Page 3 of Uncrowned

“Dead?” My throat nearly closed.

“Your father and I really didn’t want to take this route given John’s… reputation. Seems you’ve left us with no choice. Your father is tired of your failures. He can’t afford anymore embarrassment. Especially after losing so much money on his recent venture. You’ve really left us no choice, Penelope. We’re going to have to take John up on his offer.”

“Offer? But Mother⁠—”

“Do not beg for another chance like a spoiled girl. You’re a woman now. Nearly twenty-one. You’re too old to live at home and too lazy and stupid to go back to the university. Your grades were horrendous. Your father had to bribe the professor just so you would pass.”

“That’s not true. I had great grades. I⁠—”

“Do I need to call your father?” I jolted to a stop just inside my door as she headed for my closet. “It’s settled, Penelope. We hoped for better, but we can’t risk this opportunity given your track record. You’ll marry John, and the rumors surrounding you both will disappear. You can help rebuild his good name after that horrible scandal around the Gilroy girl, and he can help rebuild our bloodline. He’s not Edwin, but he is an earl, too. It’s him or Davis Burk, who’s a baron. This is the best we can do.”

A tear raced down my cheek. I quickly reached up, wiping it away as I headed deeper into my bedroom. I stopped next to the cream ruffled, lace comforter, reaching down to fist it for some sense of grounding.

“You said John’s offer? He… wants me like that? He wants to marry me?”

Bright blue silk shimmered as my mother spun from my closet, heading my way.

“It started with Paul when you were thirteen. Your father would have taken offense had he not been soft for the boy. You know he likes Paul. But you should be a duchess. Everyone knows that. It doesn’t matter that we no longer hold the title. The Taylor name and history is golden—or was until your pictures got out. Now we’re in damage control. Again. With your beauty and money, you had the eye of the king. I’ve pointed that out to everyone on numerous occasions. But we know why he doesn’t choose you.” Her head gave a hard shake. “He’s too safe. Too… safe,” she sneered. “And we’re out of time. We can’t wait much longer. Not with your father—with you and your stupid decisions. It’s been over two hundred years. We’ve proven our loyalty. It’s water under the bridge. King Lawrence should reinstate your father. That’s what he should do.”

“Yes.”

My voice was light as I took the dress. There was no point engaging in a conversation that played on a loop. Every week it was the same thing, and every week my parents’ bitterness and anger rose. Not only for what they felt was injustice, but because my father wasn’t the best businessman. We had money. Lots of it. But his dealings caused talk. They were risky, sometimes bordering illegal. And then there was me. I didn’t seem to do anything right. Attending the university had been a breath of fresh air after my suffocating, abusive childhood. The freedom had been invigorating and wonderful, even if my parents did have me constantly followed and monitored. I’d finally been happy. I’d been out from under their crushing thumb. But then I attended one party. Pictures were sent to my father. After that, it all came tumbling down.

Embarrassment.

Yes.

That night I had been drunk and wild. I’d even gotten naked with a boy and would have gone all the way had the flash of a camera not ruined our moment. The pictures were sent to my father, and that was it for me—marriage, discipline… beatings. That was over a year ago now. A very long year.

“What is this? Tears? Are you crying? I can’t believe it. Ungrateful⁠—”

“No.” My hand shot up, stiff from how tightly I was gripping the comforter. “I am grateful.”

“You don’t look like it.”

“I told you I was feeling ill. I really think I’m coming down with something. I⁠—”

I didn’t continue or point out the stress I was under as her hand pressed against my forehead. Perfectly shaped dark eyebrows drew in, and my mother’s bow-shaped lips pursed. Black waves swayed against her shoulders as she let out a deep breath.

“Perhaps you do feel warm.” She glanced to the blue gown she held, looking back up at me. Something flashed on her face, warping through her thoughts as she scanned over my features. “You are a bit flushed. Get undressed and climb in bed. I’ll have Rose bring up your dinner. You’re done for today.”

“But… Father⁠—”

“Let’s see if absence makes the heart grow fonder. When John comes in to check on you, here, in bed, it’ll be all he can think about during dinner. He’ll just be that much more determined to make you his.”

My jaw tightened as I lowered my eyes.

Sickness didn’t excuse me from dinner, opportunity did.

My mother never agreed to anything unless it benefited her, and I had never been so valuable. John would pay generously for my bloodline. If the rumors were true, he’d also relish in spilling it.

CHAPTER 2

Vaughn

Words. Dates.

I couldn’t think of a time my life hadn’t revolved around four questions. Who. What. When. Where.