The family was in a state of shell-shocked silence, the atmosphere heavy with tension and dread. Katherine was tending to Thomas' bruised fists, her eyes flickering anxiously between her husband and daughters. Thomas was uncharacteristically silent, his countenance reflecting a sense of defeat and resignation.
"It would seem," he finally began, his voice a weary sigh, "that Philip is intent on tarnishing our family's reputation in order to coerce me into accepting his proposal." He cast a somber glance between Daisy and Lila. "You two need to marry as soon as possible. I fear Lord Blackthorne's offer may not stand in light of these rumors."
Daisy's hands twisted nervously in her lap. The prospect of losing any chance to get married was daunting. Without her reputation, she was confined to this house, forever a servant to her stepfamily. She felt a pit of dread form in her stomach.
What man would ever wish to marry her now? And what of Lila?
