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“You were alone with Lord Trent,” Theo said slowly.
“Yes.” Though she tried to sound unflappable, heat swept up her cheeks.
Theo gasped. “Therogue! How far did he dare go?”
Pippa bit into her lower lip. “I was a willing participant…I might even daresay the instigator.”
“Oh dear.” Theo squeezed her hand. “Hartford will speak with the marquess. It is very well known in thetonthat he is not interested in marriage, but I am certain he will see that you have been irrevocably compromised and—”
“Oh, Theo, I have no wish for him to marry me that way!” Pippa cried, her heart racing. “Please, I know you love me dearly, but I ask you to not interfere in this matter.”
Theo searched Pippa’s face intently. “Are you certain?”
She nodded vigorously. “I am. I cannot marry unless I am assured that gentleman will love me as I love him, that he would be faithful to our vows. I…I cannot understand what Lord Trent feels for me at all. If any sort of forcing is involved, I am certain it will lead to a grave disaster.”
The duchess’s expression softened with understanding. “Very well. You look quite a fright. Please do freshen up. I will join everyone below stairs soon.” Theo rang the servant’s bell, and a maid appeared to guide Pippa to her chamber.
It was an exquisite room facing the woodlands of the estate. Peering through the windows, she gasped to see the duke and the marquess walking in the distance, clearly in conversation. Pippa pressed her hand to the cool window and, as if he sensed her stare, he glanced up. Pleasure warmed her cheeks and swallowing tightly against the emotions stirring inside her heart, she stepped away.
A bath was prepared for her, and the maid assisted her from her clothes. Pippa carefully undressed and removed her bandage, then she stepped into the bath, issuing a sigh of delight as the heat removed the ache from her limbs. She lowered herself in the large tub, drawing her knees up to rest her chin on them.
Oh, William, I miss you already.
The tears that had pricked at her eyes spilled over, and though she felt foolish that she cried, Pippa did not try to contain them. Something about their time in the cottage had felt so perfectly wonderful, a glimpse of what her future with the marquess could be like.
Except now it was over.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
William strolled across the lawns with the duke at his side, and as succinctly as possible he told Hartford how he came to find Pippa and that she had been alone with him for the last couple of days.
“She does not appear the worse for wear,” Hartford said, eyeing him carefully.
William chuckled without humor. “The minx is quite fine. Her ankle is healing well.”
“You seem fond of her. Did you not just meet her?”
“We shared a connection before this mishap.” William shoved his hands in his pockets and tipped his face to the sky.
“What are you thinking to appear so grave?”
“I will procure a special license posthaste for our marriage. I would appreciate it if you and your duchess would serve as our witnesses.”
“I believe you are making a mistake,” Hartford said, casting him a considering glance. “You sound and look like a gentleman heading to the damn gallows.”
William grimaced.
“Do you love Lady Phillipa?” the duke asked.
A sensation unknown to William pulsed through his entire body, but he kept his expression inscrutable. “What does love have to do with me making Lady Phillipa an offer? She was compromised. I knew the potential outcome the instant I chose to take her back to my cottage, and I did it fully aware of the consequences.”
The duke sighed and William snapped, “Come on, man, her honor and reputation is irrefutably compromised. She has been alone with me in my cottage for three days. We return to find a house full of society ladies, a few of them at this very moment watching us with their faces pressed to the windows’ glass. Their curiosity is staggering. I assure you this will come out, and she will be shredded. Upon my honor, I cannot allow her to endure that scrutiny and disgrace.”
Hartford chuckled. “These ladies might very well surprise you. I have come to learn more about them in the time I’ve been with my duchess. They all belong to a ladies’ club my wife runs with a few of her dearest friends.”
William jolted. “At Berkeley Square?”
“Yes. All the ladies in residence at my home are members of that club. They are a fiercely loyal bunch, and they would never do anything to bring harm to each other. Trent, you have managed to avoid marriage and were adamant that you would never be forced to marry, whatever the circumstances. Hell, a duke’s daughter tried to force your hand some years ago and you walked away and developed a reputation of being a cold-blooded rogue. I know Lady Phillipa did not deliberately compromise you, but I think she will be mortified if you insist on marriage because of your accidental sojourn together. I am certain she has other hopes for her marriage than an offer made out of duty.”
