“I have yet to receive an answer. She suggests I—” He shook his head. His eyes were as broken and weary as his voice. “She suggests I moved first. But I did not. You must believe me.”
Judging from the reactions of the others, I had no reason not to believe him. But why did he work so hard to convince me of his truth? What was he not saying?
“Do you love my sister, Sir Ronald?”
“Miss Moore,” he breathed as though mere air was not enough to satiate him. “I love Clara with everything I am.”
I willed myself to remain calm, to not break down and weep for what should have been my sister’s fate. My Clara, who would not take a pence more than she was owed, had been robbed of her heart’s greatest desire.
“Then what is to stop you from her now?” I asked.
Sir Ronald dropped his head. “I can hardly hope she would accept me as a ruined man. To abandon Georgiana is dishonorable, and I could not ask Clara to stand beside me and endure the gossip and ridicule that is sure to follow me.”
Was that all? “She has endured far worse, I assure you.”
Sir Ronald looked up at me, a new hope in his eyes.
“But can you abandon Georgiana?” I asked. “I know you care for her, too.”
He shook his head. “I have never loved Georgiana as I love Clara.”
I raised my chin. “She comes with nothing. We have neither inheritance nor dowry.”
“I know. And I don’t care. I will turn things around soon, and money will never worry my family again.” His eyes were sincere, willing me to believe his words. And I did.
“Then what will you do? For either way you are ruined, but only one path will unbreak my sister’s heart.”
Sir Ronald took my hands in his. “Do I have your blessing? Might I offer for her?”
“Only if you do so this night.” I squeezed his hands, my lips finally finding a smile that he claimed for his own.
He turned from me to Peter. I followed him a few paces before stopping, waiting.
“Wood,” he said commandingly. “I am unable to sit idly by while you attempt to persuade Georgiana. I must offer my regrets in the form of a thousand pounds and declare that I am unwilling to accept the arrangement I am sure you expect of me. I hope we can remain friends. If you’ll excuse me.”
“Ronald,” Georgiana gasped as Sir Ronald offered a deep bow.
“Keep your money. I wish you well, Demsworth,” Peter said solemnly.
Sir Ronald turned from the room in a run, out the doors and out of sight.
Peter held Georgiana in his arms as she sobbed freely, and I turned to go.
I paused outside the door, listening to the sounds of Peter comforting his sister. In a way, we’d all lost. Only the innocent were redeemed.
Slowly, I climbed the stairs. I’d hoped to give Sir Ronald and Clara time, but with every step, greater unrest tensed my nerves. I needed to escape this place, if only for a moment. When I reached the top of the stairs, Mary paced outside the study a few doors down from our room.
“Miss Moore, I could not stop him.”
“It is all right, Mary. His intentions are just.” I heard Clara’s soft laugh from behind the door, and I could not keep from smiling.
“It is after four in the morning. I fear none of us shall sleep before we must leave. I’ll have to rush to pack your things if we are to depart at first light,” Mary said, wringing her hands together.
“I think I am the only one who will need packing up. And I will not be rushed.”
Mary looked to the door, realization dawning. “Then I am glad to hear it.”
The sun would rise soon enough. After all my jesting, it appeared I would be awake for dawn after all. “I’m going out for a walk. I shall return in an hour or so. Do not worry after me. I am sure Clara will need you soon to help her dress more appropriately for the day.”
