THE DEFIANT LADY Read Online Free

self-reliant, and asking others for aid battered her self-worth. She knew there had been no other option, but the Duchess’s steady, unwavering and hostile gaze over dinner left her anxious. Thank God her sister was asleep down the hall. At least the sisters still had each other, for Ivy did not know what she would do if Willow had not been there.
    There was a light knock on her door and a moment later Willow popped her head in. “Ivy, are you asleep?”
    “Come in, Willow,” Ivy answered as she pulled back the covers on her bed and moved to light the candle on the bedside table.
    Willow entered the bedroom and closed the door. She quickly climbed into bed next to Ivy. “I have the softest, largest bed in the world, and yet I miss sharing our tiny bed.”
    Ivy sighed. “I think it will take some time to adjust to our new life.” She wondered if she would ever be comfortable in this cold, sheltered world. She felt like a caterpillar, waiting and hoping desperately to become a butterfly, and dreaming of flying away.
    “Get up,” Ivy said suddenly, throwing off the covers. She drew back the curtain to reveal a full moon. Reaching for her sash, she tied up her nightdress.
    “Please do not make me,” Willow pleaded.
    Ivy chuckled, but pulled Willow off the bed. “How is it you were ever going to be a ballerina? You hate to practice.”
    Willow shrugged and then tied up her own nightdress. “Perhaps I have more interests than just ballet?”
    Ivy looked at her and teased, “You had better not be speaking about pressing flowers into books. Come, let us begin.” The sisters began moving through dance positions almost without thought; it was so natural to them. When they finished, they clambered into Ivy’s huge upholstered bed. Ivy blew out the candle, and the girls fell asleep.

    ***

    “How did you sleep, Ivy?” Willow asked, her blue eyes wide with sham innocence.
    Ivy threw her younger sister a genuine smile and said, “Not as well as you, Willow. You can sleep anywhere.”
    Willow chuckled. Even after the dance positions, Ivy had a restless night. This morning, she was tired and listless. Willow, on the other hand, seemed to have a never-ending supply of energy, no matter how little sleep she received.
    They were as different in dispositions as they were in appearance. Willow looked like their mother. Tall, lithe, blonde and blue-eyed, she was incredibly sweet and feminine. Though she was talented at ballet, she had never been as committed as Ivy.
    Ivy had a sharp mind, a clear intellect and incredible spirit. Her small chin jutted out just enough to show a sense of dignity. Her eyes were emerald green and her cheekbones were flawlessly high. She was small in stature and could be mistaken for fragile, but there was a core of strength about her. How else had she managed after their mother died? When she took center stage, all eyes were on her, and it was though she grew three feet in height. She commanded attention.
    After breakfast, they walked down the hallway to the drawing room, Willow chattering on like a cheerful little songbird. Ivy listened with one ear as she took in her surroundings, likening the manor to a museum. It was prestigious and large and objects were to be looked at, but not touched. When they arrived at their destination, she smoothed her old blue gown to make sure she was as presentable as possible, not wishing to give the Duchess a reason to snipe at her.
      “How are you finding your rooms?” the Duchess asked when the girls were seated. Her tone was full of standard civility, but her face was blank, betraying no lingering emotion.
    “Beautiful and capacious. I have never had so much space to myself,” Willow replied earnestly. “Thank you so much.”
    Willow’s pleasure did nothing to melt the Duchess’s frosty demeanor. “You are welcome.” She looked at Ivy. “And you?”
    “I am settled,” Ivy clipped noncommittally.
    The Duchess compressed her lips, no doubt in