Chapter 3

"What is the meaning of this commotion?"

Senator King' s voice boomed from the entrance of the ballroom.

The crowd parted.

My father strode in, his eyes sweeping the scene.

He saw Daisy in the heirloom gown. He saw the mark on Beau' s face. He saw my righteous fury.

His face hardened.

"Daisy Mae," he said, his voice dangerously soft. "Explain yourself."

Daisy burst into tears. "Senator, I... I just wanted to feel like a princess for one night. Savannah has so many beautiful things..."

Father' s eyes narrowed. "That gown belongs to the King family. It is for the designated debutante of this family. You are not her."

His gaze shifted to Beau.

"Beau Carter. You raise your voice to my daughter? In my house? You defend this... this blatant disrespect?"

Beau stammered, "Sir, Savannah was being cruel..."

"Cruel?" Father cut him off, his voice rising. "My daughter is asserting her rights and defending her family' s honor against an act of profound disrespect and deceit! The cruelty here is Daisy' s audacity and your appalling lack of judgment."

He turned to Daisy, his voice like chips of ice.

"You will remove that gown immediately. You have shamed yourself and insulted my family. Your position in this household is now under severe review."

Daisy sobbed, humiliated.

Then Father looked at Randy, who had just arrived, looking flustered.

"Randolph. You are her brother. Why were you not here to defend your sister' s honor? Why do I find you looking like you condone this circus?"

Randy blanched. "Father, I just arrived. I didn't..."

"Your judgment, son, is severely lacking. You should be ashamed for not immediately seeing the insult to Savannah and our name."

Beau was visibly shaken. Randy looked chastened, avoiding my gaze.

Daisy was led away by a stern-faced maid, her dream entrance a public disgrace.

Father put his arm around me.

"The ball will continue," he announced. "My daughter, Savannah King, looks magnificent."

He smiled at me, a flicker of pride in his eyes.

I had won the first battle. But the war was far from over.