Verity had nearly run from the altar, that was the simple fact she couldn't stop dwelling upon. Somewhere deep within herself she had hoped that either Ford or Noble would've put a stop to the affair. After all, she had hinted to Ford that she had doubts, hadn't she? Was the look they shared prior to the ceremony not a silent plea? How could either of them have allowed her to go through marrying a half blooded criminal? (Not that either of them knew that particular fact about her now-husband, of course. That was a secret she would now have to carry to her grave.) Everett Swann, while tremendously kind for marrying her despite the circumstances, met none of the standards she had set out for herself.
She should have run from the wedding.
Distantly, she wondered if it was too late to have the entire thing annulled. They hadn't consummated the wedding yet, which from her understanding was the most important piece. However, should an examination of her person be required then every secret she held would be instantly revealed. She was no maiden anymore; she had been sullied and ruined by that sick, twisted man. There could be no annulment, this was her life now.
After changing into more suitable evening attire, Verity had paced the length of her room thrice before Everett knocked on her door. Would he be joining her here after they dined? Would the only avenue to freedom be so swiftly removed? She couldn't refuse him if he did ask, not after everything he'd done to save her from ruin. Moving to the door, Verity undid the locks and opened it with the practiced, polite smile glued to her face. This was her life, she would have to find a way to be happy. "Hello again," she greeted. "Should we head down or would you like to come in a minute?"
She should have run from the wedding.
Distantly, she wondered if it was too late to have the entire thing annulled. They hadn't consummated the wedding yet, which from her understanding was the most important piece. However, should an examination of her person be required then every secret she held would be instantly revealed. She was no maiden anymore; she had been sullied and ruined by that sick, twisted man. There could be no annulment, this was her life now.
After changing into more suitable evening attire, Verity had paced the length of her room thrice before Everett knocked on her door. Would he be joining her here after they dined? Would the only avenue to freedom be so swiftly removed? She couldn't refuse him if he did ask, not after everything he'd done to save her from ruin. Moving to the door, Verity undid the locks and opened it with the practiced, polite smile glued to her face. This was her life, she would have to find a way to be happy. "Hello again," she greeted. "Should we head down or would you like to come in a minute?"
set by mj