“Enter,” Reed called out, hearing defeat in his own voice.
The door swung open, and Beasley stepped one foot inside. “There is a lady here, my lord.”
Reed stilled. What lady in her right mind would associate with their family right now? “My mother isn’t taking visitors,” he reminded the man.
“It is not your mother she wishes to see.” The butler met Reed’s gaze. “Lady Marigold, daughter of the Duke of Crossings, is here to see you.”
Reed froze.
“Send her in,” he said.
Silence fell when Beasley disappeared until Reed paced across to the window and then turned to meet Caroline’s gaze.
“She’s changed her mind,” Caroline said.
But Reed shook his head, not wishing to get his hopes up.
But they hadn’t time to speculate because a moment later, the door opened, and Mr. Beasley escorted Goldie inside—quite a different-looking Goldie than he’d met with this morning.
Gone was her yellow gown and carefully pinned coiffure.
She locked a panicked gaze with his. “Reed—my lord,” she said. “I was afraid you wouldn’t be here.”
Half her curls had come undone, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes a little puffy—as though she’d either been sleeping or crying.
And she was carrying a valise in one hand.
“My lady,” Caroline said.
Goldie’s eyes widened as though she hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room.
“Oh, Miss Rutherford—my lady,” she faltered. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She began walking backward toward the door.
“No!” Caroline was on her feet, taking Goldie’s arm and leading her to the settee. “You aren’t interrupting anything. Please, sit down. I’ll go ask Cook to bring tea.”
Reed wasn’t used to such a swing of emotions. He felt hopeful that she’d changed her mind, but he was also concerned that something had happened to cause Goldie to appear so harried and… distraught.
Above all, he was relieved to simply see her again.
Paralyzed by the onslaught, he remained by the window until Caroline made her hasty departure.
Goldie shifted so she was facing him. “Have you found someone else?” Lines of worry creased between her lovely eyes and, even holding her valise with one hand, she used the other to pluck nervously at her glove.
“Someone else?” But there was no one else. She’d been the answer to all his problems.
And more.
If anything, Goldie appeared more distraught. “Have you found someone else to marry today? You’re an earl, after all. But in case you have not… If… I’d like… I’ve changed my mind. Reed. I’d like to marry you—that is—if you still want me.”
Reed could hardly believe his ears. With a shake of his head, he finally moved across the room and then gingerly lowered himself onto the seat beside her. “You…” He cleared his throat. “You wish to marry me after all? What about your father? What about your come-out?”
She raised her fist to her mouth, and her hazel eyes swam with unshed tears. “They no longer signify.”
Something had happened. Reed took her fist in his, lowering it so their hands rested between them. “Of course I still want you.” For more reasons than he’d set out with. “I’m…” And then he smiled. “I’m delighted. But only if you are sure.”
“I’m sure,” she answered emphatically.
Caroline returned at that moment, not bothering to knock. Seeing Goldie’s hand in his, however, she hesitated. “Is there to be a wedding after all, then?”
