her. And he sent up a silent prayer that Marietta would make her way back to the stables soon to demand answers of him. Because he had a few questions to put to her too.
How long could one stay numb? Marietta moved the teacup from saucer to mouth and back down again and felt as though she were merely watching a play. Nothing that day had penetrated the fog inside her. From the time sheâd pulled herself from the floor at dawn, a cloud had descended over her vision. Of all the memories branded into her, yesterdayâs would remain the most vivid.
She had betrayed Lucien.
Dev was a monster.
Her grandfather was a spy.
And she had been charged with protecting a wolf. Though she was none too sure he wouldnât turn around and snap at her if she tried.
Mama chatted on about the aid meeting yesterday, about the next one planned, about how sorry Daddy had been to miss her visit. Words, nothing but words.
âMarietta, sweetheart, are you feeling ill? You seem so distracted.â
âIâm sorry, Mama. I suppose Iâm still a bit tired.â She dredged up a smile. âHow long is Daddy here, do you know?â
âJust until tomorrow. More tea?â
She shook her head and cast her gaze out the window. If her father werenât due back any minute, she would make her excuses and go home. Curl up on her bed and try to forget. If only she could pull a blanket over her mind. Obscure the past for just a moment.
âItâs good to see you out of second mourning already.â Her mother sipped and then lowered her cup. A dance of graceful movements. Yet her delicate brows were drawn. âThough I do hope youâll not rush into another marriage. I know you areâ¦fondâ¦of Dev, butââ
âYou neednât worry about that. I think Iâ¦â Her motherâs gaze pierced. Too intent, too interested. Marietta set her saucer upon the table and toyed with the edge of the linen napkin. âI should have listened to you. I never should have had anything to do with Lucien.â
Mama chuckled and selected a piece of cake. As if all was right with the world. As if they hadnât had fifty-seven different arguments about Lucien Hughes before she married him. âYou were in love. Reason had no effect on you.â
âNo, I wasnât.â She had wanted to believe she wasâ¦but then, why hadnât she ever been able to say the words to him? Part of her had known all along she wasnât. âWas it just his money? His looks? Why was I so convinced I had to marry him?â
Her mother scooted her chair closer to Mariettaâs, concern etching lines into her face. âHas something happened?â
She shrugged. âI never really mourned him, and nowâ¦now, when I decided to try, I wonder why I made the decisions I did. Decisions that sealed my future. And now with Devâ¦â
âYouâve no obligation to marry him, much as he may wish it.â Her motherâs fingers, familiar and warm, brushed away a curl from Mariettaâs temple. âDo you want to come home? We can have your room ready in minutes. I would love it if you would. We could keep each other company. Worry for your father and uncles together.â
For the first time, that oft-repeated suggestion sounded tempting. If she didnât have to face Dev every day, perhaps her heart would stop twisting. Perhaps the disgust and the echo of desire would stop waging war. She could break free. Start again as someone else, anyone else.
Except she couldnât. She had promised Granddad she would help. And she owed it to him, to Stephenâs memory, to her whole family. Who knew what damage had been done through her, the Hugheses using her connections against the Union? All because of her choices.
Now, it seemed, she would pay for them. âPerhaps I will soon.â How long could Mr. Osborne possibly continue his charade? He would find whatever he needed, and he would