MARGERY TOOK a few faltering steps toward Rand, then dropped to her knees at his feet. “We must marry.” She clutched his ankles. “We must.”
A dazed expression on his face, Rand reached for her shoulders and raised her to stand. “There must be another way.”
Unable to believe this turn of events, Lily watched as Margery searched Rand’s eyes, her own green eyes frantic. She gripped his hands in both of hers. “But will you? To save his life? Tell me you will. From my earliest memories, I looked up to you, Rand. You were my big brother who could do no wrong. You won’t let me down, will you? Tell me you’ll marry me to save Bennett’s life.”
Though a muscle in his jaw twitched, he nodded. “I won’t doom another man to die. But there must be another way.”
Tears streaming down her face, Margery hugged him, hard. Then, without another word, she ran from the room.
Lily released a deep, shuddering breath. “Rand—”
“I’ve never seen her this selfish.” His gaze swung from the empty doorway to Lily. “She didn’t for a moment consider how I’d feel about this marriage. Or you.”
“I’d feel the same way if your life were threatened. I’d ask anything of anyone.”
After a moment of thought, he nodded. “I’d do the same for you. But there must be another way for Margery and Bennett. I won’t lose you.”
She walked closer. “A man’s life is at stake.”
“There must be another way.”
It was becoming a litany, one Lily wished she could believe. “Does your father truly wield such power?”
“I’m afraid so.” Rand took her elbow and began walking her toward her chamber. “You must realize that outside of London there is little if any provision for due process of the law. If the Marquess of Hawkridge wishes Bennett dead, he can make it happen. Is it not the same for the little area of the world where your father is the lord?”
Reluctantly she nodded. “I suppose it is. But I’ve never seen him wish anyone dead. Life at Trentingham is generally peaceful.” A peace she hadn’t expected to miss, a peace she’d even equated with boredom at times.
Oh, to live again that blessed, boring peace.
“Life at Hawkridge has never been peaceful,” Rand said ruefully, stopping in front of the Queen’s Bedchamber. “But I hope to take you away from here to where we can live in peace. Soon.”
He opened the door. Inside, a fire was already lit and several candles burned merrily, but the room still seemed an empty void.
“Oh, Rand.” She turned into his arms.
He held her tight for a long, long time before he extricated himself. “Sleep well,” he said softly, then turned and walked away.
Unable to watch him leave, she stepped into the chamber and shut the door behind her. Then leaned back against it, fighting the nausea that threatened when she thought of her happiness slipping away.
Just that morning, she’d stood with Rand by the river, laughing, hugging him, so very glad to learn that Margery was in love with another man. Tonight, he’d said, after all this is settled, I’ll come to you.
In that moment, it had seemed that life would be perfect after all. But now, instead of coming to her, he had walked away.
To go to Margery instead? She thought not. She was far past any insecurities where Rand’s love was concerned.
But he was an honorable man, and she knew, without a doubt, that if it meant saving Bennett’s life, he’d marry Margery instead of her.