“Do you have a plan?” Blakewood asked.
“No,” Sam admitted. “But I’ll think of something. I’m not going to turn my back on love because of a damned contract. I’ve touched death. I’ve lain awake at night and contemplated the reason I was spared. I took a lot of things for granted; my youth, my strength, the promise of a future. We aren’t owed those things. We have to claim them. I won’t lose Daisy. So I will stop at nothing to break this bloody contract and marry the woman I love, just as you refused to give up on me, Amelia.”
Amelia’s eyes welled up. “You deserve to have everything you want, brother. A marriage built of love, a family of your own, a lifetime of happiness. I want that for you.”
Blakewood took her into his arms. But it was Sam who needed to hold her. They’d shared a life for so long, but now they were truly going their separate ways.
“Lia,” he said as he approached.
She turned from Blakewood’s hold and threw her arms around him.
“Everything is going to change,” she cried. “It’s good but it’s also frightening.”
Sam patted her back. “Thank you. I don’t know if I’ve said it enough, but thank you for saving my life. Thank you for beingmy voice, my champion, and my anchor to this world. I would not be here without you.”
Amelia pulled back. “You’re welcome, brother. Try not to muck it up.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Daisy had pacedher room until her feet hurt. She was elated and yet frightened about a future that seemed too precious to grasp. Her stomach revolted at the idea that she was going to break her engagement with Cliffton. She was going to have to face Lady Claystone and ask—no, demand—for it to be ended, and just the thought might make her vomit.
She almost couldn’t believe the afternoon she’d had. Was it real? Had it been a fever dream? Her heart had not yet slowed, and her limbs weighed her down as though her body were begging for rest, but Daisy could not stop pacing. Her mind was spinning.
She covered her face, wanting to scream, but held it in.
What had she done?
She loved Sam. She wanted to be with him. But at the same time, she felt like she was running toward a cliff. Where was the drop? How much time did she have left to enjoy these moments with him before reality ripped him away?
Her door opened, and Merry blinked in surprise. “Miss Blakewood, I didn’t think you’d be in here. Normally about this time you’re with Lord Alston.” Merry paused and studied her.
Daisy hoped her recent activities weren’t scripted on her face.
“Are you well? You are flushed and dewy. Would you like a bath?”
“Yes. Some hot chocolate as well, please.”
“As soon as I put these away.” She went to the armoire and opened the drawer to put the folded stockings away. “Would you like to undress now?”
Daisy nodded. Her gown wanted to drag her to the floor.
Merry undid the back and helped Daisy wiggle free. She hung the gown, and Daisy took a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around herself, releasing a heavy-hearted sigh.
Merry frowned. “I beg your pardon, but are you feeling well? Would you like a tonic? Mrs. Keen has a miracle recipe. Or is it your monthly?”
Daisy shook her head. “Not for another week or so.”
“Very well, I’ll return shortly with the tub.”
Alone again, Daisy sat at her dressing table and stared at the door. To break her betrothal would bring her family shame. A sharp emotion worked its way up her throat, and Daisy sobbed. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t marry the man she loved, not at the expense of her family. She loved them, too. Her parents had done everything for her, thinking they’d given her an opportunity for a good life of comfort and respectability, and here she wanted to toss their efforts aside.
Lady Claystone would not take kindly to the insult, and would certainly make life as difficult as she could for all of them. Cliffton... well, Daisy didn’t know if Cliffton would even care.
But she loved Sam. She wanted to be his wife. She wanted a husband who would love her, adore her, and let her be the person she desired to be.
Daisy covered her mouth. No, she either had to let Sam go or commit to forsaking her marriage vows and see him in secret. But she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t live such a deceitful life.She couldn’t love Sam and let another man also touch her. The very idea was revolting.
There was a knock on the door, and Daisy turned away, hiding her face as she hastily wiped at her tears.
