The room fell silent. Josiah’s color faded so that he almost appeared pale now. Roman grew agitated. How much did Margot know? Clarissa hadn’t been happy—with Roman. Presumably, she’d been quite delighted with her paramour. But as soon as Roman had learned of her affair and insisted she end it, she’d sunk into depression until she’d become ill and, eventually, the laudanum had claimed her. Had she expressed her unhappiness to her sister? Roman wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
Harriet touched her husband’s arm. “Margot is right. We pushed Clarissa, and you see what happened. She was unhappy, and she became ill. Then she…well, she’s not here, is she? We can’t make the same mistake twice. We must support Margot. Mr. Pritchard has made an excellent case for himself, hasn’t he?”
“He has,” Josiah said gruffly. “But he’s not a member of Society.”
“I could be,” Pritchard said. “My grandfather is a baron, and I’ve already received an invitation to join a club.”
“Have you?” Josiah asked with surprise, his brows arching.
Roman knew it was the Phoenix Club, for he’d recommended Pritchard for membership. He thought it would be the perfect way for the young man to establish connections and meet people in London. Roman knew the owner of the club, Lord Lucien, and was pleased when he’d informed Roman that he planned to extend the invitation.
“Does this mean we can marry, Papa?” Margot asked hopefully. “I’m very sorry we lied. You and Mama were so hopeful Keele and I would marry, and the truth is neither of us wants that.” She glanced toward Roman, and he gave her a slight nod. “You must realize we are almost like siblings.”
Harriet sent both Roman and Margot an apologetic look. “We should have thought of that.”
There was a long moment of silence before Josiah voiced his decision. “Yes, I consent to your marriage.”
Margot squealed with delight, then hugged her father fiercely. “Thank you, Papa. You’ve made me so happy.” She turned and embraced her mother whilst Pritchard shook Josiah’s hand.
Josiah seemed a little perturbed, but there was also relief in his features. The four of them spoke for a few moments. Roman glanced toward Ellis, who arched her brows before turning toward her chair.
Josiah left his wife, daughter, and future son-in-law and joined Roman, his features grim. “I hope you’re not terribly disappointed. We’d all hoped that you and Margot would make a match.”
“Margot spoke the truth. We didn’t really want to marry. I didn’t say anything because I was hoping things might change. But we really do have a rather sibling-like relationship.” Roman gave Josiah a regretful smile. “I want her to be happy, and I’m glad she will be, especially with someone who is such a vital asset to Lacey and Company. I see this as a smart move for everyone.”
Josiah chuckled. “Of course, you would find the benefit to Lacey and Company in this, but I still feel beholden to you and your future.” He sobered. “You must marry, for you need an heir. I know you dislike the Marriage Mart, so marrying Margot was an excellent solution for everyone.” He exhaled. “Alas, we’ll need to find someone else—someone suitable, with connections and perhaps a decent-sized dowry. Let me help you if I can, please.”
Roman was distinctly uncomfortable having this conversation when Ellis could almost certainly overhear them. It felt wrong to be discussing his future marriage, which wouldn’t be happening anytime soon, in front of his current lover.
“I appreciate the offer,” Roman said. “I’m not in a hurry, but I appreciate your support.”
“We’ll get you settled, my boy,” Josiah said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I mean that. I think of you as my boy.”
Josiah returned to the happy couple, and Roman blew out a long breath in an effort to relieve the tension of the last several minutes. He moved his attention to Ellis seated in her chair. She was writing more notes in her book.
Perhaps she hadn’t overheard what they were saying. Either way, Roman wasn’t going to mention it.
He sat down and leaned toward her. “Well, that wasn’t how any of that was supposed to go. So much for our plans for their secret courtship.”
Ellis looked over at him and smiled. “Life often doesn’t adhere to our plans, does it?”
Roman felt certain she was referring to her own life, and he had to agree that his hadn’t traveled the path he’d planned. If it had, he would be happily wed to Clarissa and hopefully a father.
Instead, he found himself alone once more, abandoned by Clarissa, whom he’d cared for, at least initially. His focus settled on Ellis a moment, though she’d gone back to her notebook. He cared for her too, he realized.
And someday she would also leave him.
Chapter 14
Late that night, Ellis sat at her dressing table, brushing her hair. Her gaze was unfocused as she contemplated the many things swirling in her mind. Whilst they’d been at the library that afternoon, a note had been delivered from Jo—via Pandora since Jo did not know where Ellis was living. And Pandora had been kind enough to ensure that it was delivered by someone from Wellesbourne House who was not wearing livery.
Jo had set up a meeting tomorrow with her and Ellis’s father, Rowland Harker, at his home in Bloomsbury. Ellis ought to have been excited, or at least nervous, but she couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d overheard Mr. Lacey saying to Roman after he’d given his consent for Margot to wed Mr. Pritchard. You must marry, for you need an heir. We’ll need to find someone else—someone suitable, with connections and perhaps a decent-sized dowry.
Ellis had known from the beginning that her affair with Roman was temporary, that she was indulging her desire to…be desired. Besides, she didn’t even want to marry. But hearing Mr. Lacey describe Roman’s need for a wife and the inevitability of his marriage had struck her in a way she hadn’t expected.
Roman needed an heir, and to have one, he required a marchioness—and not one like her. Ellis did not have a fortune, and she was no one. She was worse than no one; she was illegitimate. There would be no benefit to him in their marriage, and that was what he needed. In fact, marriage to her could be a liability.
A soft knock on the door jolted her. She blinked and set her brush down, turning as Roman walked in. Like her, he wore his dressing gown. He smiled at her after closing the door. “There you are. I’ve been expecting you.”
