Page 93 of A Very Bellamy Christmas

That was exactly what Stacia meant, but she hardly wanted to admit it.

Still, she was desperate for the truth.

Tell him what you know.

Shelton gave a mocking laugh. “Don’t hold back for fear of hurting my feelings, Miss Martin. You haven’t done in the past,” he added with a wry smile.

There was the invitation Stacia had been hoping for.

“Lady Kathryn met Miss Creighton—now Mrs. Leary—and she told me that things are not what they seem.”

“Kathryn met Sarah?” he repeated after a moment.

“Yes.”

“When was this?”

“This past spring. Her aunt lives near Mrs. Leary.”

He gave a huff of laughter. “So that is what she has been on about.”

“I beg your pardon?” Stacia asked.

“I cannot believe Kathryn has not said anything about this until now. Who would have guessed she had such self-restraint? Obviously, I have been underestimating her.”

Stacia did not know what to say.

“So, what did she tell you, Miss Martin?”

“That Mrs. Leary seemed very happy and not like a woman who’d been forced to marry a provincial nobody against her will.” She cleared her throat and then forced herself to say, “She said that Mrs. Leary’s child looks a great deal like her husband.”

He inhaled deeply, the action expanding his already impressive chest. He held his breath for a long moment and then exhaled, staring at something she could not see. The past, perhaps.

When he did not speak, Stacia said, “Kathryn hinted strongly that she knows the truth of what happened between you and Sarah.”

“That is not my secret to tell. However, I fear you will never get past this until I speak of it.” He smiled coolly, the expression for once not reaching his eyes. “I do not wish to commence our lives together with such a... misunderstanding between us.”

“I have not said I will marry you,” Stacia quickly reminded him.

“Duly noted,” he said. “I am sure I can depend on your discretion.”

“I would keep anything you told me in the strictest confidence.” She gave him a reproachful look. “Men are not the only ones who can behave honorably.”

He smiled faintly. “No, of course not. Then I will tell you the truth about what really happened with Sarah, and why I never offered her the protection of my name.” He paused and then added with a stern, uncompromising look, “And then you will understand why you will not have the same lucky escape from marriage that she did.”