“I suppose you are right,” she said and turned, her gown swaying as she exited the room. The moment she was out of earshot, he got up and joined Sally’s side.
“Well, now that it is just the two of us, why don’t we talk?” he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“I am unsure what there is to talk about,” she confessed. “He either comes or he does not. Either way, my fate is sealed, and I shall make the best of it.”
“You always were the most level-headed one. I know that you have the stoic heart of my own mother who managed to muddle through anything. But please, I want you to know that I am certain all will be well, my dear,” he assured her, his gaze filled with determination. “Even when it doesn’t look like it right now.”
Sally pressed her lips together before letting out a heavy sigh. “I just wish Mother had not acted so rashly. I know she was worried I might wind up an old maid but this? Arranging a marriage in such a way?”
“If you truly do not wish to marry him,” he said, his tone steady, “I will find a way to shoulder the responsibility of restoring our family’s name. I’ve done it once before.”
His words surprised her, though she knew it would be impossible. Sally’s mind drifted back to the tumultuous events of the past two years—the scrutiny, the whispers of scandal surrounding her father’s mismanagement of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel orphanage. It had looked as if the family might fall out of favor with society because of his actions for some while. Yet, through sheer determination and with the support of allies like Kenneth and Leonard, her father had managed to redeem himself, albeit partially. Another scandal, another blow to their family’s reputation, would be devastating. They had only just begun to rebuild what had been lost.
“No, Father. You need not worry,” Sally said when as if on cue, the arrival of a carriage outside quickened Sally’s heartbeat. A knock on the door followed, and Jenkins, their loyal butler, ushered in Leonard.
Sally rose to her feet, her movements graceful as she curtsied in greeting.
“It is good to see you, Your Grace,” she said and rose to her full height.
“And you,” was all Leonard offered in return, along with a bow. “My Lord, I apologize for the delay but I had matters to tend to. I should have sent a note.”
“Never you worry, Your Grace. I knew you’d not let me down. Reliable as oxen, the Hardings are, eh wot?” he winked at Sally but she was focused more on Leonard’s reaction. He seemed to have stiffened at the mention of his family name. Why was that?
“Well, I try,” Leonard replied in so stiff a tone, Sally froze. His coldness unsettled her, leaving her shaken and questioning what had caused this change in him. He’d been cheerful when they first met in the library, and almost warm when he proposed their fake marriage – but now he was changed. He used to be so different—steady, dependable—but now, he seemed so unpredictable.
As the two men left for the study, restlessness consumed Sally. She paced the room, her mind racing with unanswered questions. Why was Leonard behaving this way? What had she done to deserve such indifference? She was trying to do her best but he was entirely uninterested.
Half an hour passed before she was interrupted by a summons to the study. She took a deep breath, swallowed down her apprehension and did as she’d been beckoned to do.
Upon entry into the study, Sally found Leonard standing by the window, his gaze fixed on the world outside, seemingly oblivious to her presence.
“There you are, Sally,” her father greeted her and for a split second, Leonard looked her way and nodded his chin slightly.
“We have come to an agreement that is satisfactory to all involved. His Grace and I have determined that we must make haste to silence the Lady Millstones of this world. Thus, I’m writing to the Archbishop of Canterbury right away to obtain a special license. You will marry next week.”
Sally’s eyes darted to Leonard to gauge his reaction but he remained silent, his hands buried in his pockets. One week. In one week she’d be married to this man who might as well have been a statue in her sister Joanna’s statue garden.
“Where will we wed, Your Grace?’ she asked but he only shrugged.
“Wherever you please, Lady Sally,” he replied.
“We’ll have the ceremony here, on our estate,” her father broke in, his tone resolute and a little too eager. “And then we will have a wedding breakfast here and the two of you can leave for your honeymoon. Although His Grace tells me that your honeymoon period will be spent at his home.”
“So you can become accustomed to it,” Leonard said, finally showing any interest although Sally realized almost right away that he was only looking to remind her of their agreement. They’d have their honeymoon together to convince people of the legitimacy of their union – and then they’d go their separate ways. Separate but together. Just how would that look? Would they live together but never see each other? Have separate households? Would she be doomed to go to sleep next to a man who’d always have his back to her?
She inhaled sharply as shot out for their wedding night. They were marrying for show only. So that meant … An ache went through her as she realized the enormity of it all. They were marrying for others, not for themselves. He’d said she’d have her own life – and the true meaning of this suddenly sat in. She’d never have a child. She’d never be a mother. She’d been so busy trying to convince herself all would be well she’d neglected what she stood to lose. And he? He’d have no heir. Had he realized this? Or had he assumed they would still ensure there was an heir? Her head swirled with the possibility. No, this would not do. She had to speak to him privately. Somehow.
“Your Grace, would you care to take the air with me? So we might discuss our honeymoon?” she asked, eyes fixed on him so he might sense the urgency in her request.
To her great dismay he shook his head, though reluctantly. “I am afraid I cannot, Lady Sally. I must return home. If I am to take a honeymoon, I must ensure my business is taken care of and that requires my attention now.” He bowed again, turned to her father and issued an equally curt farewell to him.
As he left, Sally stood there, watching him go, feeling a profound sense of loss wash over her once more. At that moment, she couldn’t help but wonder if the man she was about to marry was still the same person she once knew—or if he had become someone entirely different.
CHAPTER8
Sally
“Ican still remember when we were little and we’d play wedding with our stuffed bears as grooms,” Joanna said on the morning of Sally’s wedding as she helped her braid her long chestnut hair into a crown.
