A Breath of Scandal: The Reckless Brides Read Online Free

of Cassie’s stammer. Lord help them all, what a dustup that had been, with Billy taller and older by at least three years. But Antigone had served notice that day that anyone who teased her sister would have to go through scrappy, hoydenish, tenacious Antigone Preston to do it, and the challenge still stood.
    “What of Cassie? But now you mention it, why should Lord Aldridge want me and not Cassandra? She is both the eldest and the most beautiful. Not that I would wish for her such a man—his gaze is much too calculating and appraising—but surely such an influential man would want a beautiful wife. Why should he want me instead?”
    Mama could only shrug—she did not care about Lord Adlridge’s apparent lapse of logic, only its result. “I have no idea. He did not ask for her. He asked for you. And Cassandra is meant for better things.”
    The careless words were another shocking kick, like a horse’s hoof to her chest. A different sort of pain left her breathless. “And I’m not?”
    Too wrapped up in her own emotions to consider another’s, Mama dismissed her bruised feelings with an impatient wave of her handkerchief. “Oh, you know what I mean, Antigone. He would chew her up and spit her out, but you—you’re impervious, and strong enough to withstand him. And with her beauty, Cassandra should have her pick of the highest men in the land, not just our musty corner of West Sussex. She could have her pick of such men, if only they could see her.”
    “If only she wanted to be seen. But she does not, Mama, and you know trying to make her a social triumph can only increase her unease, and with it her stammer.”
    “She does not stammer with you, at home.” Mama gripped her arm. “You must help her, and make her at least try to be more social. Do you not see? This is our chance.”
    “Our chance for what?”
    “To better ourselves. To see that Cassandra marries as well as her beauty and sweet nature demand. This is the first step.”
    “Lord Aldridge?”
    “Yes! With you engaged to him, we will move in higher circles. We will be invited to Thornhill Hall, and then to the better houses of the district.” For the first time in days, Mama’s eyes were alight with a glint of purpose. And determination. There would be no stopping her now that she had the bit between her teeth. “We must convince Lord Aldridge to hold a ball. And Lord Aldridge will go to London in the spring for the Season. We must see to it that we accompany him. Or his sister, Lady Barrington. She is a very great hostess, of some influence in society. We must have her to our side and have her sponsor Cassandra. Yes. Can you not see how it shall be?”
    “You want me to sacrifice myself—all my happiness—upon the altar of society so Cassie can marry well? Without any thought as to what might make her, or me, happy?” The wound was the shocking, cold plunge of a knife deep, deep within until there was no air, no warmth left in her chest. Nothing but frozen pain.
    It was so far beyond ridiculous, it was painful. And it wasn’t fair.
    Her father would have said, “The fair comes in September, Antigone, my girl, so you’ve got to think of something better than that.” But she couldn’t think. She could barely breathe.
    “Happiness,” her mother scoffed. “You’ve read too much of that romantic drivel. Happiness is choosing to take the opportunities that present themselves, nothing more.”
    Antigone’s voice sounded bruised, but she didn’t care if she had to beg. “Please, Mama. Don’t ask such a thing of me. We will be fine without Lord Aldridge. I promise you. We will be happy again. Time will pass and grief will loosen its grip and we will be happy again. Please. Please put all thoughts of houses and balls and seasons from your mind.”
    “No.” Her mother rounded on her with a face nearly glittering with some heady, heedless admixture of greed and anger and desperate fear. “Antigone, think! You don’t have to marry