“We met her at the park,” Amelia said.
“Then you already know how unhappy she’ll be if she marries him.”
Blakewood ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “It’s only recently she’s been discontented with him. I assumed it was because of his prolonged absence. For most of her life she has wanted to marry him. She may be meek, but she’s been adamant that I not interfere and I respect her wishes. But she still knows she can come to me for anything.”
“Did you propose to her? Amelia asked. “Does she know how you feel?”
“Yes,” Sam admitted.
Blakewood’s hard glare turned to a molten scowl. “Did you touch her?”
Sam wished he really didn’t have to answer that question. Blakewood should know better. Sam was certain he and Amelia had dallied before deciding they wanted to marry, and yet Sam had never asked. It was a moot point.
“Graham, don’t be a fool,” Amelia said. “Sam wouldn’t do anything that wasn’t wanted and happily received.”
Blakewood growled menacingly and tried to move around her. Amelia shoved at him.
“Let him, Lia. I can take it.”
Blakewood came at him, fists clenched at his sides. “She doesn’t know how to protect herself from men like you.”
“Like me? What sort of man am I? I inherited an earldom at twelve. I saw to the needs of my sister and protected her as completely as I could. Then I asked you to do the same when I couldn’t. But I would never accuse you of seducing her.Whatever happened, it happened because it was meant to. I know Daisy. I’ve spent hours talking to her. She is exactly as you say, and I have not and would never take advantage of that fact. I have not taken her to bed, Blakewood. But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t touched her. Look at me. It’s impossible for any woman to keep their hands off me.”
Amelia snorted, then covered her mouth. “You’re incorrigible,” she muttered.
Sam’s gaze never wavered from Blakewood. “Hit me if you must. It won’t change anything. The outcome will be the same.”
Blakewood took a breath. “You’ll marry her.”
“Yes.”
“As hastily as possible,” Amelia said. “We could go—”
“No.” Blakewood said. “She will have a proper wedding. She deserves it, as do my parents. There will be not a hint of scandal.”
Sam nodded. “Whatever she wants, she gets.”
“What about the contract?” Amelia asked in a panic. “Did you tell Daisy about it?”
“She knows.”
“And what do you intend to do?” Amelia asked.
“I haven’t figured that out yet. I wanted to speak to you first.”
Blakewood turned his back and returned to the table, glaring out the window but not at Sam. Sam exhaled with relief.
“This will be messy,” Amelia said.
“Life always is,” Sam muttered.
“No. It will be catastrophic.” Blakewood said. “We’ll make not one enemy, but two—both very powerful women—and the scandal we’re trying to starve to death by staying out of public will return with a vengeance because not only didIseduce an unchaperoned woman under her dying brother’s nose, but now you have seduced your own unchaperoned woman.”
“I’m prepared to weather the storm,” Sam said. “You don’t have to be involved.”
Amelia shook her head at him. “We’ll be with you. Always. Everything that happened to you after that accident is a result of our actions.”
“Fine.” Sam knew arguing was pointless. Besides, Amelia had her talents. “You can handle Lady Claystone. I’ll be the one to approach Mrs. Dove-Lyon. I don’t know what I’ll say yet, but...” He shrugged. “There must be something she wants more than me.”
