50 Ways to Ruin a Rake by Jade Lee Page B

barely a week away.”
    â€œI don’t understand any of this,” her father said. He stopped walking to drop into a chair by the fire. His entire spirit seemed diffuse, as if he hadn’t the strength or the will to support his own body.
    Mellie’s uncle put a comforting—or a condescending—hand on his brother’s shoulder then shot a glare at Mr. Anaedsley. “What is there to understand, Gregory? He seduced her. He came into your house, crept into her bedroom—”
    â€œHave a care, sir. You are speaking of my future wife.”
    â€œI am speaking of you, sir. How could you abuse—”
    â€œEnough!” Trevor had been standing, but somehow, the man appeared to grow taller. She was looking right at him so she saw him draw the mantle of his heritage about him. His shoulders straightened, his chin grew hard, and his words became clipped and cold.
    â€œI will answer this once because you are her family. She is as pure as the day I arrived. I have neither seduced nor debased anyone here, and you do her no credit to think such a thing.” Then he turned to her father, and his body softened a bit. “Sir, I know I should have spoken with you first. In truth, this…connection with your daughter has caught me by surprise. But I think you would wish us happy.”
    Her father slumped even further in his chair. “It’s just so unlike her.”
    And there it was. The words that had damned her from the beginning. She could tell that Trevor had no understanding of what those words meant in this family. He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. “A woman’s heart is a mysterious thing, sir. I can barely fathom my own actions except to say that your daughter is a prize among women.”
    His words heated her enough that the final frozen part of her began to move. She spoke for the first time in over an hour, her voice filling the room for all that she spoke in a whisper. “What he means, Mr. Anaedsley, is that such an impetuous action is something my mother would do.”
    Trevor frowned, obviously trying to remember her parent. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Isn’t it the most natural thing in the world for a daughter to resemble her mother?”
    Three exclamations of shock greeted his words. And no wonder as he’d just voiced everyone’s secret fear. With a sad smile, Mellie finally found the strength to stand. A moment later, she had crossed to Trevor’s side as she stood before her distraught father.
    â€œMama was somewhat impulsive,” she said neutrally.
    â€œSomewhat!” her father exclaimed. At least he didn’t snort like her uncle.
    Meanwhile, Trevor cocked his head to one side as he looked upon the three of them. “Impulsive? Or prone to dramatics like Ronnie?”
    â€œHow dare you, sir!” Ronnie’s father exploded. “My son is entirely sane!”
    Trevor drew back in surprise. “I don’t believe I suggested otherwise. Just that he’s prone—”
    â€œMama killed herself,” Mellie said softly. “I believe my family fears I might have inherited her madness.” There. She’d said the words. Now it remained to be seen if he would end this scheme for fear of her mother’s taint. “I suppose I should have told you earlier, but…”
    â€œNo, no,” he said, shaking his head. “Perhaps I already knew. Something about a bridge?”
    â€œYes—”
    â€œThis is outside of enough!” bellowed her uncle. And looking at her father, Mellie knew the man was at the last of his strength. She hadn’t realized how much of a blow her engagement would be to him. So she went to him, sinking down on her knees to be level with his eyes.
    â€œPapa, is it all so very odd? You have been singing Mr. Anaedsley’s praises since the first time you tutored him.”
    Her father shook his head. “And you have had nothing