“Yes,” his mother replied. “You are free to go.”
“Thank you.” He walked over to the door and stopped. “Will you speak to Ellie when you have the chance?”
“About what, dear?” his mother asked.
“I just want to ensure she is all right with all of this.”
Harriet smiled. “I will see to it.”
16
Ellie saton the settee in her bedchamber as she attempted to sort through her feelings. She should be elated that Lord Bideford had devised a plan to keep her safe from Lord Worthington’s clutches, but she only felt apprehension. She’d heard the harshness in Lord Bideford’s voice when he’d announced that he would marry her, assuming his plan did not work. But she refused to force him into a marriage he clearly did not want.
Why had she agreed to this madness? Could she pretend to be engaged to Lord Bideford and still manage to suppress her feelings for him? She wasn’t sure if she could.
A knock came at the door, breaking her out of her thoughts.
“Enter,” Ellie ordered.
The door opened, and Harriet and Emma walked into the room. “How are you faring, child?” Harriet asked.
“I am well,” she lied.
Harriet gave her a knowing look as she sat next to her on the settee. “Would you care to talk about whatever is troubling you?”
Ellie lowered her gaze to her lap. “I must admit I am rather concerned about entering into a fake engagement with Lord Bideford.”
“I assumed as much,” Harriet said.
Emma sat on the bed. “I think the plan is brilliant.”
“You do?” Ellie asked, bringing her gaze back up.
“I do,” Emma replied, “especially since I would love to have you as my sister-in-law. You are far better than Lady Persephone.” She shuddered.
Harriet nodded. “I agree with Emma,” she said. “You are more suitable for my son than Lady Persephone was.”
“That is because Lady Persephone is the devil’s spawn,” Emma pressed.
Harriet frowned. “That is terrible of you to say.”
“It makes it no less true,” Emma stated with a smile on her lips.
“Regardless,” Harriet started, “we are thrilled by Roswell’s choice.”
Ellie gave her a sad smile. “But I am not truly engaged to your son,” she reminded them. “This is just a ruse.”
“We are well aware,” Harriet said with a wave of her hand. “Aren’t we, Emma?”
“Yes, Mother.”
There was something in Harriet’s voice that caused Ellie to pause. “Do you want me to marry your son?” she asked boldly.
A bright smile came to Harriet’s face. “Of course I do!” she exclaimed.
“Why?”
“Frankly, I couldn’t have planned this out better if I tried,” Harriet said. “It was evident from the moment you two met that you belonged together.”
