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Well, it was too late for that.

There was nothing he could do about it now.

Is there?

“Thank you,” he said to his valet as he finished tying his cravat.

Richard peered into the looking glass. He was dressed perfectly in all black save for the blue waistcoat, crisp white shirtsleeves, and the cravat.

His hair was swept back with the aid of a pomade. He looked perfectly respectable and ready to announce his betrothal during the biggest ball of the house party.

What his reflection didn’t show was that his stomach was tied in knots. His hands perspired beneath his gloves, and his heart thumped rapidly against his ribcage as if trying to escape.

Or was it urging him to escape?

To leave this place, get Jo, and just never return.

He took a deep breath. The time for foolish thoughts was over. It was now time to go and announce his betrothal.

Richard stepped out of the room and slowly made his way to the ballroom. He tugged on his cravat, for the room was suffocating. Or perhaps it wasn’t the room that was the problem but Richard himself.

He stood in the crowded ballroom, his gaze unfocused, the noise of conversation buzzing around him. And yet he didn’t see or hear anything. It was as if he was surrounded by fog.

Isabel sidled closer to him, pushing him out of the haze. She stared into the crowd as she spoke. “Are you certain you want to go through with it?”

Richard cleared his throat. “It’s not as if I have a choice. The papers have been signed.”

There was a pause. “This is not what I asked.”

Richard swallowed. Isabel knew the depth of his affair with Jo far more than any other person in the ballroom. And he was grateful for her interference. If only there was anything he could do about it. “I know,” he said, sounding defeated even to his own ears.

“We can weather any scandal, Richard, just… Please, be certain about this.” Isabel turned her pleading eyes to him. It was as if she was pleading for herself. Or perhaps she was pleading on Jo’s behalf.

Had they talked about him? And if so, what did Jo tell his sister that she hadn’t told him?

Did she despise him now or did she still have hope in her heart that everything would work out?

How could it? Even if he stopped the proceedings now and didn’t announce the betrothal, what would their future be like?

He was still a viscount. He still needed a respectable wife. He needed to beget heirs.

He tugged on his cravat once again and gave a sharp nod. “I am certain.”

Thick chestnut hair caught his eyes, and he turned, watching as Jo danced with Lord FitzWalter. Richard gritted his teeth. Soon he’d be a married man. And once he was, he would never be able to dance with Jo again. Not without courting a scandal. And Jo would be forever out of his reach.

Well, he wasn’t a married man yet.

As soon as the music ceased, he elbowed his way to Jo’s side.

She was smiling widely at one of the gentlemen when Richard unceremoniously stepped between them.

She raised her worried eyes to his. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

Richard extended his hand. “Asking you for a dance.”

Jo looked around, her teeth gritted. “Everybody’s watching.”

Richard sketched a bow. “Yes, and they will note upon it if you decline.”