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And at this moment, what I want is Beatrice Haversham.

Not in that way, of course.

He shifted, clearing his throat and plucking at his neatly-tied cravat.

His mother was staring at him, her eyes narrowed. She dropped her gaze to his cravat and sighed heavily.

“Stop fiddling with it, Stephen, it will only come undone and you’ll have to tie it again. Well, I am disappointed to learn that you are not in love at last. I always thought it would be good for you to be in love a little. Nothing shakes up the soul quite so thoroughly.”

He sighed. “If you say so, Mother. Was there anything else? Because—and I hate to say it—I have a wedding to get to. It’s generally bad form to arrive late, but even more frowned upon if the latecomer is the groom.”

Theodosia pouted. “Well, if you insist. Now, can a seat be found in the church and at the wedding breakfast for your poor, old mama?”

He chuckled, leaning forward to kiss his mother on the cheek. “Of course, Mother, of course! I’m so glad you’re here. Really, I should have waited for you to return. I’m sorry I was too impatient. I suppose I was afraid she would change her mind.”

Where had that thought come from?

Theodosia’s expression shifted, surprised and a little sad. She reached up to cup his face, her palms warm against his cheeks.

“Any woman worth her salt would see what a fine catch you are,” she said firmly. “You are handsome, clever, charming…”

“Mother, I hate to tell you this, but you have the highest opinion of me out of the whole ton. I imagine that, while some ladieswouldlike to see themselves as the Duchess of Blackwood, most of the audience today will simply pity poor Miss Haversham.”

Theodosia chuckled. “Well, I would like a proper introduction to Miss Haversham before the day is out, do you hear? I want to meet her properly, and take her measure.”

“And what if you don’t like her? After the wedding, it will be too late.”

Theodosia only smiled to herself, as if she knew something that Stephen did not.

“Do you know, I think Iamgoing to like her. Now, come, let’s get you into that carriage—you cannot be late to your own wedding!”

As anticipated, the church was full. Stephen only recognized half of the guests. Not that it mattered, of course.

The bride was late. Only by a few moments, of course, but enough to make him shift uneasily.

She had better not humiliate me in front of the whole world. She’ll regret it if she does.

Beside him, Theodore nudged his shoulder. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he murmured.

“It’s a little too late if I don’t, don’t you think?”

“I’m just saying. Beatrice is Anna’s friend, and Anna is concerned…”

Stephen’s temper, already frayed, flared a little further. “Perhaps you should tell your wife that her little friend, who she guards like a child, is more than capable of taking care of herself.Morethan capable, let me assure you.”

Before Theodore could respond to this, the doors of the church creaked open, and the whole congregation twisted eagerly.

Anna came first, wearing a plain pink silk gown and clutching a posy of flowers, looking a little preoccupied and not entirely happy. Stephen noticed that she did not meet his eyes.

And then came Beatrice.

Stephen’s chest constricted, and the feeling filled him with absolute horror.

Oh, no. No, no, no.

The dress he had carefully picked out for her lookedperfect. It hugged her curvaceous figure, emphasizing her form, and the pale pink color suited her hair and her skin down to the ground. The dress lookedexpensive, which was exactly what he wanted—a woman could not become a duchess in a gown that made her look like she was wearing a sack, after all—and every eye was trained on her.

The pearls and silver trimming on the dress glittered and shone when she moved, catching the light. The scandalously low neckline—which he had deliberated on—showed an expanse of smooth white skin, simply inviting a caress.