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“Why not?”

“He believes that he is cursed and that anyone whom he loves will die.”

Emily frowned in confusion. “Why would he believe such a thing?”

“Because all of the people that he has loved have indeed died. His mother died when we were children. His father died when he was but a young man, and then his betrothed died soon thereafter. He fled England to remove himself from the place of his pain, and then I dragged him back into it with my deception.”

Emily shook her head. “How did you do that?”

“When people saw us together, they began to gossip about his curse and how they believed that I was going to be the next victim of it. I fear that this gossip caused him further pain.”

“You are not responsible for the actions of others. The English ton will gossip no matter what is happening. If the gossip was not about you and Percy, it would have been about another poor unfortunate soul. If their gossip did cause Percy pain, then it is up to him to come to terms with that. You are not responsible.” Emily studied Madeleine’s face. “Do you believe him to be cursed?”

“I do not,” Madeleine answered emphatically.

“Then go after what you want.”

“But…”

Emily shook her head. “But nothing. You love him, do you not?”

“Unfortunately.”

Emily laughed. “Love is not unfortunate. Look at how happy our parents are with one another. Look at the Viscount and me. We are blissfully in love with one another.”

“There is no reason to tell him that I love him.”

“No reason?”

“I have no desire to marry anyone.”

“Not even the man you love?”

“No.”

“Why not?” Emily’s tone showed her bafflement.

“I do not wish to have children. If I wed, I will be forced to provide an heir.”

Emily’s brows rose in surprise once more. “You are wonderful with children. I have seen how much you love them. Mother and I used to note that if you were not a well-born lady of the nobility, you would have made a marvelous governess. Why would you not want a child of your own?”

“I do not want to die.”

Emily sat in silence for a moment. Drawing a breath, she cocked her head to the side, her face taking on an empathetic expression. “It is true that we women can perish in childbirth. I will not attempt to convince you otherwise, but that does not mean thatallwomen die.” She studied Madeleine’s face for a moment longer. “Does this have to do with Percy’s mother dying in childbirth?”

Madeleine was surprised by her sister’s insight into her inner thoughts. “Yes. How did you know?”

“I remember how badly affected you were by the Duchess’ death.”

“I did not think that you had noticed. Mother needed you and Father beside her at the time. Percy needed Cecil but would not allow anyone else to bring him comfort. I thought I needed to grieve alone. I will never forget that day. I can still see it in my mind now: the Duke on his knees weeping for the loss of his wife and child, Percy standing stoically with Cecil by his side. The pain in his eyes haunts me to this day. I swore right there and then that I would never be responsible for causing that kind of pain to those that I loved.”

“I am sorry that you felt you had to endure that day alone. I am always here for you, Madeleine. Even when I must attend to others, my heart is always with you. You are never alone.”

Madeleine gave her sister a watery smile, and they hugged. “Thank you.”

Emily sat back and wiped the tears from Madeleine’s cheeks. “Now, let us get you up out of this bed and into the sunshine. Shall we promenade along the canal? We can speak further of this business about love and marriage out in the open air. It will do you good.”

Madeleine nodded and moved back the covers so that she could crawl out of bed. The moment that her feet hit her bedside rug,her head felt like the world was spinning around her. Within the next moment, she had slipped into blackness. The last thing that she heard was Emily crying out her name as she fell to the floor.