“It’s over, Andrew,” she said.

“Emily —”

“I’m not marrying you.” Victoria began protesting loudly, her voice climbing, but no one was listening to her anymore.

Robert had already crossed to the side cabinet and retrieved his wife’s cane from where Victoria had kicked it.

He helped Grace to her feet, steadying her with a hand she did not need but was glad of, and he turned, before leaving, to look directly at Charles Caldwell.

“Tonight,” he said, “all of you showed me exactly who you are.” And then he walked his wife and daughter out of that room, unhurried, his head high, leaving on the table a diamond ring and a silence that no amount of Victoria’s protesting could fill.