Lily tried another tact. She withdrew the chain and signet ring and held them out. “Matthew asked me to marry him. And I—I’ve said yes.”
She hoped to see a reaction from her mother, but there was still nothing. Even when the tea and refreshments arrived, Iris did not eat or drink.
But then her brother arrived. Lily breathed a sigh of relief and ran to hug James when he entered the room. “I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t know what to do.”
“There’s no change?” he ventured, and she shook her head.
“Nothing I say seems to break through to her. Not even this.” She held up the ring and added, “I told her that I’ve agreed to marry Matthew.”
James eyed her with a sidelong look. “He never askedmefor permission.”
“I am old enough to make my own decision.” She sipped her tea by way of a distraction, and her brother studied her.
“Matthew has improved, I will agree. But I still do not think it a wise match, Lily. He could hurt you without even meaning to.”
She fingered the heavy ring, ignoring his warning. “I have loved him for years, James. And it is my choice to wed him.”
“He loves her,” their mother interrupted. They both turned to Iris, startled that she had spoken. Her mother’s expression grew dreamy, and she added, “I would like to see them wedded.”
Lily exchanged a glance with James, and then smiled at her mother. “Then you shall have your wish.”
Matthew sat at his mother’s bedside, watching over Charlotte. Her face was pale, her eyes lined with shadows as if she hadn’t slept well.
“Matthew,” she murmured in sleep.
“I am here.” He reached for her hand, bothered by how cold her skin was. It was hard to believe she had grown so ill this quickly.
She rolled to her side, and eventually her blue eyes opened. A smile warmed her face at the sight of him. “You’re here. I was so hoping you would come.”
“I came as soon as I heard you were ill.”
Charlotte sighed and squeezed his hand. “Dr. Fraser said I will get better. It was something to do with my heart. It was workingtoo hard, he said.” She studied him for a time and admitted, “Sarah Carlisle came to see me.”
A tightness seized his gut, and he tried to hide his anger. “Did she? I told her already that I would not pay her anything further.”
“You may want to reconsider.” She released his hand and rolled back on her pillow. “She could cause a great deal of embarrassment to us.”
“I need to know the truth.” he demanded. “Did Father have an affair with her?”
Charlotte’s expression dimmed. “No. He was always true to me.” She closed her eyes again, as if wanting to avoid the subject.
“Do you know who my parents were?” he asked. Right now, he was searching for any answers she would give.
She nodded. “Let the past lie buried, Matthew. There is no need to dredge it up.” For whatever reason, she did not want him to know the truth. It was another invisible blow, knowing that he was not fathered by the earl. It meant that he had no claim at all to the title, and it bothered him deeply.
“Why do I look like Sarah Carlisle?” he asked again. His mother didn’t answer, but rolled over and closed her eyes. He prompted, “I know you aren’t sleeping.”
Then it occurred to him that his true parents might still be living. Was she trying to protect them?
“Why did my father pay Sarah for her silence?” he asked. “I doubt if anyone would listen to her, even if she did spread rumors.”
“He didn’t want to take the chance of anyone casting a scandal upon our family name. It’s a nuisance, easily avoided by a small payment. She has no one to support her, and it was a charity worth offering.”
It frustrated him to no end that Charlotte refused to give him any answers. But pressing her would not help her health toimprove. For that reason, he let the matter go. He might have better success confronting Sarah Carlisle.
“How is Iris feeling?” Charlotte asked. “Did you see her at all?”
“Lady Penford had more bad days than good ones,” he answered honestly. “I do not think she will be able to return to London any time soon.”
