Page 56 of Mr. Eastwood’s Match

And yet… The one person she had hoped might care for her, truly comfort her, had not met her eyes once. A fresh sting warmed the back of her throat. She had hoped their friendship meant something more to him. Even now, even helpless, she could not banish one quiet, pitiful thought: that in her most vulnerable moment, Lyness Eastwood had not spared her even a single look.

After Lyness and Jack entered the study, Roman shut the door with more force than necessary, the latch clicking sharply into place. He strode to the sideboard without a word and poured three measures of brandy, his movements spare and precise as the crystal decanter clinked softly against each glass. Jack stood a few feet from the door, jaw tight, hands balled at his sides. Lyness crossed the room to the hearth, caught between wanting to fade into the corner and needing to hear every word.

The dogs both picked up their heads, watching Roman move across the room but unmoving unless he commanded them. They had been commanded to the study when Lyness carried Lady Emily into the house.

The room felt too close. Too warm. Too still for the agitation growing inside Lyness’s mind. He tried to take in a slow breath, the scent of beeswax polish and books doing nothing to settle him.

Before speaking, Roman took a glass to Jack. “Sterling.”

Jack accepted it, though his expression suggested he would have preferred a weapon and a battle plan. He swallowed the first mouthful like a man fueling fire rather than quenching it.

Never had Lyness felt as helpless as he did while everyone stood in the room listening to the doctor. Everything in him had wanted to go to Emily, to sit beside her, to take her hand while the room held its breath and the doctor asked his questions.

Every second standing there, he forced himself to practice restraint. He had not even been able to look at her, to offer that much comfort, for fear she would read the pain in his eyes. Pain because he lacked the right to sit by her side.

When handed his own glass, Lyness held it in both hands. Not drinking. Turning it around and around as Roman walked to his desk with the final glass. Lyness would much rather keep his mind sharp. He settled the glass on the mantel instead.

Roman exhaled slowly. “She is out of danger. The doctor said as much.”

Jack’s answering laugh was low and humorless. “You think her physical danger is what concerns me most at this moment?”

The words landed like blows on Lyness’s heart, and he winced beneath them. Roman’s jaw flexed. Athena’s great head turned from studying Roman to looking up at Lyness, while Apollo whined softly and lowered his own to his paws. The dogs wanted to be of use, of course. But they were as helpless as Lyness in that moment.

Jack stepped farther into the room, his tread heavy on the carpet. “My sister was practically carried from a public ballroom. In your arms.” His voice remained low, but the strain beneath his words was unmistakable. “And she did not return. Neither did you. And neither did my wife nor myself once we were summoned away.”

Setting his glass down with a soft clink, Roman turned to fully face the distraught gentleman. “What choice did I have? I could not leave her senseless on a bench for all the world to gawk at.”

“I am not criticizing that,” Jack snapped. “I am criticizing what comes after. What the world will say.” He looked between the two brothers, eyes sharp and pained. “My sister has been the subject of gossip before. You do not know what that cost her or how it shook my family. Her position in Society is already delicate.”

Roman’s shoulders stiffened as though absorbing a blow. Lyness had to curl his own hand into a fist to keep from speaking too quickly, too defensively.

Jack drew a breath that sounded torn from him. “We all know it will not have gone unnoticed, the way in which you left. How could it? A baron leaving with an earl’s daughter—unattended—will not be excused. Men will whisper. Women will murmur behind fans. And the story repeated tomorrow morning will not resemble truth.”

For a long moment, Roman stared at the floor before lifting his head. “I take responsibility.”

“Responsibility will not silence the whispers,” Jack said bitterly. “The reputation of an unmarried woman is more fragile than any of us care to admit.”

A silence fell. Lyness felt it tighten around his throat. His pulse pounded in his ears. He knew what was coming. He had heard of such things, and they were the fodder for many a novel, but here it was. Happening before his eyes.

At last, Roman said, quieter, “If you are implying what I think⁠—”

“I am not implying,” Jack said, voice edged with anger. “I am telling you plainly: if this is spoken of unfavorably, the only way she will recover is if you offer for her.”

Lyness’s breath caught painfully. He kept his face still. Neither of the other men looked at him. As far as they were concerned, this moment was theirs alone. Athena kept low to the ground and moved closer to him, dropping her chin onto his foot when she laid down again. Sweet soul.

“I will do so if required.” Of course he would. Roman never hesitated to act with honor.

The former soldier’s eyes darkened and his frown was something to behold. “Required,” he repeated. “Not the most charming beginning to a marriage.”

“Forced by circumstance,” Roman agreed, voice strained. “Circumstance I regret more deeply than you can imagine. Your sister deserves better, Sterling. Lady Emily is a wonderful woman.”

Pacing to the sideboard, Jack put his glass down. He did not face them as he bent his head, his posture stiff with defeat. “I cannot bear the thought of her name dragged through ugliness again.”

At that, Roman moved to him, lowering his voice. “Jack. I admire your sister. I do. She deserves someone honorable. And if the burden falls to me, I will carry it with the upmost respect for her.”

A burden? Lyness winced at the idea of anyone thinking marrying Emily, no matter the situation, a burden. Marrying her due to honor? Respect? Both virtues, but Emily deserved more. Lyness’s heart twisted, a knot of emotion rising in his chest. He stared into the fire, trying to steady his breathing. His mind scrambled for a plan.

But he heard Jack, in a low voice, murmur, “Then we are in agreement.” Lyness’s gaze came up at that, watching the two of them intently.