"Clara, don't!" I lunged forward, but I was too late.
With a cruel smile, Clara released Mittens out the window. The kitten's terrified mewl pierced the air as she plummeted toward the ground. My scream caught in my throat as I watched in horror.
"Oops," Clara said, brushing her hands together. "I guess Father won't let me speak to the Duke because of you. It's only fair you lose something too."
I shoved past her to the window, leaning out desperately. My eyes darted frantically across the grounds below until I spotted a small gray form among the roots of the old oak tree. Mittens wasn't moving.
"You monster," I whispered, my voice trembling with rage as I turned to Clara.
She shrugged, her blue eyes cold as ice. "It's just a mangy cat. Besides, now you know how it feels when someone takes away what you want."
"The Duke was never yours to lose," I said, my hands shaking. "And Mittens did nothing to deserve this."
Clara's pretty face twisted into an ugly sneer. "Neither did I, but here I am, stuck with a scarred freak for a sister who somehow caught the Duke's attention. Life isn't fair, Isabella. You should know that better than anyone."
Without another word, I rushed past her and down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to reach Mittens. Please let her be alive, I prayed silently as I ran through the hall and out the back door.
The summer air was warm against my face as I raced across the garden toward the oak tree. There, huddled against the gnarled roots, lay Mittens. Her small body was trembling, but she was alive. Thank God.
"Oh, Mittens," I murmured, gently scooping her into my hands. She let out a pained mewl that broke my heart. One of her legs was bent at an unnatural angle, and blood matted her soft gray fur.
"It's alright," I whispered, cradling her carefully against my chest. "I'll get you help."
I hurried back into the house, my mind racing. Father would know what to do. He may not care much for me, but surely even he wouldn't ignore an injured animal.
"Where is Baron Beaumont?" I asked a passing maid urgently.
The young woman looked startled by my disheveled appearance. "The Baron left hours ago, my lady. Business in town, he said."
My heart sank. Of course he was gone. When I needed him most, he was never there. Just like always.
"Is something wrong with that cat?" The cold voice of Lady Beatrix made me turn. She stood in the doorway of the drawing room, her eyes narrowed at the small bundle in my arms.
"Clara threw her out the window," I said, not bothering to hide the accusation in my voice. "She's hurt badly and needs help."
Lady Beatrix's face remained impassive. "Clara would do no such thing. Don't spread lies about your sister."
"It's not a lie!" My voice rose despite myself. "I saw her do it with my own eyes. Mittens is innocent and needs a physician or someone who knows about animals."
"That filthy creature has been a nuisance since you brought it home," Lady Beatrix said dismissively. "And I won't have you accusing Clara of your fabrications."
Something inside me snapped. After years of enduring her cruelty, of watching her coddle Clara while she tormented me, I couldn't stay silent anymore.
"Your daughter is cruel and spiteful because you've allowed her to be," I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart. "You've raised a monster, Lady Beatrix. And you're too blind to see it."
The sharp crack of her hand across my face came so quickly I barely saw it coming. My head snapped to the side from the force of the slap, but I held Mittens securely, protecting her from the impact.
Slowly, I turned back to face her, a strange calm settling over me. A laugh bubbled up from my throat, surprising even myself. It wasn't a happy sound—more incredulous than anything.
"Of course," I said, shaking my head. "Why did I expect anything different? No one in this house will help. Not you, not Father, and certainly not Clara."
Lady Beatrix's face flushed an ugly shade of red. "How dare you laugh at me, you ungrateful wretch! After all we've done for you—"
"Done for me?" I cut her off, no longer caring about the consequences. "What exactly have you done for me except lock me away and treat me like a burden? Like I'm a curse upon this house?"
"You ARE a curse!" she spat. "And I won't stand for your insolence any longer."
I stepped back, stroking Mittens gently as she mewled in pain. "I'll tend to her myself then. I've learned not to rely on any of you anyway."
As I turned to leave, Lady Beatrix called to one of the maids. "You there! Take that filthy animal and throw it out. I won't have it bleeding all over my house."
The maid hesitated, looking uncertainly between Lady Beatrix and me.
"Touch her and you'll regret it," I warned, surprising myself with the steel in my voice. The maid stepped back, clearly unwilling to get between us.
"Do as I say or you're dismissed without reference!" Lady Beatrix shouted at the poor girl.
I held Mittens closer, backing away. "I will keep her in my room until she's healed. You won't even know she's there."
"You will give that animal to the maid NOW!" Lady Beatrix's face was contorted with rage. When I didn't move, she took a deep breath, visibly trying to compose herself. "Very well. If you insist on this defiance, you leave me no choice. Martha, fetch Thomas. Have Isabella locked in her room. No meals until she learns her place."
I felt a flicker of fear—I'd been locked away without food before, sometimes for days—but the knowledge that Duke Alaric would arrive tomorrow gave me courage. I just needed to hold out until then.
"Do what you must," I said quietly. "But Mittens stays with me."
As the footman appeared to escort me upstairs, I caught a glimpse of Clara watching from the doorway, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. I turned away, focusing instead on the injured kitten in my arms. Tomorrow, I reminded myself. Tomorrow everything would change.
Once locked in my room, I tore strips from an old petticoat to bandage Mittens' leg as best I could. She was clearly in pain, but her purrs beneath my gentle touch gave me hope.
"Hold on till tomorrow little one," I whispered, stroking her soft fur. "He will come for us."
Outside my window, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across my small room. One more night in this prison, I thought. One more night of cruelty and neglect. Then Alaric would arrive, and this chapter of my life would finally end.