“Not to worry,” said Caroline. “Duncan
can arrange for you to have some lessons down
at our stables this afternoon.” She stood up.
“And now I must be off. I may or may not be
back in time for dinner,” she said on her way
out the door.
I was stunned. We hadn’t finished our
conversation. She had completely ignored
my concerns about this ball, shutting out any
room for argument about that or the Valmont
family responsibilities, as she called them. And
now I would have to take riding lessons.
I grumbled but went upstairs to change
into jeans and a T-shirt anyway.
As I pulled the shirt over my head, I
spotted my phone sitting on the bedside table.
I grabbed it, figuring I should send a message
to my parents. I didn’t know what to say, but I
wanted to tell them at least something about
what Aunt Caroline was trying to do.
Then I hesitated. I knew that my parents
would be furious if they thought Caroline
was taking advantage of me. And although I
was no longer convinced that she really cared
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