“I never thought you to be one for dramatics either.” Her stepmother huffed as she set the letter down. “But first sneaking around your fiancé’s private study and then rushing off with your knight in shining armor like some sort of slattern.” She made a tsking noise as Delilah’s jaw fell.
Her mind was still struggling to catch up but she could not quite reconcile this new turn of events. It did not help that, aside from her guard’s attack, her visit to her family home felt absurdly…normal. The drawing room was still filled with that cloying scent, the servants still cowered in silence and ignored what was going on around them.
That blasted clock still ticked too loudly in the otherwise too-quiet room.
And yet…
She stared down at the man who’d been told to keep her safe.
He still had not moved.
“My father,” she started slowly, feeling like an absolute imbecile for having to ask. “His health…”
“Is the same as ever.” Her stepmother’s normally cool voice was laced with irritation. “Stubborn man. The old goat refuses to die.” Her mother’s sudden smile caught her off guard and she blinked. “But that’s all right. It’s for the best that he hung on this long. Just long enough for you to marry the man of my choosing.”
Delilah blinked again. “Your choosing?”
Her stepmother let out a short humorless laugh. “Delilah, dear. Your father has barely been alive, let alone awake, for two years now. You did not think that he had a hand in your betrothal, now did you?”
Delilah’s mouth opened but no sound came out.
“I’ve been handling all the decisions around here for a long time now.” Her eyes were hard when they landed on Delilah. “I’ve been running this household, raising his spoiled brat of a daughter, ensuring his properties are making money as his mind failed him. I’ve been doing it all…and for what?” She leaned forward. “Do you have any idea what your father left me in his will?”
Delilah swallowed and shook her head.
“Nothing,” her stepmother hissed. “A paltry allowance, barely fit for a pauper. Whatever was not entailed all goes to you and your precious dowry.” She sneered those last words, years of disdain finally breaking through that icy façade. “The land by the sea, the money…it’s all wrapped up in your dowry, you ungrateful little cur.”
Fear was stealing over her, finally…belatedly. She should have been terrified the moment she’d entered and realized that there was no doctor here, and then she should have screamed in horror when her stepmother’s footman and carriage driver took her guard down from behind.
She ought to have been fearful from the start, but she hadn’t because…this was home. And her stepmother had been as placid and cool as ever. They’d sat together in silence like they’d done a hundred times before as they waited for the carriage to be brought ‘round to take them to a soiree or a ball.
But now…
Now her stepmother’s words were beginning to register and understanding dawned. Her stepmother had formed an alliance with Everley. She’d been behind this from the start.
Running off with your knight in shining armor. She knew about the carriage accident and, what was more…she knew about Rupert.
That was what finally had terror setting in. Too late, perhaps, but at least she could say the fear was on behalf of another.
For an ungrateful, spoiled brat she supposed that was something to brag about. She probably ought to be worried about her own safety, but all she could think about was Rupert.
Was he safe? Had he found Everley?
Would he finally get his revenge?
Her gaze settled once more on the stranger who lay at her feet, seemingly forgotten by her stepmother.
Just so long as Rupert was safe. That was what mattered.
As for her…
She took a deep breath and lifted her head. Years of practice had her sliding into the role she’d adopted a lifetime ago. Leaning back in her seat, she squared her shoulders and feigned a bored apathy. “What do you plan to do with me now?”
“You’ll marry Everley, of course,” her stepmother said. “As planned.”
She too seemed to have caught herself and settled once more back into the role she’d perfected. Cool, calm, unperturbed, and unfeeling.
“How will that benefit you?” Delilah asked. “If I become Everley’s wife and he obtains the dowry…” Her voice trailed off as ice stole through her veins.
Delilah knew. Of course she figured it out. She was spoiled, perhaps, but not stupid.
Her stepmother gave her a small smile and Delilah caught a flash of triumphant cruelty in those beautiful blue eyes. “You will not be his wife for long.”
“He will murder me,” Delilah whispered. Her stepmother did not confirm the matter, but she did not need to. “He will end me and you will take my place.”
“Once your father finally dies, yes,” she said. Her eyes were starting to glow with pleasure. “And then all that ought have been mine, will be.”
It was clear that her stepmother was glad to be telling her this. Despite her calm, Delilah sensed a shift in her stepmother. A new energy.
Elation, perhaps. Triumph, definitely.
She’d won, and she knew it.
Meanwhile, Delilah hadn’t even known they’d been at war.
How odd.
The clock ticked the seconds, and Delilah shivered despite herself at the ominous sound. It was a monotonous countdown to the final moments of her life. And then it clicked. Her slow, shock-addled brain made the connection at last. “You were behind the carriage incident.”
Her stepmother smiled as though Delilah were a dull student who’d finally gotten the right answer. “Yes, that was me. Well, that was me and Everley.” Her smile turned affectionate. “He and I make for a wonderful partnership. At long last I’ve found someone who respects my intellect and understands my worth.”
Delilah nearly choked on bile at the thought of her stepmother and Everley plotting her murder together as some sort of romantic interlude.
Her stepmother’s
