A Cursed Heart by Jenny Hickman

Author:Jenny Hickman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing

20

The entire town of Graystones had squeezed into our ballroom, filling the space with useless chatter and false laughter. And yet it felt like no one could see me. They spoke to me, sure. But none of them saw the misery beneath my smile. I’d been forced to stand between Robert and my father while guests arrived, each one more resplendent than the last. I’d never felt so alone.

The moment the doors fell closed, I excused myself, escaping to one of the curtained alcoves in the ballroom to gather myself before my final performance.

Two more hours. Just two more hours.

And then all of this would be over.

My father must’ve spent a fortune of Lord Trench’s money on this soiree, extending invitations to every person he’d ever met. He should’ve been ashamed that his poor investments and bad business ventures had ruined us. Instead, he stood in the corner gloating with his friends over the fine match he’d made for his eldest daughter.

And he expected me to sit back and smile about being sold to the highest bidder like a pawn.

“Aveen?” My sister’s voice went through me like a dagger as she squeezed herself into my alcove. The frilly pink dress she wore had been a birthday gift from our father last year.

“What do you need?” I asked. Tears welled behind my eyes as I committed the scent of her lavender perfume to memory.

“You said you weren’t going to marry him.” Keelynn’s voice broke on the final word. Silver tears gathered along her thick lashes. “You swore you’d fix this.”

“Keelynn, please keep your voice down.” These could be the last few minutes I spent with her alone. If someone found us, it’d be over. I closed my eyes so I didn’t have to face her pain, saying a silent prayer for strength. “I will fix it, but you have to be patient.” I couldn’t say more than that without giving myself a splitting headache.

“Father announced your betrothal two weeks ago, and you’ve done nothing.”

If only I could tell her all that I had done to ensure her happiness. Trunks full of beautiful dresses waited for her in the spare room, an ivory gown made to her measurements hung in my closet, and cartloads of hydrangeas were ready for the church. She and Robert would be off to Iodale on their romantic honeymoon getaway the day after they wed. “Delicate matters take time to resolve.”

She continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “I’m the one who loves Robert. I’ve always loved him,” she sobbed. “Why didn’t you tell Father to pair him with me?”

I wanted to be the one to wipe away her tears. To tell her the truth.

To tell her that I had tried.

I had done everything within my power to avoid this fate. And it had been all for nought.

So instead, I gripped her shoulders, waited until her eyes locked with mine, and said, “You have to trust me. Have I ever let you down?”

Her lip jutted out, but she shook her head.

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