Free The Bride Behind the Curtain by Darcie Wilde

obviously chasing your own
sister
!”
    Adele tried to speak. There must be some way she could fling her aunt’s words back in her face.
    â€œThankfully, I found you before any real damage was done,” her aunt huffed.
    Before he kissed me. Before I could find out whether he really did want me, or whether I am what you say. A silly girl.
    â€œNow, Adele, I am willing to draw a veil over this entire distressing incident, but you must let it serve you as a warning. This is your last chance. If you cannot conduct yourself as your situation demands, I will see that you stay in the country for the season.”
    Adele looked up at her, mute, furious, lost.
    â€œI have no wish to pain you, my girl, but you have forced my hand. I will speak to your brother if I must. He will listen to me.”
    Yes, he will.
“Why would you treat me this way?” she croaked at last.
    â€œBecause it is what your mother wanted.”
    The words hit her hard, knocking her back and leaving her jaw hanging open. “I don’t believe that!”
    â€œYou should,” said her aunt stonily. “It was the last thing she asked of me. Almost the last thing she ever said.” Her aunt’s eyes went distant, and Adele found herself surprised at the genuine grief she saw there. “I can still feel how her hand gripped mine. She’d been so weak, and yet she almost bruised me. I had to lean over to hear her, and she said . . . she said, ‘Patience is safe. Patience can be trusted to find her own way, but you must promise that you will protect my Adele. Men will prey upon her good nature, and you must save her from that.’ She begged me to swear to it, and I did.”
    â€œIt can’t be true,” Adele whispered.
    Aunt Kearsely pulled her handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her eyes. “It is entirely true, and I have done my utmost to keep that vow.”
    Adele tried to picture her mother, lying back on her pillows, holding Aunt Kearsely’s hand, but no image came. She’d always loved her mother, but they’d never been close. She and Patience had been raised by nurses and governesses in the usual way. Her memories of her mother seemed to be mere glimpses; Mother poring over letters at her desk, Mother dictating orders to the servants, Mother waiting alone at the table when she and Patience were brought in to say good night and get two kisses each, because Father was away, again.
    â€œBut why would she?” Adele hated the plaintive note in her voice, but speaking calmly in this moment was beyond her. “Why would she trust Patience and not me?”
    â€œBecause she was your mother, Adele,” said Aunt Kearsely sternly. “She knew you, and she knew the hazards you faced. It is not for you to question her decisions, but to trust in her love and care and obey.”
    How did she know? What did she know?
Adele bit her tongue. She didn’t trust her voice. Tears prickled hard against her eyes. If she spoke at all, she risked crying, but the question wouldn’t leave her.
Why? Why did you do this?
    Aunt Kearsely sat down across from Adele and patted her hand.
    â€œNow, now, you mustn’t think I’ve no care at all for your future. Once Patience is properly settled, we will find you a steady widower with his own fortune. We need not be as concerned about rank. Since you will be an older bride, that will not matter so much.”
    â€œBecause that’s the best a girl who looks like me can hope for,” said Adele dully.
    â€œBest and safest. Yes, Adele, it is.”
    There it was. Finally, she had her explanation, and it was all spelled out as plainly and clearly as she could wish. She was too plain, too unsophisticated, too stupid to be trusted. She must be hidden away, broken down, set aside. It was for Patience to make an exquisite marriage, and once that was done, Adele could be handed off to someone who could be trusted manage her