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Justine ignored her. She looked at William. “I love him.”
There was a moment of silence. Justine wondered if anyone had heard her. William had not moved, and no one had said a word. But then Lady Iddesleigh said, very softly,“Oh.”
“What?”Amelia cried. “You lovehim?” She pointed at William.
“No’ a resounding vote of confidence, but I understand,” William said.
“Yes, Amelia. I love him. Moreover, Itrusthim. He is the only person who has ever told me the truth. He is the only person to really see me.”
Every head in that room swiveled toward William. He tried to smile. But then he shrugged, palms up, and said, “Aye, and I love her, with all my heart. It would be a damn sight easier if I didna, but I do, and I’d give all that I have and am for her.”
“That isso romantic,”Lady Iddesleigh sighed. She leaned back against the settee, her hand caressing her belly.
“What are you saying?” Amelia demanded. “Do you mean to marry him?”
Justine drew another breath. “I can’t.”
Amelia looked around at them all with utter confusion. “Will someone kindly explain what is happening?”
“Or rather,hecan’t,” Justine amended. “There is a bit of a problem in that a young woman has said her—”
“I beg your pardon,leannan,but her father had said it.”
“Right, yes. Her father has accused William of fathering her child.”
Amelia gasped. She stared at William. And then at Justine. “Oh no. Then it’s true? This is...this is sobad, Jussie. What are you doing?”
“He didn’t do it, Amelia. He is innocent. Even you said you didn’t believe the rumors about him.”
“Je,but you can’t believehim—”
“Of course he didn’t do it,” Beck said and stood. He began to pace beside Justine. “Douglas is a scoundrel, but he is an honorable one. If he says he didn’t, he didn’t.”
Everyone looked at William again.
He put his hand on his heart. “On the lives of my future children, I did no’. If I had, I would do the honorable thing.”
“The problem here is, we’ve got to convince the rest of the world that he didn’t,” Beck said. He stopped pacing and looked around the room. “That is...we’re all in agreement that these two young pups deserve their chance at happiness? Show of hands.” He raised his hand.
His wife eagerly raised hers. So did Lord and Lady Aleksander. As did Justine and William.
Amelia looked all around her. “Really? But I thought you hated him.” She slowly raised her hand.
“I did, but then I didn’t,” Justine admitted.
“Youhatedme?” William exclaimed.
“I’ll explain it later,” she said. “Lord Iddesleigh, we are agreed. You were saying?”
“Yes. Well, then. In my estimation, what we need is the father to come forward and admit the truth.”
“I believe that to be a problem,” William said. “I don’t believe the father knows he is a father.”
“That’s outrageous!” Lady Iddesleigh cried.
“I believe that’s why Mr. Simpson has kept the lass locked away. He had set his sights higher for his daughter.”
Everyone’s brows furrowed.
