Then Francesca's smile faded slowly. She cleared her throat softly. "What… if Mama expects me to marry quickly?"
Penelope froze at once. The question lingered heavily between them. The entire purpose of this was for her to marry quickly. And get rid of their family's crisis, that thought came unbidden to her mind, earning a small catch of her breath.
Francesca was the scapegoat for their family's piling misery.
Francesca looked suddenly younger again when she added, "Does she?"
Penelope could not lie. But the truth heaved her stomach greatly as did the rest of the horrifying thoughts. "Yes."
Fear flickered visibly across her sister's face.
Immediately, "But she would never force you," Penelope said carefully though even she no longer knew whether that was entirely true. "She only hopes for security,"
At one moment, Penelope was surprised at how easily that came.
"As she hoped for yours," Francesca said.
