He buys it. Thankfully, my brother takes over some of the conversation at the table. He’s able to pull most of their attention, which makes sense, considering half the reason any of them want to marry me is because of him. It’s ironic that the reason Gilly probably doesn’t want to be with me is because of my brother.

I start to wonder what his type is. Women never came and went from the house. At least they didn’t when I was home. My father loved my mother, and she would have killed him if he stepped out on her. Not that he would have; loyalty was everything to them. It is to Gilly, too. It’s why I’ll never come first to him. Even if my brother did give him his blessing. Anger blooms in my chest at the reality of it all. That same sensation I had to run this morning courses through my body.

“Eat,” Gilly whispers into my ear.

“Fuck off,” I snip back under my breath as I reach under the table to try and remove his hand. He won’t let me. “Think I won’t make a scene?” I catch Bianca watching us out of the corner of my eye. “Try me.” I turn my head to stare into Gilly’s eyes.

“Eat,” he says again before removing his hand finally. I do eat, but not because he ordered me to. The quicker I can finish this meal, the better. I don’t taste a thing. Not even when the dessert comes and it’s my favorite, crème brȗlée.

“Carina.” My brother calls my name as we all get up from the table to move to the parlor. “A word.” Oh shit. I keep a smile pasted on my face while everyone else leaves. Gilly is the last to go.

“You okay?” he asks me, concern etched on his face. Some of my anger starts to dissolve.

“Yeah. It was a bit overwhelming.”

“You clearly have your pick.”

“But do I really?” The words slip past my lips. I hadn’t meant to say them.

“Carina, I would never force—”

“I know.” I cut him off. “Like I said, I'm overwhelmed is all.”

“Is there anything else going on that you want to tell me?” I’m not sure if he means Gilly or my late-night sneak-out activities. Either way, I keep my mouth shut. There is no way I am confessing to either one of those.

“Not at the moment.”

“All right.” He kisses my cheek. “You can always talk to me.” I nod before we both head out of the formal dining room.

“Carina.” I turned to face Falco, who called my name. He comes out of the same powder room Gilly dragged me into earlier. “Can we have a moment alone? If that is okay with you.” He looks to my brother to get his approval.

“That’s up to Carina.”