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“Because Asquith compelled her to submit to a dreadful ordeal.”

Eliza shook her head no. “You didn’t see Millie and Neville together. Neville was so tender, kind, and attentive after he brought Millie in from the stables.”

“The stables?” Lenora scratched her temple.

“Earlier, Asquith had taken Millie out there. He said he wanted her opinion about a horse he bought yesterday, but I suspect—”

“A horse?! He bought a horse? Yesterday?!”

Both Lenora’s hands flew to her head. That was his “urgent business”? And now, when the Lord Chancellor was closely watching?

He’d begged her forgiveness, while his mind was on yet another new horse?

Ugh. Faithfully, devotedly—both with those little, heartbreaking commas. Lies.

He had, on one hand, soothed her worries, while sabotaging their chances with the other. That new horse practically ensured the Chancellor would deny his permission.

Her lower lip trembled.

“What is so strange about Asquith buying a horse?” Eliza asked. “Anyway, after Neville and Millie returned from the stables, Neville announced he wished to keep watch over the household the whole of the night, just so Millie could sleep. Don’t you think that is sweet?”

Neville’s “sweetness” was irrelevant. “What about Millie? Did she come back from the stables betrothed?”

Eliza tilted her head. “Not exactly. But from the lingering looks she and Neville were exchanging, I was certain marriage would be the result. This morning, Harbury sent around a note proving I was correct.”

Lenora cocked a brow. “What a hectic morning you’ve had, and you’re not even out of bed!”

Eliza’s smile spread. “You haven’t any idea how busy I’ve been.”

Lenora’s eyes widened. She glanced toward the door and back. “You mean...”

“I told you that you shouldn’t have barged in.” Eliza lifted her chin. “By mere minutes, you only missed the sight of my husband’s naked—”

“Eliza!”

Eliza shrugged. “Speaking of the marital act, last night, I was so certain Millie would marry Neville, I sent Cassie out of the room so I could tell Millie, in vivid detail, what to expect on the wedding night.” Eliza gave Lenora a significant expression. “Though slightly mortified, Millie was not indifferent, believe me.”

Well, that didn’t sound like Millie. Any mention of the marital act always elicited disgust from their sister.

And when Millie had caught a glimpse of Asquith naked—an admittedly much briefer glimpse than Lenora’s, as Millie had been astride a galloping horse—she’d declared the male form odd and unappealing.

Which, at least in Asquith’s case, was false, as any lady of proper taste could have seen.

Eliza patted the mattress. “Come, sit.”

Weary, Lenora sat. She stared down at her hands. Fingers, palms and wrists appeared normal, but they felt like lead.

“I don’t have to give the same talk to you,” Eliza quietly asked. “Do I?”

“No.” Lenora did not look up. “Tonight is not my wedding night.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Lenora pursed her lips. What of her promise to Asquith?

He hadn’t kept his own. Besides, she doubted she’d be able to hide her condition much longer. She might as well confirm Eliza’s suspicions.

“If you did give me the same talk, I would not have been mortified. I was shameless when Asquith and I...”