The Ruby in the Storm

Chapter 10: The Game of Human Vices

Chapter 10: The Game of Human Vices 

Leila loosened the strings on her corset and took in a few deep breaths. Even though she was not in Jarrel's den at the moment, the smell of sandalwood seemed prominent nonetheless. Often she wondered if Samuel could smell it, or the wine on her breath when he tried to kiss her.

Leila noticed that she was pulling on her dress strings again and folded her hands quickly on her lap. She watched as her sister frantically paced the drawing room, chewing nervously on her fingernail.

"Stop that, Marigold," Leila chided. "Sit down."

Marigold shook her head. "I can't. You and Sam are marrying me off to a stranger!"

"Gerald Bryce is a perfectly amiable man," Leila assured her sister, though she herself was not entirely sure if that was true. "Sam told me as much, and I trust my husband."

"As much as you love him?" Marigold asked coldly.

Leila pursed her lips. "Love is a pointless desire in our world, Marigold. I trust Sam a great deal. He's a good man," Leila lowered her eyes and picked at the strings on her dress again. "He's a good man."

Leila knew that to be the truth. Beneath all the bravado and self-righteousness, Samuel Worthington was a good man who only wanted the best for his family and those he loved. However misplaced his intentions and dire his errors, Samuel never wished harm on anyone, and always thought what he was doing was right.

For Leila, however, that was not enough. That was what made her the antagonist in their union.

"I've never heard of this Gerald Bryce before in my life," Marigold was saying. "I've been on this island all my life, not one single mention of that name!"

"He's the son of a London merchant," Leila informed her quietly. "He's not incredibly wealthy, but he makes a decent enough living. You will be protected and provided for, that is all that matters."

"Yes, in a shack!" Marigold sat down, fuming. "And there you will be, relaxing in your opulence. When did opportunity ever turn its favor towards me instead of you, Leila? I'm older!"

Leila frowned at her sister. "Do you honestly think that I got the better end of the bargain?"

Marigold raised an eyebrow. "You're the wife of one of the richest men on the island. Tell me where exactly fate played you a cruel hand."

Leila wanted to, but that was not pertinent to the situation. That and there was no need to reach that deep into the recesses of her mind and troubles.

So, instead, Leila forced a smile. "This world is not going to be kind to us, Marigold. Our dear brother saw to that when he ran away with that trollop and left us here to rot. Since then I have come to realize that it doesn't matter if you're in a shack and I'm in my castle. It doesn't matter if you're married to a king and I to a pauper. Whichever way our story takes us, we will never be dealt a kind hand without stipulations, and dire ones at that. We must endure, adapt, and put on our prettiest faces if we want to survive. I have accepted that, and I suggest you do so as well."

Marigold looked pale and didn't say anything in response.

"Gerald Bryce is an amiable man who will be a decent husband to you," Leila whispered. "And trust me, sister, when I saw that I do not wish my life on you, I mean it. Never wish for my life. Revel in the fact that you avoided a catastrophe."

"What on Earth are you on about?" Marigold asked, still pale.

Leila widened her smile, and said nothing in reply.