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Cordelia staggered to a halt.

Something was wrong.

The realization came with such force that she caught herself against the wall, her breath leaving her in a startled rush. She recalled the peculiar blankness in George's eyes, the way he had frowned as though struggling to comprehend what was happening around him. When he had attempted to stand, he had swayed so badly that he had been forced to steady himself against the chaise.

And Lady Victoria…

Why had the woman looked so startled when Cordelia entered? Why had Katherine been so determined that she witness the scene rather than simply tell her what she had observed?

Her sister had known precisely where to find them.

Indeed, Katherine had led her there. A cold sensation slipped down Cordelia’s spine.

She remembered George's promise to court her openly before announcing their engagement. He had already begun doing precisely that tonight, making no secret of his preference for her before the entire ballroom. Why would he risk everything they had planned by engaging in such a scandalous embrace with another woman, particularly in the home of their hostess, where anyone might have discovered them?

He would not.

Cordelia knew it with a certainty that swept aside the terrible doubts that had overwhelmed her. Whatever she had witnessed in that library, it was not the deliberate betrayal of the man she loved.

Something was dreadfully wrong.

And she had left him there.

“Oh, George,” she whispered, horrified by how readily she had believed the worst.

She whirled around and hastened back along the corridor, gathering her skirts to prevent herself from tripping. Her heart pounded, but the dreadful helplessness that had nearly brought her to her knees moments earlier was rapidly giving way to a fierce determination.

She would not abandon him.

Not when every instinct she possessed warned her that he needed her.

Cordelia reached the library and pushed the door open.

George was still upon the chaise longue, although Lady Victoria was no longer sprawled atop him. He sat hunched forward, groaning softly, with his head cradled in one hand. His dark hair was disheveled, and even from the doorway, Cordelia could see the unnatural pallor of his face.

Her heart twisted.

He looked ill.

Neither Katherine nor Lady Victoria noticed her return.

“Lady Giles and a few others will come soon,” Katherine was saying in a low, urgent voice.

Cordelia froze.

For a moment, she could scarcely believe what she had heard. Then the dreadful meaning of those words settled over her. Lady Giles was their hostess, and Katherine was expecting her to arrive with witnesses.

“He will have to marry you,” her sister continued.

The words struck Cordelia with such appalling clarity that all the remaining pieces of the deception fell into place. “Get away from him. Now!”

Her voice rang through the library with such fury that both women spun toward her.

George lifted his head. For a moment, he merely stared at her, his expression clouded and bewildered. Then something changed in his eyes, a faint spark of recognition that made Cordelia's heart ache.

He struggled to his feet.

“Cordelia,” he murmured, and then he smiled.