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It was the nail in the coffin she’d been trying to remove with her bare hands. But she couldn’t. He was right. Too many people already knew of the special license they’d obtained. Too many people were expecting to see Marie happily wedded to the eldest Shepherd twin. Should it not go through now, who knew what manner of salacious gossip would spread about her, thereby ending any chance of a happy future?

“What are we to do?” she asked, forcing an unchanged tone and expression, though the favorable future she’d pictured was quietly slipping from her fingertips. “Force him into agreeing?”

She grimaced. How awkward—how terrible—to begin a marriage with a man pressured into it. He was to blame for this whole debacle. Lack of stoicism would always get a man into trouble. But she felt for him all the same.

“We must appeal to his senses,” Father said. “Allow him to see what this will do to your reputation should he refuse.”

“And if he still refuses?”

He looked at the Shepherds with a grim expression. “I shall take other measures.”

Marie cringed. Father and his dramatics. She had no doubt he’d duel with Mr. Charles Shepherd if he were allowed to do so.

She could only pray it wouldn’t lead to that.

She followed Father back to the hearth, waiting there in silence and doing her best not to overhear the last of the Shepherds’ conversation.

“You will be happy with her, son,” Mrs. Shepherd said. “Trust us.”

“Trust you?” her son spat out in a whisper. “How can I trust you after all of this?”

“Hush now,” his father said, motioning to Marie.

All three straightened from their hunched together positions, then rejoined Marie, her family, and Mr. Berryman by the hearth.

The younger Mr. Shepherd appeared no less frazzled than before, still running his fingers through his hair.

“My daughter was right to pull me away,” Father began first. “She has reminded me that we are all friends, and friends we shall remain.”

Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd exchanged glances of relief and nods of affirmation before Father continued.

“So moving forward, I should like to speak calmly, rationally, and with respect, if you so agree, Mr. Shepherd?”

The younger Mr. Shepherd nodded in agreement.

Father pressed on. “Now, I’m certain your parents have already shared with you the serious matter of my beloved daughter’s reputation should you not follow through with this marriage.”

Charles gave a firm nod. “Yes, sir. I was informed that might occur. However, as I understand it, discretion was advised for all parties included, so no one will have heard of the marriage but us. As I’m certain we six can hold our tongues and...Mr. Berryman?”

A look passed between the vicar and the man that Marie couldn’t begin to understand. “A man of God always keeps his word,” Mr. Berryman said.

“Naturally,” Mr. Shepherd mumbled. “As such, no damage to Miss Oakley’s reputation will occur if only the seven of us are aware of a marriage even occurring.”

“Ah, yes,” the elder Mr. Shepherd said from the back. “There is one small problem with that.”

Mr. Charles Shepherd frowned. “And what is that?”

“Well,” Mrs. Shepherd began with a small, sheepish grin, “you see, I was so thrilled at the prospect of you marrying Marie that I may or may not have let the word slip to a few...dozen people.”

Her son gaped. “Mother...”

“Can you blame me?” she asked with a shrug.

Marie hid her smile. Mrs. Shepherd was an utter delight.

Unfortunately, her son was not.

“I may have let word slip, as well,” Mother admitted.