Why Gideon?”
Merrick looked toward him.
“Because Mother trusted the Rooks.”
Rosalie frowned.
Merrick wiped his eyes.
“I knew about the letter.
Not what was in it.
Just that Mother once wrote Gideon’s mother.”
He swallowed.
“When Bell offered Father money for you, I panicked.”
“So you went to Gideon.”
“I thought if you married Rook, Father couldn’t give you to Bell.”
“You could have told me.”
“I know.”
“You could have asked me.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe Gideon bought me.”
Merrick lowered his eyes.
“Yes.”
Rosalie slapped him again.
This time he did not move.
“I deserved that.”
“No,” Rosalie said.
“You deserve to live long enough to become someone who wouldn’t.”
Merrick looked up.
Her anger broke into grief.
“You were supposed to be my brother.”
He whispered, “I know.”
Rosalie turned away.
Silas remained near his desk.
He seemed strangely diminished.
“What happens now?” he
