"No, please. Don't take her. Lily."
"Edward, please don't do this. How dare you? Stop this immediately."
Just moments before Duke Edward Ashbourne was meant to say his wedding vows, his 8-year-old daughter was dragged from the chapel in tears. The bride had ordered that the child be removed from every family portrait. No one dared object until the nanny stepped into the aisle and said, "Stop this wedding."
The private chapel at Ashbourne Hall had never held so many guests. Noble families filled every polished pew while candles burned beneath stained glass windows and white roses covered the altar. The marriage between Duke Edward Ashbourne and Lady Rosamund Vale would unite two of England's most powerful houses. To society, it was a perfect match. To Edward, it was a practical one.
3 years had passed since the death of his wife. During that time, Ashbourne Hall had become quiet, orderly, and unbearably cold. Edward believed Rosamund would restore stability to his household and provide the guidance his daughter needed. He had never asked Lily whether she wanted a new mother.
That morning, Lady Lily Ashbourne stood inside the bridal chamber wearing a pale ivory dress that had once belonged to her mother. Her dark hair had been carefully curled, and a small gold locket rested against her chest. Inside, it was a miniature portrait of the late Duchess.
Amelia Heart knelt before her and straightened the ribbon around her waist. "You look beautiful," she said.
Lily touched the locket nervously. "That is not the same."
Amelia looked into the child's uncertain eyes. Edward loved his daughter. Of that, Amelia had no doubt. But his grief had made him distant, and Lily had learned to hide every difficult emotion so that she would not add to his sorrow.
Before Amelia could answer, the door opened. Lady Rosamund entered wearing a magnificent white silk gown. Pearls decorated her golden hair, and her expression carried the polished calm that had convinced London she would make an ideal duchess. Her gaze fell immediately upon Lily's locket.
"What is that?"
Lily covered it with one hand. "It belonged to Mama."
Rosamond's smile became thin. "You cannot wear it today."
Lily stared at her. "Why?"
"Because today is not a memorial service."
Amelia rose. "Her grace's portrait will be hidden beneath the flowers she carries. Few guests will even notice it."
"I noticed it." Rosamond stepped closer to Lily. "After today, this family will have a new duchess. You must learn not to cling to the dead whenever you wish to attract your father's attention."
Lily's face lost its color. "I do not do that."
"Then remove it."
The child's fingers trembled around the locket. Amelia moved between them. "Lady Lily was told she could wear something of her mother's."
"By whom?"
"By his grace."
Rosamond's eyes hardened. "Edward agreed that she might wear the dress."
Lily tried to pull the chain over her head, but her hands shook so badly that Amelia had to help her. Rosamond took the locket and placed it on the dressing table.
"There, that is better."
A servant appeared at the door to announce that the chapel was ready. Amelia's voice remained calm though anger had begun to rise beneath it. "She will compose herself."
Rosamond turned toward the servant. "Take Lady Lily to the cloakroom. She is not to enter the chapel or appear in the wedding portraits."
Lily stepped back. "Papa wants me there."
"Your father wants one peaceful day."
The servant hesitated, but Rosamond's expression left no room for refusal. The servant had locked the door from the outside, perhaps believing it was the only way to prevent Lily from running toward her father. Amelia opened it with a key borrowed from the housekeeper.
Lily sat on the floor between heavy winter coats, struggling not to sob. Amelia knelt beside her.
"What else has Lady Rosamund said to you?"
The child shook her head. "Lily, I cannot protect you from something I do not understand."
Then Lily whispered, "She said I am leaving after the wedding."
Amelia went still. "Leaving for where?"
"A school in Scotland. She said girls become disobedient when servants spoil them."
"Did your father tell you this?"
"No."
"Have you spoken to him?"
Lily wiped her eyes. "He is finally happy. If I ruin the wedding, he will hate me."
Amelia felt something break inside her. Edward had spent months arranging a marriage he believed would give Lily security. While the child had spent those same months believing she was about to lose her home.
Amelia stood and held out her hand. "Come with me."
The ceremony had already begun when the chapel doors opened. Every head turned. Rosamund stood beside Edward at the altar, her hand resting lightly in his. The priest had just begun the formal address when Amelia walked down the aisle with Lily behind her. Rosamund's expression sharpened. Edward looked first at Amelia, then at his daughter's tear-stained face.
"Miss Hart," he said, his voice low with warning. "What is the meaning of this?"
Amelia stopped several steps from the altar. "This wedding cannot continue until your grace knows what has been done to your daughter."
Whispers moved through the pews. Rosamund turned toward the guests. "This servant has become dangerously attached to the child."
"My position," Amelia replied, "is to protect Lady Lily when no one else is listening."
Edward's jaw tightened. He disliked public disorder, and Amelia had just created the greatest scandal Ashbourne Hall had witnessed in years. Yet Lily was trembling behind her. Edward stepped down from the altar. "What happened?"
Rosamund reached for him. "Edward, do not reward this performance."
He pulled his hand away. Then he looked at Lily. "Did Lady Rosamond order you to leave the chapel?"
Lily looked toward Rosamond and immediately lowered her eyes. A child did not say such a thing unless someone had already convinced her that her father's love could be taken away. Rosamond descended the altar steps and took Edward's arm.
"She is frightened because Miss Heart has manipulated her. Remove the servant, calm the child, and we may still prevent this humiliation from becoming permanent."