she blamed Evan for all that had occurred. If he’d married her last year, none of this would be happening. They would be married and living a contented life in each other’s arms, which was a far cry from her current fate.
All the men in her life were unfit to make any of her decisions. Shecould only hope that her brother remained the one man she could trust and that his efforts kept her from needing to escape in the night.
Because she would disappear and leave everyone she loved behind before she would accept Minto.
Chapter Thirteen
Evan
Evan stopped byWhite’s to break his fast before he would visit Marina. With his funds restored and knowing just what a threat Minto would be to her, it would be best if they wed and he took her away for a while. He touched his pocket, feeling the betrothal ring through the layers of clothing. Hopefully, he would no longer carry it around after that day because it would sit on Marina’s finger with a promise to be his wife. They needed to announce their betrothal as soon as possible, if only to make it clear to Minto that she would never marry the ogre.
He noticed a group of gentlemen whispering about something at a nearby table but glanced back at his paper. The words were a blur on the page, distracted by what he would say to Marina. Surely, she was ready to forgive him. He hoped she might love him, or at least grow to love him, but if nothing else, he would keep her away from Minto.
“Might I join you?”