THE MARQUESS failed to appear for supper that evening, claiming a backlog of work due to Alban’s demise. He took a tray in his study instead.
But later that night, when Rand, Lily, and Margery were passing the hours in the north drawing room, Lily playing gentle tunes while Rand and Margery sat nearby and puzzled over what could be done, the marquess appeared in the doorway. Lily’s fingers stilled on the keys, leaving an expectant silence.
“No matter what you believe,” the marquess said, addressing himself to Margery, “I have raised you like my own daughter and care for you as though you were. Your pleas haven’t fallen on entirely deaf ears.”
Rand saw Margery’s heart leap into her eyes and felt his own heart leap as well. “Yes?” he asked when she appeared unable to speak.
The marquess swung his cold gray gaze on him. “I have a plan to spare her lover’s life.”
“Thank heavens,” Margery breathed.
“Thank me,” the man snapped. “The truth is I know better than to make this offer. You should be thankful I have a soft heart.”
Rand bit back a retort. The marquess had claimed he cared for her as a daughter. For Margery’s sake, Rand hoped the man believed a daughter should be better treated than a son.
She rose, her black skirts trembling as she slowly approached the doorway. “What is your plan, Uncle William?”
The marquess straightened. “On your twenty-first birthday, one week hence, you will wed my son.”
“Oh, no—”
“Oh, yes. Should the two of you fail to marry, your lover will hang. Should the wedding take place, I shall see that he is granted a commutation of sentence and transported to the colonies instead.” He paused, drawing breath. “May God forgive me my weakness,” he said to no one in particular, then turned and strode from the chamber.
As one, the three of them released their breaths.
“This is unconscionable,” Rand gritted out.
Margery’s face was even paler than usual. A pure, bloodless white. “We must marry,” she whispered, casting an apologetic glance to Lily. She focused back on Rand. “We must marry to save Bennett’s life.”