Though she wanted to fight back, to lash out at her mother, Hannah found herself sinking into a chair.Out of habit, she fell silent, as if a shroud had fallen over her.Choking off any hint of defiance, she listened to Belgrave speak.
“I offer my apologies for what happened the other evening,” the baron began.“But, Lady Hannah, I believe it would be in your best interest to consider my offer.”He went on to describe his different estates, both in London and Yorkshire.And of course, how much of an honor it would be to join their families together.
Hannah didn’t listen to a word of it.Did Belgrave honestly believe she would consider him, after the abduction?And were her parents so swept up in his money and family name that they would ignore what he’d done?
“We are pleased that you would still consider our daughter,” Lady Rothburne said.“I am sure Hannah understands the necessity of protecting her reputation.”Brightening her smile, the marchioness offered, “I have ordered a picnic basket from Cook, and you both may wish to discuss wedding plans outside in the garden.It is a lovely day, and it would allow you to become better acquainted.”
“I would welcome the opportunity,” Belgrave answered.
“But, Mother, I—”
“Would next Tuesday morning suit, for the wedding?”the marchioness interrupted.
“I am certain I can procure a special license in time,” Belgrave reassured her mother.“The archbishop will understand the need for haste.”
Say it.Tell them you’ll never marry a man like him.
Hannah gripped the edge of her chair and finally broke in.“No.”
Her word came out too softly, and neither her mother, nor Lord Belgrave, seemed to notice.
“A quiet wedding would be best,” Belgrave suggested.“Don’t you think?”
“No,” Hannah tried again, this time louder and filled with all of her frustration.“I don’t think so.”
Lord Belgrave rose from his seat and came to stand beside her chair.His large fingers reached out to rest upon her shoulder.The weight of his palm was a firm reminder, not an act of comfort.
And suddenly, her mother’s discussions of how a husband would have full dominion over her body made Hannah jerk away.She couldn’t lie on her back and let a man like Belgrave do what he wished.Good wives were supposed to submit to their husbands, but, God help her, she could never let him touch her.
She didn’t know where the words came from, only that she couldn’t bear it any longer.“There will not be a wedding.”Her voice shook with nerves, sounding more uncertain than she’d intended.“I won’t agree to it.And if you will excuse me, I intend to retire to my room.”
Her mother scurried forward to try and stop her, but Belgrave lifted his hand.“Forgive me, Lady Rothburne, but perhaps if I had a moment in private with Lady Hannah, I could reassure her that I have only the best of intentions.”
The marchioness hesitated, and Hannah prayed that her mother wouldn’t dare allow such a thing.
“Wait in Lord Rothburne’s study,” her mother advised the baron.“I will speak with my daughter first.”She gestured for Hannah to sit down, and Lord Belgrave followed a servant into her father’s study.
The grim expression on her mother’s face was not at all encouraging.Christine sat across from her, and her face held nothing but disappointment.
“Hannah, you must know how much your father and I want what’s best for you,” Christine began.With a tremulous smile, her mother wiped at her eyes with a handkerchief.“We want you to have a wonderful marriage with every comfort you could possibly want.”
“Not with him,” Hannah insisted.“Mother, I won’t do it.”
“Is he really as awful as all that?”her mother asked softly.“He’s handsome and wealthy.You got off to a terrible start, I’ll grant you that much.But couldn’t you possibly give him a chance?This isn’t only about your future.The scandal will darken your father’s good name.”
“There must be another way.”
The marchioness rose and drew close, putting her arms around her.“Talk to him, Hannah.That’s all I ask.If, after this, you still don’t wish to wed him—” Her mother broke off, tears glistening in her eyes.
I don’t,Hannah wanted to say.But she kept silent, knowing that to pacify her mother was the easiest way to get rid of Belgrave.“Very well.I’ll talk to him.”
Christine embraced her again, wiping her eyes.“Thank you, my dear.It won’t be so bad.You’ll see.”Her mother took her by the hand and escorted her into the study.“I’ll be right here in the hall,” she offered.With an encouraging squeeze of the hand, she stepped back into the hallway, leaving the door wide open.
It was dark inside her father’s study, with the curtains pulled shut.Hannah waited for Lord Belgrave to speak.Instead, he approached the door and closed it.Seconds later, he turned the key in the lock.
She stood immobile, stunned at his actions.What was he doing?Did he plan to assault her in her own home?Hannah’s paralyzing fear suddenly transformed into rage.
“Be thankful that I will forgive this defiance,” Belgrave murmured.“You seem to be under the delusion that you have a choice in whom you wed.No other man will marry a woman who was defiled by a soldier.”
