“No. I can’t breathe.” She tried to do as Christian had taught her and lean over, but her stays wouldn’t allow it. “I can’t believe he did that,” she gasped. “I’m ruined.”
“It’s not so bad as all that,” Meg said loyally, leaning forward to pat her knee.
Sarah gave her friend a look that clearly indicated she believed she’d lost her mind. “Are you mad? Mother and Father will never forgive me.”
“Who cares if they forgive you?” Hart asked.
Sarah blinked at him, surprised at her brother’s words. “What happened after I left?” she asked.
“I didn’t see much, but I believe Mother fainted,” Hart said.
“And you didn’t stay with her?” Sarah asked, aghast.
“Mother has made her own bed and must lie in it. I was more concerned for you.”
“That’s sweet of you, Hart. You may want to give me one last hug. After this scandal, I’m sure I won’t be allowed out in polite Society ever again.”
“I’m glad he did it,” Meg announced.
Sarah’s mouth fell open. “What are you saying?”
“I’m glad Lord Berkeley stopped the wedding. I’m only being honest. I saw the look on your face. You looked as if you’d been sent to the guillotine. I was about to say something myself, only I couldn’t think of anything properly scandalous to say.”
“I have to agree,” Hart chimed in.
Even in her state of abject misery, Sarah noticed that Hart and Meg were studiously avoiding looking at each other. Normally, they ignored each other—well, at least Hart seemed to barely notice Meg—but today he was activelynotlooking at her. Curious.
“You agree,” Sarah said. “Have you no loyalty?”
“I have nothing but loyalty,” Hart retorted. “And yes, I agree. It’s no secret that you’ve been avoiding Branford for months. I happen to have it on good authority that you have feelings for Berkeley. Furthermore, I have it on even better authority that he has feelings for you.”
“What?” Sarah felt dizzy, as if the world were tilting on its axis. She braced her hand against the side of the coach to steady herself.
“I saw him at the club yesterday, and let’s just say he wasn’t happy about this wedding.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Sarah cried.
“He stopped it, didn’t he?” Meg pointed out. “That must mean he has feelings for you.”
“It means he’s lost his mind,” Sarah replied. “And ruined my life.”
“I think he saved your life,” Meg replied.
“I agree,” Hart said.
Meg blushed, but they still didn’t look at each other. Sarah narrowed her eyes on the two of them. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Absolutely nothing!” they burst out in unison.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
True to his word, before ten minutes had passed, Claringdon came looking for Christian’s dead body. When the duke was told what had transpired, he immediately offered to procure a special license from the archbishop of Canterbury.
“It won’t be the first one I’ve got and I doubt it will be the last,” Claringdon said with a wry smile.
He left immediately to arrange the matter while Christian and Sarah’s father left for Highfield’s town house to see to the new marriage contract.
***
