The Untamed Earl(85)
“Not having friends is so sad, dear,” Lucy said. “I hope you’ll consider the three of us your friends from now on.”
“And Daphne, too,” Cass added. “You’ve yet to meet her but I just know the two of you will get on famously.”
“I will,” Alex said, wiping tears from her eyes. “I do. I’m absolutely privileged to call you all my friends. And as for kowtowing to Lavinia, I’m absolutely sick of it. I refuse to do it one moment longer. Not after this. I knew she was mean and selfish, but I never believed she’d stoop to this. I think that’s partially why I believed her. I just couldn’t imagine she’d do … this. I just—” Alex paced away again, biting her fingernail. “I only wish I knew what to do … about Owen.”
Jane marched over and patted Alex on the shoulder. “It’s become so complicated, you need all of us to work it out. That’s what friends do. We help each other. We’ll think of some way for you to get Owen back.”
“But I was so awful to him. I refused him. I told him I wouldn’t accept his suit if he were the last man on earth.”
Cass winced. “Not a particularly fine moment, but one that I’ve no doubt can be corrected.”
Alex looked up at her with more tears in her eyes. “Do you truly think so?”
“Absolutely,” Lucy replied, her different-color eyes sparkling. “But you’re going to have to be bold!”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
“Bold” was the same as “daring,” and Alex had learned to love to be daring. If any day called for some daring, it was today. And Alex knew just how she’d go about it. Lavinia was still having her fitting when Alex marched upstairs in search of her. Lavinia was in the room next to her bedchamber that had been converted into a large wardrobe expressly for her use. Madame Bergeron and her trusty assistant were busily fussing over her while Lavinia held out her arms and surveyed herself in the looking glass. New gowns were one of the few things that made Lavinia happy. She was certain to be in a less foul mood. Alex smiled to herself. She would be sure to change that.
When Alex strolled into the room, Lavinia looked up. Her eyes betrayed a bit of nervousness. Good.
“New gowns?” Alex asked, pasting a pleasant but decidedly fake smile on her face.
Lavinia glanced back down to the beige lace gown she was wearing. “Yes, I need a few.”
“God forbid you wear anything more than once,” Alex muttered.
Lavinia’s sharp voice stabbed through the air. “What was that?”
“Why, of course you’d need new gowns, what with your impending marriage.” She turned her attention to the Frenchwomen. “Did you happen to see the announcement of Lady Lavinia’s upcoming marriage in the paper?”
Madame Bergeron’s hand flew to her throat. “Oui. But of course, and we would be honored to design you zee most beautiful wedding gown in all zee kingdom,” she said to Lavinia. “Why, it shall rival Princess Charlotte’s. It shall—”
“It’s not entirely official yet.” Lavinia’s voice cut through the room again, ice dripping from her tone.
Alex eyed her warily. Her sister was growing more annoyed and angry by the moment. Good.
“Not official yet?” Alex allowed her eyebrows to shoot up. “Surely it’s official if it’s been announced in the paper.”
Lavinia clapped her hands, her mouth shaped into an unpleasant pout. “Please excuse us, madame, mademoiselle.”
The modiste and her assistant exchanged wide-eyed glances. “Of course, my lady.” The two Frenchwomen hurried out of the room, closing the door behind them.
Alex strolled closer to her sister and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it wasn’t ‘entirely official,’ or I wouldn’t have mentioned it in front of them.”
Lavinia’s eyes flared. “I didn’t mean that. I meant—”
“No. You know what is ‘entirely official,’ Lavinia?”
Her sister blinked at her.
“It’s entirely official that you are a viper. A snake in expensive clothing.”
Lavinia’s mouth fell open. Her face turned red. “How dare you?” she thundered.
For the first time in her life, Alex turned fully toward her sister and matched her raised voice. “No! How dare you! How dare you lie to me? How dare you do it just to be mean? Just because you’re pure evil. Owen never wanted you. And he certainly never asked you to marry him. And why did you do it? Because you fell in love with him? Couldn’t live without him? No! You did it because you found out he wanted me, and you couldn’t stand that. You’re so selfish and awful that you simply couldn’t bear to know he wanted me and not you. You’re spiteful and you’re hideous and you deserve nothing less than to spend your life alone.”