The double knock came again, and Sam couldn’t make himself turn and pretend to be surprised at her arrival. Mrs. Dove-Lyon waved to the settee and Sam tensed as she sat, no longer wearing her white apron and cap. She wore a plain blue dress, and she did seem rather different.
He nodded in greeting. She didn’t deserve his spite.
“I present Miss Felicity Brandon, of Winter’s Well. Her father holds the vicarage there.”
Sam closed his eyes for a moment. A vicar’s daughter. He opened his eyes again and smiled tightly.
“How do you do, Miss Brandon?”
“My lord, I understand if you are angry.”
“I’m not angry with you.” He sent his hard glare toward Mrs. Dove-Lyon, then twisted to regard Mr. Chase for his equal part in this farce, but the man appeared stunned.
“You didn’t know?” Sam asked.
He blinked away his stunned expression. “I didn’t need to know.”
“He simply served as protection whilst Miss Brandon traveled to and from the Den.”
“Why her?” Sam asked. “If you intended for me to marry her then I have the right to know.”
Miss Brandon dropped her chin, and her face was shadowed and unreadable.
“You’re dismissed, Mr. Chase.” Once he’d left and closed the door, Mrs. Dove-Lyon turned her attention to Miss Brandon. “Is it all right if I reveal your reasons?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked.
Miss Brandon nodded.
“Miss Brandon comes from a small village where her father holds the vicarage, as I said. She was engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing, a man who took advantage of his position to hurt Miss Brandon without remorse or repercussion when she tried to refuse him.”
Sam’s hands balled into fists. “I’m sorry,” Sam said gently. No wonder she cowered when near him. “Your father would not protect you?”
She shook her head, her cheeks reddening. “A woman is to submit. A woman is to be silent and chaste. When he—” She trembled and took a breath before meeting his gaze.
“I’m sorry,” Sam said again.
“No, it’s all right.” She smiled at him weakly. “I know you to be a good man, someone I can trust. It has been a relief to know you. To experience a different view of... well, I don’t know. Life, I suppose.”
“The abuses of her fiancé only ensured that she would be forced to marry him,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon continued. “But she happened to meet a young woman who works for me and Trina brought her here.”
Sam wiped a hand over his face. There was no getting out of this without a bit of skin flayed, but he still could not marry her. Yet he understood why she needed him. He truly wished he could help her in any way—but not marriage.
“Miss Brandon, I empathize with your situation, and if there is anything I can do to help you, you need only ask, but I cannot marry you.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon exhaled loudly, but Miss Brandon held his gaze.
“I understand, my lord. I do.”
“We have a contract,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said sternly, “A contract that bears your name. It is a legally binding document.”
“You cannot force me to marry, contract or not. You know this. Sue me, if you must. I’ll pay anything.” He glanced at Miss Brandon, “No offense meant, it is not about you at all but my own desire to marry a woman of my choice. For love.”
“I won’t marry him,” Miss Brandon whispered.
Everyone froze.
“I beg your pardon?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said and leaned forward in her seat.
Miss Brandon straightened. “Your plan worked. I did come to see Lord Alston as a good and kind man. But I won’t marry him. I won’t force someone to marry me. I could not bear to put someone in the same position I have been in. No one should be forced. I signed no contract. I refuse him and release him from any agreement he made regarding me.”
