He retrieved his gloves from the side table. He inclined his head once and moved past her into the corridor. The house felt different this morning. The front doors opened as he descended the steps. Cool air met him sharply just as it had done the night before as they stepped onto the terrace. The carriage waited for him, and he entered without hesitation.
“Fairleigh House,” he instructed.
The door shut firmly, sealing him inside with the weight of what must now be done. The carriage rolled forward, and Nathaniel arrived at Fairleigh House just past nine.
The street was already active. A tradesman’s cart stood opposite, and two ladies walked slowly along the pavement, their conversation halting when they saw his carriage. He stepped down without acknowledging them. The door to the house opened almost immediately.
He was expected.
Inside, the air felt tight as he was shown to the drawing room. Lady Fairleigh entered first.
“Your Grace.”
“Lady Fairleigh.”
“You understand the urgency, I assume.”
“I do.”
She studied him for a moment. Whatever she saw appeared sufficient, because she nodded once.
“Margaret will join you momentarily.”
She left before he could reply. He did not sit. Margaret entered a moment later. She looked pale, though her posture remained straight. There were no visible signs of distress, and that steadiness unsettled him more than tears would have. They faced one another in the center of the room.
“It has begun,” she said.
“I expected it would.”
“Notes have already arrived, not to mention the scandal sheets.”
“I am sorry.”
Her gaze sharpened, and she laughed emptily.
“Sorry,” she echoed.
“I came as soon as I rose.”
“And what did you decide as you rose?”
“That I would not allow your name to suffer.”
Her composure cracked then, not into hysteria but into anger sharpened by humiliation. He could not blame her for that, but he did not like that she seemed to be accusing him as if he were to blame entirely for what had happened.
“You wanted this from the beginning,” she said. “That is right, is it not?”
“No.”
“But it is. You shaped every appearance. You placed yourself beside me in every gathering. You encouraged scrutiny, and now…”
“That is how a public courtship proceeds.”
“Only when both parties hold equal understanding.”
He felt irritation stir in spite of himself. He knew that he was keeping something from her, something that held great importance, but that was only ever to be temporary.
“I always intended to marry you regardless of scandal, Margaret. It was agreed upon.”
