Mrs. Winthrop blocked the doorway, her face arranged in theatrical shock. “Lady Margaret.” Her voice carried sharply with an accusing tone. “What are you doing out here? Unchaperoned?”
Margaret’s stomach dropped. “We were just?—”
“I can see what you were doing.” Mrs. Winthrop’s gaze raked over them, taking in Margaret’s flushed cheeks. Drawing conclusions that weren’t there.
Lord William held up a hand. “Madam, I assure you?—”
“You assure me of nothing, milord. A young lady of quality does not meet men alone on balconies. Not if she values her reputation.”
The word hung in the air like a verdict.
Reputation.
Margaret’s heart hammered. “Mrs. Winthrop, please. Nothing improper?—”
“I have eyes, child. And I know what I saw.” The woman’s gaze turned calculating. “I must speak with your father immediately.”
No!
Protests screamed through Margaret’s mind even as Mrs. Winthrop swept away, even as other guests began to notice. To whisper. Even as her world tilted and cracked and began to crumble.
Lord William looked stricken. “Lady Margaret, I am so sorry. I should have realized—I should have been more careful.”
But it was too late for caution. Too late for anything except damage control.
Her father appeared within minutes with a thunderous face. “Margaret. Come with me. Now.”
She followed.
Her legs moved. One foot, then another, but she couldn’t feel them as she saw her father’s rigid back, heard his steps strike the floor.
The hallway stretched forever, and she had no escape.
He didn’t speak until they reached a private room. The door closed so loudly that she jerked back. Father’s anger filled the space until she could barely breathe.
“What were you thinking?” The words came out low. Dangerous. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“Father, nothing happened. We were just talking?—”
“I don’t care what happened. I care what people think happened. And right now, half the ballroom thinks you compromised yourself with Lord William.”
“But I didn’t?—”
“It doesn’t matter!” His voice cracked like thunder. “Your reputation is ruined. Do you understand? Ruined. No respectable man will have you now.” The disgust in his voice shattered her, and tears fell hot down her cheeks.
“Father, please?—”
“Lord William has agreed to marry you.” The words were flat. Final. “The wedding will be before he deploys. At least then people will think it was a love match instead of a scandal.”
Her world stopped.
Married. To a man she’d spoken to three times.
Because she’d stepped onto a balcony for air, and someone had seen… what exactly? Apparently, her reputation mattered more than her happiness. More than her choice. More than anything.
“Father, no. Please. I don’t want?—”
“What you want is irrelevant.” His voice went cold. “You brought shame on this family. On yourself. Lord William is being exceedingly generous to offer for you. You will accept gratefully. And you will never—never—speak of this again.”
