Free The Redemption of Lord Rawlings by Rachel Van Dyken Page B

into the Tempest townhome. Smiling, she sighed and began to make her way toward the stairs when she heard her name.
    Turning, she saw Emma and Sebastian both seated in the salon. “Yes?”
    “ Come and sit for a bit, Abby.” Emma patted the chair next to her.
    Sebastian appeared angry as she flopped alongside her sister.
    Emma nodded to the door, the maid left and re-entered with a few dresses of Abigail’s that had been hidden among her things.
    “ I’ve been told you went shopping for new dresses?” Emma said dryly. “Imagine my surprise when the maid found a few of your old ‘ruined’ dresses whilst cleaning your room. Care to explain?”
    Abigail could only stare. If she told the truth, they would know. Better they think her frivolous than lovesick. “I needed more dresses and knew Father wouldn’t purchase them for me, since he had already paid for an entire wardrobe.”
    “ And what was wrong with these dresses?” Emma looked to Sebastian for help. He sat, silent, emotionless.
    “ They aren’t the thing. Surely as a duchess you know that, Emma. I mean, look at the neckline, and they are all in pastels. How am I ever supposed to make a good catch with pastels?”
    “ All debutantes wear pastels, Abigail.” Sebastian looked away. “Do you understand how much blunt your parents have spent on you already? Are you not thankful?”
    Abigail was silent. Of course she was thankful. Did they think her that spoiled?
    Emma patted Abigail’s hand. “It was wrong of you to deceive Father and us. You have enough. There are plenty of young girls who would kill to be in your position, Abby. You should apologize to Father for your deception and return the new dresses.”
    “ Return the new dresses?” Abigail said angrily. “Why would I do that? I would be a laughingstock. Imagine, the daughter of a viscount returning dresses.”
    “ Abby!” Emma snapped. “I really have no patience for this. What you did was deceitful and ungrateful.”
    “ You aren’t my mother.” Abigail snorted. “Besides, I need them.”
    “ For what purpose other than to flaunt yourself even more?” Emma’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I do not understand why you are making this bigger than it is. Simply return the dresses, Abby.”
    “ I will do no such thing.” Abby swallowed the lump of emotion rising in her throat. A sickening feeling took over when the tears Emma was holding in spilled forth onto her cheeks in rapid succession.
    “ Pardon me.” She ran from the room, leaving Abigail alone with a furious-looking Sebastian.
    Abigail swallowed. “I—”
    “ Save it, Abby. I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve listened to your side, and it seems I’m correct in my assumption. Can you not be content with what you have? We demand honesty from you, and you attack us.”
    Abigail bristled. “You caught me off guard, and you know people will be gossiping about me if I return the dresses.”
    “ So gossip is more important to you than the feelings of your family? Of those who love you, Abigail?”
    “ No, but, you know how it is.”
    Sebastian scoffed. “Yes, I do. I know that in order to be worthy of adoration you have to do something worthwhile. You manipulate, lie, and deceive in order to gain what you want. But, Abby, you will rue the day when things spiral out of control, and the same family you snuffed your nose at will be all that’s left to help you pick up the pieces.”
    “ Seb—”
    “ Enough!” he bellowed. “I will see to your sister. Do what you must— keep the dresses, burn them—I don’t care.”
    The silence was daunting. Abigail wasn’t sure what to do. The thought of telling them the truth made her feel even more ill. Surely they would not approve of her feelings for Rawlings, and they would be horrified to know she bought new dresses so he would see her differently. In fact, that just might drive Sebastian mad enough to lock her in her room. The tightness in her throat was overwhelming, almost making