Page 48 of Duke of Sapphire

“Right,” Tristan said, when he had finished.

Henry picked up the brandy.

“How precisely did she come to be in your carriage?” Tristan said.

“She had stowed away.”

“Stowed away.”

“In a valet’s coat. She was disguised.”

Tristan absorbed this. “And you discovered the disguise⁠—”

“Immediately.”

“I see.” Tristan paused. “Why did you decide to help her?”

“Have you known me to leave a lady stranded?”

“No, but you would not have risked your reputation.”

Henry sighed. “I felt sorry for her when I learned her father planned to give her away to Redmont.”

Tristan nodded. “Ah, so you rescued her from Redmont.”

“Perhaps.”

“And what precisely did the solicitor say about the guardianship?” Tristan asked. “The full extent of it.”

“Ian must reside at my primary household. The terms are clear and Chancery has the document.”

“And at what point,” Tristan said pleasantly, “did you determine that marriage was the most practical solution available?”

Henry set the glass down. “When the alternatives were examined and found insufficient.”

“What were the alternatives?”

“Leaving her in Scotland. Bringing her to London as a governess. Neither was viable.”

“And so you proposed.”

“Yes.”

“In the library at Drummond Hall.”

“Yes.”

“After knowing her for⁠—”

“Ten days.” Henry held Tristan’s gaze. “The duration is not relevant.”

Tristan looked at him. “Henry. You have just described your wife of four days as a solution to a logistical problem.”

“I described the marriage as a solution to a logistical problem. There is a difference.”

“Is there?”

“Yes.”