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Aye, a smith and a traitor to the king.

The man would likely have him tossed in the dungeon before he would accept him as a suitor for his daughter.

And if he supports our cause?

There was a better chance of that than the earl supporting a claim to his daughter. And now he’d given her false hope.

Was there a worse man alive than he?

Chapter 19

“He is glorious.”

Although Idalia had meant to keep her entanglement with Lance to herself for the time being, her resolution hadn’t lasted long. Love loosened a person’s tongue, it turned out, for she’d already told her maid everything.

“I love him,” she confessed, then hastened to add, “I know, ’tis a silly thing to say about a man I met mere weeks ago, but Leana, if you could only speak at length to him. Well,” she considered, “that may not convince you right away. He actually appears quite dour at times.”

“You do remember I’ve already met him.” Leana finished tying the laces on her side.

Idalia lowered her arm and smoothed out her surcoat.

“But you did not get to know him.”

“I’m happy for you, Idalia, truly, but are you certain”—Leana cleared her throat—“your father will approve?”

“I am.”

She avoided Leana’s gaze. It was a lie and both women knew it. Still, Lance had asked for a meeting—and she’d arranged it with her father.

“I spoke to Mother this morn. She asked that I bring Lance to her for an extended visit.”

“How does she fare today?”

“The same,” she admitted. “I tried to convince her to walk about the chamber, but her stomach pained her too much.”

Her mother thought she was dying, that she would never get well, but Idalia refused to accept it as a possibility. The physician from London was due to arrive any day.

Her mother would get well. She simply must.

“Are you ready?”

She looked down at her pale yellow kirtle, topped with a royal blue surcoat.

Stanton colors.

Her father adored them and never failed to comment when she, or her sisters, wore them. Unlike Roysa and Tilly, Idalia rarely attempted to curry approval, but today, she could use every bit of help she could get.

Leana was certainly right: convincing her father she should marry for love would not be a simple matter. Even the countess, who’d suggested the match, agreed with her on that.

But Idalia was determined. A trait she had, according to her mother, inherited directly from the very man she sought to convince.

First, however, she needed to find Lance. They’d agreed to meet just inside the hall so she could properly present him to her father. Sure enough, that was exactly where she found him, standing just inside the entranceway. Others always appeared so small standing next to the two massive oak doors. But not he. Not Lance.

He was speaking to Dawson when she approached.

“Good day,” she called to them both.

Thankfully, Dawson did not seem to notice the lingering, appreciative look Lance gave her as she came near.