her gaze moved across the room to where Lord Gillingham was still speaking to their mother and father. Indeed, Leonora saw puzzled and somewhat disapproving expressions upon their parents’ faces as they looked from the young lord in front of them to Leonora, frowns drawing down their brows before they suddenly set off and strode in their direction.
After quietly observing the sisters’ discussion, Drake once more moved forward, his warm eyes finding Leonora’s. “Your grandmother told me herself that you need to remember how to stand tall. You’re strong,” he glared at Gillingham over his shoulder as the man followed in her parents’ wake, “and you need to show him that.”
“All for one,” Christina stated with a wide smile, her hand grasping Leonora’s tightly.
“And one for all,” Harriet finished as she stepped forward and placed her hand on top of her sisters. She sighed, a wide smile coming to her face. “Oh, I always loved that story!”
Leonora could not believe what was happening. A part of her urged her not to allow her sisters to make that sacrifice. Yet, another part of her told her that sometimes sacrifices were necessary for the greater good. After all, men like Lord Gillingham needed to be stopped. They needed to know that they could not simply dominate and intimidate people without repercussions. It was time someone took a stand.
And it seemed that someone was her.
As much as Leonora detested the thought of being the center of attention, of feeling others’ judgmental eyes upon her, she knew that she would always regret it if she refused to be daring and bold and…yes, dauntless…
…now,
…here,
…in this moment.
It was her moment after all. Hers alone, and she would seize it and say her piece.
Yes, she refused to be a victim any longer.
It would end today.
Chapter Forty
Face to Face with the Wicked
Drake felt the burning desire to step forward and plant his fist in Gillingham’s face.
He did not though.
Instead, he took a step backward, allowing Leonora to take charge of the situation, something he knew she needed to do. Still, he remained at her side, only a step or two away, should the need arise for him to interfere.
A victorious smile upon his face, Gillingham followed Lord and Lady Whickerton across the ballroom toward their daughter. There was something vindictive and malicious in his gaze that told Drake that he was used to getting his way, that no one had ever dared refuse him. Indeed, the look upon his face was one of superiority, like a king who deemed himself better than his subjects, ruling over them without any regard or consideration.
He was the worst sort of man, and Drake found himself agreeing with Lady Christina. He, too, wanted to see Gillingham learn this long-overdue lesson.
“Leonora, dear,” Lord Whickerton addressed his daughter, apprehension upon his face as he exchanged a look with his wife, “Would you accompany us, Dear? There is something we need to discuss.” He glanced at Gillingham, his gaze slightly narrowed.
Leonora nodded, then accepted her father’s other arm.
Forcing himself to remain in the background, Drake watched as Lord Whickerton and his wife led Leonora from the drawing room…her entire family following upon their heels.
Gillingham seemed somewhat uncomfortable at suddenly finding himself surrounded by Leonora’s family. After all, half of them already knew him to be the villain in this story and did not hide their disdain for him, daggers shooting from their eyes.
Particularly from Lady Christina’s.
Drake forced himself to remain in the background, following at a distance. He watched as the family stepped into a drawing room, no doubt hoping for a certain measure of privacy; unfortunately, from the sound of it, it was already occupied.
Stepping inside, Drake saw that Lord Whickerton had led his family to the far corner near the pianoforte whereas a small group of women stood on the other end, locked in what seemed like a heated argument. With any luck, they would not even notice anything!
The dowager nodded to him as Drake stepped forward and moved to stand near Leonora, his gaze fixed upon Gillingham, who still bore such a smug smile upon his face that Drake itched to strike the man down.
However, he did not.
Lord Whickerton turned to his daughter. “Leonora, dear, Lord Gillingham has just informed us of your intention to become his wife.” He glanced at the man in question. “Is that so?” Doubt lingered in his eyes as his wife moved to reach for their daughter’s hands, her eyes sweeping over her face.
Leonora braced herself for