“You have news?” she prompted.
Had he? It had flown from his mind. It was all he could do not to lean close, pull her into his arms, and kiss her. He saw a tremor pass over her body and became aware of his own gooseflesh.
“It is chilly up here,” he said. Forcing his gaze from her, he looked instead around the small, plain chamber. “How strange to find Miss Macy living in such humble surroundings.”
“I don’t mind.”
“I almost believe you.” His eyes returned to her face, savoring her features. “How you have changed.”
She shivered again.
“You’re cold.” He slid his hands over her shoulders, slowly sliding his palms down her arms, over the sleeves of her wrapper. He took one of her hands, then the other, rubbing each between his larger, warmer hands. “That should warm you.”
She inhaled. “Indeed.”
His hands stilled but continued to hold hers. She made no move to step back or pull her hands away. He hoped it meant she felt as he did. Or did she feel she was in his debt, afraid of losing her hiding place should she refuse? That thought dampened his ardor, and he suddenly remembered why he’d sought her out at this hour in the first place.
He cleared his throat and released her. “I’ve just read a startling piece of news.”
“Oh?” She became instantly alert, eyes widening and body stiffening in anticipation. He still dreaded telling her, though he knew he must. He was afraid of what she might do.
———
Margaret steeled herself for the news.
He pulled something from his pocket and began, “It’s an engagement announcement.”
Margaret inwardly quailed.Oh no.Had Sterling puffed off the news of an engagement between her and Marcus, hoping to force her hand?
Nathaniel continued, “The engagement of Marcus Benton and Miss Caroline Macy.”
Shock rippled through Margaret. Her heart banged painfully against her ribs. “CarolineMacy? Are you certain?”
“Yes.” He handed her the paper and waited while she read it by the light of the bedside candle. He said, “I don’t suppose this is good news.”
“How could it be?”
“Well, a man you did not wish to marry is now engaged to someone else.”
“That someone else is my sister! Who is barely seventeen. Far too young and far too innocent for a lecher like Marcus Benton.”
He expelled a breath. “That is what I feared.”
Margaret’s head began to pound, and her stomach roiled. Did Marcus really intend to marry Caroline, or was Sterling hoping to flush Margaret out with the news? Margaret remembered how happy Caroline had looked in Marcus’s arms at the ball. Yes, a girl not yet out of the schoolroom could have her head turned by Marcus Benton quite easily. And by the time Caroline realized the character of the man she had married, it would be too late.
Margaret turned and paced the small room.
Nathaniel said, “Allow me to help.”
She kept pacing. “What can you do?”
“I can marry you.”
She whirled, incredulous. “Marry me?”
He flinched as though she’d slapped him. “I know it was Lewis you wanted. If that is still the case, I will do everything in my power to convince him. In fact, he may be more amenable, now he knows of your inheritance.”
She frowned. “I don’t want to marry Lewis. How would marrying anybody help my sister?”
