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No, that is silly. He’s not the sort of man one falls in love with.

Beatrice cleared her throat, meeting her mother’s gaze squarely. “What do you mean, Mama? I’m just thinking of how pretty this dress looks, and how lucky I am to be marrying a man who gave me such a wonderful gift.”

Helena seemed to deflate, just a little, and Beatrice felt guilty.

Jane was always open and honest about her feelings. How didshe do it?

“Well, I just want you to know that you are not obliged to go through with this wedding,” Helena said firmly. “We can send all of this back and reimburse him for the special license, and have the announcement retracted from theGazette. Nothing is irrevocable, my dear. You always have time to change your mind.”

“What, and marry that delightful candidate Papa was talking about?” Beatrice snorted.

It was a terrible attempt at a joke, and neither of them smiled. Clearing her throat, Beatrice turned her attention back to her reflection.

John’s tuition. Papa’s debts cleared. The light back in Mama’s eyes.

Yes, I think this marriage is a good idea. If I can keep my head, of course.

CHAPTER 12

…and I simply cannot understand why you would not tell me, Stephen! I understand your reservations about sending me an invitation, but really, you have behaved very badly in all of this. And why must our friendship change because of your marriage? Does your little wife object? I wager you have not even told her. In fact, I…

Sighing, Stephen crumpled the letter and tossed it into the fire. The rest of it went on in a similar vein. She was clearly furious, and perhaps he could have handled matters better.

Cornelia never liked hearing the word ‘no’.Still, it is my wedding day, and I suppose if there is any day I can be excused from managing the tempers of others, it is today.

Odd to think that it washis wedding day. The day had crept up, seeming to take forever to arrive but also coming all at once. Stephen would never have admitted to any frisson of nerves, but hewashoping that things would go well.

They would, naturally. Mouse was in charge of the preparations for the wedding breakfast, so doubtless thatwould go without a single hitch. Stephen’s valet had ensured that he was immaculately dressed, and it was Theo’s business to get him to the church and produce the rings.

Really, all Stephen had to do was wake up and sayI dowhen it was appropriate.

He wondered whether his bride-to-be was feeling nervous. Most likely. Ladies always seemed to feel the anxiety of a situation more than gentlemen, in his experience, and people tended to look more critically at a bride than a groom. Still, she would have her mother and Anna to help her, and they would likely be most supportive.

Stephen could not say that he was having the same experience.

“It’s not too late to call it off,” Theodore said, cutting into his thoughts.

“Are you sure Miss Haversham and her family would be pleased with that?” Stephen asked wryly, leaning back in his seat. “I’m not sure it would do the lady’s reputation much good.”

“No, but in the long run, it may be for the best.”

“Because I’m a blackhearted wretch?”

Theodore heaved an exasperated sigh. “Youare, Stephen. You know you are. There is no sense in pretending otherwise. You are my friend, and I love you, but I know your flaws very well. Does Miss Haversham know them?”

Stephen pursed his lips. “I think she might have an inkling.”

“Be serious.”

“I am always serious. Shall I remind you whatyourreasons were for marrying Anna?”

Theodore flushed. “That was different.”

“Was it? How so?”

“I adore Anna with all my heart.”

“And so you do. But my point is that your marriage hardly had a fairytale’s beginning, was it? So, who are you to judge my reasons when yours were so poor?”