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She would have to marry Stanford, Duke of Asherford.

There was nothing for it.

How he must be reveling in the turn of events which forced her hand. She would be his. And yet, all she detected in his expression and eyes was compassion and regret.

“The Duke of Asherford asked for my hand weeks ago,” Ophelia said, astonished at how strong and even her voice sounded when her heart was shattering behind her breastbone. He had asked, and with any luck, everyone present would assume she’d agreed to the match.

What woman didn’t want to become a duchess?

Ophelia, for one.

Maxwell and Gabriella exchanged a startled glance that said, He did? Why didn’t we know about it? Then their gazes came to rest upon her once more.

“And,” Gabriella urged gently. “What did you say?”

Ophelia knew Gabriella was only trying to protect her by making her claim publicly that she and the duke were affianced, but she wasn’t sure Ophelia could say the words aloud. Once she did, her fate was nearly sealed. Breaking a betrothal to a duke was no minor social infraction. She might as well take vows and cloister herself in a convent in France for the remainder of her life.

Stanford took her hand in his and then, mindful of her injured palm, tenderly raised her hand to his mouth. An encouraging half-smile bending his lips, he stared intently into her eyes, waiting for her to be the one to make the announcement.

No doubt others had heard his declaration that they were betrothed. Thus, Ophelia’s reputation could be salvaged, and her ability to marry for love sacrificed with one tiny word.

Simultaneous salvation and crushed dreams.

She would exchange her freedom to choose her future for gilded imprisonment—all for the sake of her blasted reputation. Which, come to think of it, was really highly overrated.

Nonetheless, she knew what she must do, not only for her sake but also for his and Gabriella’s and Maxwell’s. So Ophelia fashioned a brittle smile and permitted Stanford to tuck her hand into the crook of his elbow.

She inhaled deeply, then forced the word past her lips. “Yes.”