turned and waved. The young woman dipped into a curtsey.
“There’s no need for that, Rose,” Fraser said. “How’s your Will settling in?”
“Ever so well,” she said. “He’s already made a friend at school and has been learning his letters.”
“A friend?”
“Aye,” Hamish said. “Old Alistair’s grandson, Callum.”
“Such a polite boy,” Rose said. “I can’t thank you enough, sir, for taking us in.”
“I should be thanking you, Rose,” Fraser said. “We’re always in need of good workers, and Mrs. Forbes has nothing but praise for you.” He turned to his foreman. “I trust she’s settling in well, Hamish?”
“Aye, sir, very well, indeed.”
“Then, Rose,” Fraser said, “with your permission, I’ll write to Mrs. Forbes to let her know.”
“May I send her a letter, too?” she asked. “I’m anxious to hear about the wedding.”
“Is Mrs. Forbes getting married?”
“Lord, no, sir!” Rose laughed. “I meant Miss Delilah.”
Fraser’s throat tightened at the mention of her name.
“Miss Hart?”
“We were glad for her when she told us,” Rose said. “Mrs. Forbes made a special tea for us all to celebrate.”
She clasped her hands to her chest. “I’m that happy for her! To think—she’ll be Lady Tipton!”
Lady Tipton…
Invisible cold fingers clenched his stomach, and he swallowed the bile rising in his throat.
“Are you all right, sir?” Hamish asked.
Fraser nodded, but the cold tightened his chest until he struggled to breathe.
He’d lost her. Because of his stupid pride, anger, and resentment, he’d dumped her on her brother’s doorstep and fled to Scotland to lick his wounds.
Which had paved the way for that fool to snatch the spoils.
But perhaps it was not too late. If he left today, he’d reach London in four days—five at the most.
“When’s the wedding?” he asked.
“I believe it’s tomorrow,” Rose said.
The nugget of hope died. Not only was he too late, but he’d have to endure the day of her marriage, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it.
*
Delilah smoothed the skirt of her wedding gown and looked at her reflection. The woman staring back did not look like a bride. Her belly protruded through the delicate lace, and no amount of work on Madame Dupont’s part could disguise her condition.
Tomorrow she would be married. Sir Thomas had insisted on restricting the guests to close family only, ‘to preserve sensibilities,’ and Dexter had agreed. They’d even kept her from going to church while the banns were being read.
To prevent attention being drawn to you, Delilah. There’s plenty of time to parade yourself round London once you’re Lady Tipton.
What Dexter had actually meant was that she’d be permitted to present herself in public once an appropriate period of time had elapsed after her child was born, so as to prevent the gossips commenting on the fact that her child would be born three months after her wedding.
The chamber door opened. Dorothea’s face appeared in the mirror, and she placed a hand on Lilah’s shoulder.
“You look beautiful, Lilah,” she said. “My little sister, the prettiest bride in London.”
Lilah lifted her hand and placed it over her sister’s, interlocking their fingers. “Hardly that,” she sighed. “I’m marrying a man I don’t love to prevent my child from being born a bastard.”
“Delilah!”
“Forgive me, Thea,” she said. A tear splashed onto her cheek.
“Society marriages aren’t based on love,” Thea said. “You’re a strong woman—stronger than me. And clever. You’ll have him bending to your will in no time. Think of it, Lilah! A home and children.”
“I suppose it’s the least reprehensible option,” Lilah said.
“It could be worse.” A look of sadness crossed Thea’s expression, then she smiled. “Sir Thomas is not a bad man. He loves you, and your fortune is guaranteed to enhance that love.”
“Except I have no fortune.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve invested it,” Lilah said. “Though, according to Dexter, I’ve as good as given it away.”
“Good heavens!” Thea cried. “Does Sir Thomas know?”
“He’s said he’s not marrying me for my money.”
“That’s not what I asked,” Thea said. “It’s easy for a man to declare he has no need for something when he doesn’t expect to be deprived of it. You must tell him, Delilah. It’s only fair.”
“I promised Dexter I’d tell him,” Lilah said, “and I will.”
“Tell him before tomorrow. He has a right to know that your fortune is no longer at his disposal.”
“You think a marriage should be founded on funds?”
“At the very least, Delilah, it should be founded on honesty,” Thea said. “You, of all people, should understand the consequences of deception.”
Thea was right. Lilah’s dishonesty had driven away the man she loved.
The man