4
“I will marry into House Thorne today. But I am not marrying you!”
The square fell silent. Even Damian seemed to hold his breath.
Clara’s sweet, cloying voice broke the stillness. “Lady Seraphina, you must be jesting. Lord Damian is th only son of the Duke. If not him, who would you marry?”
The words seemed to jolt Damian back to his senses. “Do you intend to marry my father?” he roared, hi: face contorted with rage. “You shameless harlot! I know your father indulges you, but I never knew you wer so utterly without morals! To say such a treasonous thing merely to spite me! When you see my parents, yo will kneel and beg their forgiveness. Otherwise, you will never be a lady of my house!”
His words were like shards of ice in my heart. The flicker of affection I thought I had seen in him was nothi
ng more than a phantom, a reflection in a pond. And still, fool that I was, I had clung to that illusion.
ignored him, turning to enter the cathedral. The bells would soon toll the final hour.
But a sudden vertigo washed over me. I was yanked backward, my body thrown to the ground, my head cracking against the stone steps. Blood blurred my vision.
Damian’s eyes hardened, as if coming to a final, irrevocable decision. “Disobedient to her husband, disrespe ctful to his family. You are not fit to be my Duchess.”
You may enter my house today, but you will do so as my mistress!”
With a savage cry, he reached for my wedding gown.
I will inform the King! A woman like you is unworthy of being a Thorne. The one who deserves to be the lady of this house is Clara! She is generous, but I will not see her slighted. Take off that gown! Today, I will we Clara. After our wedding night, I will send a simple carriage to bring you to the manor through the servants Jate!”
struggled, but the blow to my head had stolen my strength. I could only shield myself feebly as he ripped a he delicate fabric. My veil lay in the dust. I saw them clearly now. The man I adored, tearing the wedding Jown from my body for another woman. And that other woman, a triumphant smirk on her face, mouthing silent words at me:
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Chapter 1
“He. Is. Mine.”
Elspeth screamed, “Let my lady go!” but she was gagged and forced to the ground. The beautiful jewels in my hair were now a heavy burden, coming loose as I fought, the sharp pins grazing my skin, a pain that was nothing compared to the agony in my soul.
“Damian, stop this!” I warned, my voice hoarse. “House Ashton will not forgive this insult.”
But he was without mercy. “For raising a daughter like you, I should be the one demanding answers from House Ashton! A shameless creature like you does not deserve this gown! Do not delay my wedding to
Clara!”
My strength gave out. I could only watch as he tore the silver–threaded silk from my body and draped it ten- derly over Clara’s shoulders, whispering to her.
‘Clara, my love. Marry me today like this. In time, I will give you the grandest wedding this city has ever seen.
What say you?”
Clara blushed, burying her face in his shoulder. They looked like a pair of lovers from a ballad.
closed my eyes, a single tear tracing a path through the blood and grime on my cheek. My mother had co- nmissioned the city’s finest seamstress to create this gown. I had spent countless nights tracing the embro- dery, dreaming of the day I would wear it. I never dreamed this would be its end.
Seraphina! Are you going to lie at my door all day? Men! Drag her to the back gate! Do not bring bad fortune upon my wedding day!”
Two household guards moved to drag me away. I feebly tried to push them off.
I thought highborn ladies were paragons of virtue! Turns out she’s as desperate as any common trollop! Can‘
win the lord’s heart, so she hires an imposter!”
Hah! Seems these noble ladies are no different from the whores in the brothels!”
The unvarnished cruelty of the crowd threatened to swallow me whole. They began to throw rotten fruit and vegetables, their fury unsated. I couldn’t dodge in time, only managing to shield my face with my arms.
Was this it? Was I to die here, shamed and alone?
‘Insolence! What do you think you are doing?”
A voice, sharp and anxious, cut through the din. I forced my eyes open. In the distance, a figure in crimson wedding finery was sprinting toward me.
