Chapter Twenty

S he'd ruined everything.

Everything.

After Lexi had spoken to Wendy, she took the carriage home, rushed to her room, and cried till dawn. The light flickered, and the fire in the hearth had burned out. On a stand next to her changing table was the golden-yellow dress, her intended wedding gown. Lexi grimaced as pain pierced her heart. She'd ruined all of her prospects.

A knock.

"Lexi?" Melissa whispered. "Lexi, dear, please let me in." She opened the door and peeked in. "Oh no, why the tears again?"

Lexi straightened herself but couldn't muster more than the poise of a half-mast flag. If this were heartbreak felt like, she'd rather… rather… no, nothing came to mind. All she wanted was the dentist-prince. Another kiss. Another lifetime.

At the thought of him, she sniffled, and Melissa produced a handkerchief from her sleeve. "Here." She handed it to her and retrieved a letter from her cleavage. "And this came for you." She sat on the edge of the mattress.

Lexi wiped her sore, swollen eyes before she opened the letter and began to read,

Dearest Lexi,

Your letter was a puzzle at best, and I couldn't understand it.

But yes, I am his duchess and am writing this on the eve of my departure for our honeymoon. Don't call him Lord Glowering anymore, lest I be Lady Glowering. Oh, how wrong I was to dismiss love. I hope you didn't take my silly advice and gambled your future away with the Black Widow…

"How did Ashley know?" Melissa had read the letter as Lexi did, looking over her shoulder.

"I'm not sure. It had seemed like such a marvelous idea."

"And now?"

Lexi dissolved into tears again. How could she tell her beloved big sister that everything that was happening and would happen was all her fault? If she hadn't run off with Prinny to do whatever sinful things she'd done, their family wouldn't have been under the ton's scorn, and Lexi wouldn't have had to rush to secure a husband before it was too late to do so.

But then, it appeared she wouldn't need to tell her. "You went to Mrs. Dove-Lyon because of me, didn't you?" Melissa asked as she picked at her cuticles. "You were afraid that my liaison would cause a scandal."

"Yes, because of the sharp tongues—"

"Who spoke about me? No, wait. Don't tell me. I can imagine."

"Oh Melissa, you know I love you." Lexi threw her arms around her.

"I know, little sister. But you are in love, too. Am I right?" Melissa returned her embrace before leaning back to look at her with her hands still on Lexi's shoulders.

Lexi gave a wistful smile.

"And Mrs. Dove-Lyon is forcing you to marry another because you have an agreement with her?"

Lexi blinked at her sister. No words were necessary, though the near-constant tears spoke volumes.

"I see." Melissa rose. "She's infuriating! When I showed her Prinny's letter, she had a million questions and—"

What? Lexi heard herself gasp. "Why did you go to see her? When? How did you…"

Melissa took a step, then paused and turned to look at her. "Why does any fallen girl go to the Lyon's Den?"

"To fall prey," Lexi said, but Melissa laughed nervously.

"I've long been preyed on, little sister. It's time I take a bite myself."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I have an arrangement with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, too."

"Oh no, she's going to… oh no, Melissa!"