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"Precisely."

"And you perceive nothing romantic in such an arrangement?"

"I perceive practical necessity and two people capable of building a solid future," he replied. "I see Thomas's legacy preserved, and I see you freed from obligations that were never yours to carry."

Adelaide looked at him, noting the silver threading his dark hair, the faint scars upon his hands, and the quiet lines around his eyes.

"I never anticipated fairy-tale vows," she said softly. "At thirty years of age, I ceased expecting romantic matches after declining my second proposal."

The library fell completely silent after that. Adelaide felt her heart beating heavily against her ribs.

Say no, the sensible voice in her head warned, reminding her of the thirty years she had spent remaining safe, useful, and cautious. Say no, for he is departing, and this is merely another demand upon your devotion.

Yet as she looked into Julian's face, she saw no cold calculation, only stark honesty, lingering grief, and vulnerability.

You will regret this, the cautious voice insisted once more.

Or, suggested another thought, quieter and far braver, you could choose something for yourself—just this once.

Looking directly into his blue-gray eyes, before doubt could reassert itself, Adelaide spoke with quiet conviction: "Yes."

CHAPTER 8

"Cassian... I am getting married."

The declaration escaped Adelaide before she could restrain her breath, sounding bright, hasty, and entirely unlike her usual measured self. She turned toward the library doorway, her hand still resting upon the mahogany desk where she had just accepted Julian's proposal, and discovered her cousin motionless upon the threshold with one foot across the sill.

Cassian displayed no visible astonishment. He did not drop his hat, stagger, or offer any dramatic reaction. Instead, he looked between Adelaide and Julian with the settled composure of a man who had anticipated the final chapter of a historical volume long before reaching its conclusion.

"Ah," he murmured, a warm, knowing smile appearing upon his face. "So the matter is settled at last."

Adelaide felt a sudden warmth rise in her cheeks. "What do you mean by 'at last?' It was decided precisely five minutes ago. You cannot possibly have been awaiting an event that did not exist until this moment."

"I assure you, I could, and I have." Cassian stepped fully into the library and closed the heavy door behind him. "Ravensmere, my congratulations. You have secured the only intellect in England capable of keeping your scientific pride in check."

The corner of Julian's mouth curved upward. "I am not certain I would frame the arrangement in quite those terms."

"You have proposed to a woman who corrects your altitude calculations from memory," Cassian observed dryly. "Regardless of how you phrase it, humility is now required."

He crossed the room to Adelaide and took both of her hands in his own. His grip was warm, steady, and familiar. "And to you, my dear cousin, I wish every possible happiness, although I suspect you will find his expedition archive far more demanding than his company."

"I shall manage both with equal skill," Adelaide replied.

"Of that I harbor no doubt whatsoever." Cassian released her fingers and turned to face Julian. "When do you intend for this marriage to take place? I assume you do not plan to subject Miss Ashbourne to a prolonged Season of public speculation."

Julian had stepped closer to Adelaide. He did not touch her, yet he stood near enough that she caught the subtle scents of starched linen and iron-gall ink that accompanied him everywhere.

"I intend to apply directly to Lambeth Palace for a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury," Julian stated firmly.

Adelaide turned her head to look at him directly. "A special license?"

"The standard reading of banns requires three full weeks," Julian explained, his tone dropping into a decisive register. "I refuse to subject you to weeks of relentless scrutiny. London society tracks my movements with the enthusiasm of crows over a battlefield, and a prolonged engagement would merely feed every rumor currently circulating in the drawing rooms."

"And what rumors might those be?" Adelaide asked quietly.

"That I returned from thirteen years abroad with a collection too complex to manage alone, that my trustees imposed strict covenants upon my tenure, and that I required a duchess for administrative convenience rather than romantic sentiment."

Julian's jaw set tightly. "While they are not entirely mistaken regarding the legal necessity, I shall not allow them to dissect your character, motives, or lineage for three weeks across Mayfair."