"Both true. Which is why I'm curious about your reasoning." Davies's eyes narrowed. "You've refused a proposal that solves all your problems. You must have something better waiting in the wings."
"I don't have anything waiting. I simply cannot enter into matrimony with you.”
"Cannot or will not?"
"Both."
Davies was silent for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
"Lord Vane," he said. "That's what this is about, isn't it?"
Harriet felt heat climb her cheeks. "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, I think you do. I saw the way he looked at you at dinner. The way he looked at me, for that matter. The man could barely contain himself." Davies shook his head, something like admiration in his expression. "I should have known. The famous Lady Harriet Fordshire, scourge of London suitors, brought low by her brother's best friend."
"You're mistaken…"
"I'm rarely mistaken about such things. It's a gift." Davies rose, moving to stand by the window. "Very well, Lady Harriet. I accept your refusal. But the debt remains."
"I understand."
"Do you? Because I was prepared to be generous. Now I'm feeling considerably less charitable." He turned to face her.
"You have until month's end to find the money. After that, I will pursue every legal remedy available to me."
"That was always the arrangement."
"Yes. But before, I was hoping to avoid the unpleasantness. Now…" His smile was cold.
"…I find I rather welcome it."
He swept past her and out of the room, leaving Harriet alone with the ruins of her plan and the dawning realisation that she had just made everything considerably worse.
***
She found Sebastian in the stables, preparing the horses for departure.
He looked up at her approach, his expression wary. "You're up early."
"I've been to see Lord Davies."
Sebastian's hands stilled on the horse's bridle. "And?"
"I refused him."
Something flickered across Sebastian's face, relief, maybe, or something more complicated. "I see."
"He was not pleased. He's threatened to pursue legal action immediately if we don't pay by month's end."
"That was always a possibility."
"I am fully aware." Harriet moved closer. "Sebastian, I need to tell you something."
"You don't need to tell me anything."
"Yes, I do. Because last night, you said…" She stopped, gathering her courage. "You said that you couldn't stand by and watch me wed Davies. You said it mattered more than you could explain."
Sebastian's jaw tightened. “I exceeded the boundaries of propriety and I offer my apologies.”
