The Convenient Felstone Marriage (Whitby Weddings 1)

‘I’m not sure, but you know he always liked her. He wanted to marry her before you came along, but I thought he was over it. There was just something odd about his expression when I told him, menacing almost, as if he intends to use it against her.’

Robert’s brows knit together darkly. Blackmail? That sounded like something the Baronet might stoop to. As for what he’d want in return...

‘When was this?’ He spun on his heel, starting up the hill with a sudden burst of energy.

‘I say, wait for me!’ Percy trotted alongside. ‘It was two nights ago. I went back to his house the next morning, to ask him not to say anything, but they said he’d already left for Bournemouth. That’s when I really started to worry.’

‘So why didn’t you come straight away?’ Robert threw him a savage look.

‘I had to go to work. Then I had to practically beg them to let me go today. They’re none too pleased with me, I can tell you.’

‘I know the feeling.’

Percy flushed. ‘So what are you going to do?’

‘With Lester? If he touches so much as a hair on her head, I’m going to throw him into the harbour personally.’

‘Not with him. With Ianthe?’

Robert didn’t answer. What was he going to do with her, the woman who’d kept not just a secret, but a whole scandal hidden away from him, one that would destroy both their reputations if it ever got out, not to mention his plans for the shipyard? The woman who’d had the nerve to say that he wasn’t worthy of her love?

No. His step faltered momentarily, memories of that morning piercing the fog of his consciousness. She hadn’t said anything like that at all. He’d simply assumed the worst for himself. She hadn’t given him any convincing reason for her change of behaviour. She’d actually seemed more concerned about the dinner party than anything else, adamant that it go ahead, as if buying Harper’s shipyard meant more to her than it did to him. She’d said something about fulfilling her side of the bargain, too—words that had struck him as odd at the time—as if she’d been afraid of letting him down. As if she’d felt...guilty?

‘It’s not really so bad when you think about it.’ Percy sounded anxious. ‘It’s true that she eloped, but she never shared a room with the man or anything like that.’

‘Do you think people care about those sort of technicalities?’ He threw him a scathing look. The thought of her sharing anything more than a handshake with another man wasn’t something he wanted to think about.

‘No...I suppose not, but it was really my fault as much as hers.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I pushed her away. After our parents died, it was just so much responsibility all at once. I didn’t want to deal with it. I made her feel unwanted, I suppose. I knew she was lonely in Bournemouth, but I didn’t do anything to help. It’s no wonder she ran off with the first man who came along.’

Robert felt a fresh stab of jealousy. ‘That doesn’t explain why she didn’t tell me.’

‘Maybe she thought there was no need. It was all hushed up, after all. I’m the only one who blabbed.’

‘Quite.’

‘Look...’ Percy sighed ‘...I don’t know why she didn’t tell you, but I know she was a different person after Bournemouth. When she went there she was in mourning, but she was still my sister. When she came back she was someone else, like she’d turned to stone or something. She was so full of life before, always loving and laughing and happy.’

Robert felt his stomach clench. That sounded more like her—the elusive woman behind the respectable façade, the one he’d caught fleeting glimpses of over the past few weeks. He felt a surge of relief, as if a weight had been lifted. If that was the real Ianthe then perhaps there was a chance for them after all. That was the woman he wanted, the woman who’d gone to bed with him, not the one who’d pushed him away, the woman with a scandalous past and the ability to destroy everything he’d built in less than a day—the woman he loved despite any of it.

‘Come on!’ He seized Percy’s arm, breaking into a run. ‘It’ll be quicker if we go in the back way.’

* * *

‘Mr Harper.’ Ianthe fixed a smile to her face as she entered the small parlour, trying her best not to show that her world was tumbling down around her ears.

‘Mrs Felstone.’ Mr Harper looked distinctly unimpressed. ‘I was starting to think that you and your husband had forgotten us. Where is he?’

‘I’m afraid he’s been delayed at the yard. After the storm and shipwreck last night he had a lot of work to do there today, but I’m sure he’ll be here as soon as possible.’ At least she hoped so...

‘I’m hungry. If he wasn’t going to be on time then he should have cancelled.’

‘Oh.’ She blinked in surprise. Somehow she’d assumed that saving the lives of twelve men might have been a reasonable excuse for tardiness. ‘In that case, shall we start without him? I’m sure he won’t mind as long as you don’t object to my company? And the Lovedays will be here any moment.’

‘Of course we don’t object,’ Violet interjected hastily. ‘Everyone’s been talking about the rescue last night and how brave he was, but you went with the lifeboat, too, I understand?’