Cheryl Holt by Secret Fantasy

Author:Secret Fantasy
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“I won’t do it.”

“You will.”

“I won’t. You can’t make me.”

Lavinia glared at her lazy, recalcitrant daughter, who was still abed and too indolent to rise and show her mother any deference. If Penelope persisted with her rebelliousness, Lavinia’s rage was so intense that she couldn’t predict what she might do.

“I don’t know where you acquired the notion that you can defy me, but I suggest you tamp it down.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” Penelope claimed.

“Aren’t you?”

“No. You’re jealous because Lord Kettering likes me best, so you’re forcing me to marry Lord Romsey to get me out of the way.”

“Let me be very clear: You will wed Romsey—or your precious fortune will vanish. You’ll no longer be a snooty heiress. You’ll be poor like everybody else. You’ll be nothing, at all.”

“That money is mine!”

“No, it isn’t. It’s held in trust, and I am the trustee, with full rights to disburse of it in any fashion I choose. So far, I’ve chosen to utilize it as your dowry, but if you continue with your insolence, I’ll change my mind.”

“You have to use it for my benefit!”

“Who’s to say I haven’t? I can fill my files with hundreds of false invoices, proving that I’ve spent every penny seeing to your welfare and that it’s all gone. Robert will lie for me and swear the expenditures are genuine.”

“No one will believe you!” Penelope insisted, though not as vehemently. The first inklings of alarm were sinking in.

“Why wouldn’t they? It will be your word against ours. Who will people find more credible? A respectable widow and her reputable companion? Or an impudent, hysterical child?”

“If you don’t allow me to have my dowry, I’ll never forgive you!”

“Are you supposing I care?” Lavinia chuckled. “Actually, I’d be perfectly happy to keep it for myself, and I don’t know why I didn’t consider it before. Perhaps I shall become the heiress in the family.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Penelope seethed.

“Wouldn’t I? Gad, but you’re so naïve.”

Lavinia had no doubt she would win the argument. Penelope’s entire life revolved around the fact that she was affluent. Her wealth defined her, gave her substance, and if it was suddenly snatched away, she’d be all but invisible.

Ultimately, she would yield, for she had no other option. She would marry Jordan, he would take her away, and Lavinia would be free to pursue Charles without interference.

Penelope’s temper got the better of her. She leapt off the bed to attack, but Lavinia was ready for her, a leather belt hidden in the fold of her skirt. As Penelope stormed over, Lavinia lashed out, smacking Penelope across the face. The blow stunned her, and she lurched away and fell to her knees, clutching her cheek.

“You hit me! You hit me!” she wailed over and over.

“Yes, I did, and if you sass me a second time, I’ll strike you again, and I’ll keep on striking you until I’ve beaten some sense into you.”

“I hate Lord Romsey!”

“So what? No woman has ever been permitted to marry for love.

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