She had married William believing she had no chance to marry for love. Harry could not love her now. She had accepted William’s offer of a temporary marriage that would leave her with funds but ruined socially, seeing that as her only chance for a comfortable life.
Now that lie was revealed, had she any incentive to remain as William’s wife and keep to their bargain?
Twenty
William rushed up the front steps of his home. Coming home to Matilda felt so right, and he couldn’t hide his anticipation of seeing her. He was sorry he’d gone out on a fool’s errand and left her behind when they’d had plans to go out together. There had been no summons from Newberry House, indeed his aunt and Evelyn had been away from home and couldn’t have sent any message.
Dawson’s unhappy face greeted him in the entrance hall. “He came.”
William passed off his hat and gloves to the butler. When Carter did not leave immediately, William sent him away. He drew Dawson into his library. “What happened?”
“Your wife met Mr. Lloyd. Somehow he managed to get into the house, past every servant, and arrived upstairs. He was in the drawing room. I warned you the servants needed to be dismissed for their lack of propriety and respect to you both. He must have had someone’s help, because I made it very clear that he was never to come here again the last time I saw him.”
William curled his hands into fists. “So she’s gone off with him.”
“No, she is in the drawing room. But she is weeping again.” Dawson drew closer. “She’s had a shock. The man revealed a little bit more of his nature than she was prepared for.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing happened, but I think he might have forced her had I not intervened.”
“I’ll kill him.” William considered his options. Chasing after Harry Lloyd appealed, but Matilda was upset. He’d see to her first. “Thank you, Dawson. I had better go and meet with my wife.”
He trudged upstairs, more than a little worried about what sort of reception he’d receive today. Sometimes she smiled, sometimes she seemed wary, but after discovering he’d lied to her about Harry Lloyd’s death so there was no impediment to their marriage, he expected any number of greetings. None of them could be good or in his favor.
He stepped into the drawing room, spotting Matilda far down the large chamber, and closed the door behind him to ensure their privacy. Her gaze was pensive as she stared out the nearby window. He drew closer, tense with both anger and apprehension.
She didn’t acknowledge him, so he sat at her side and waited for her to speak.
Her head turned a little toward him. “Dawson told you I had a visitor.”
“He did. I will go after him directly and make Lloyd regret ever coming to see you.”
“You will do nothing.” Her jaw clenched. “Do you understand me? You will never raise your hand against Harry Lloyd.”
“But he has upset you.”
“No, Captain. You have upset me.” She played with the ring on her finger. “Why did you say he was dead?”
“I didn’t.” He winced. “It was you who twisted my words to take on a more permanent meaning.”
“You could have corrected me.” She blinked rapidly, dislodging a tear. “You always correct me.”
“I know he meant something to you, but you deserved better than that scoundrel. He would not have treated you well. He would have used you.”
Her breath caught. “You used me to avoid marrying Miss Chudleigh.”
“You knew I was going to do that.” William stared hard at her face, trying desperately to read her mood. “You agreed, and I’ve never imposed on you. I thought this, we, were becoming more than a business arrangement.”
“Our bargain is based on a lie.”
“Our marriage is not. Have I not kept my promise that I would protect you and never ask for more than you are comfortable with?”
She laughed bitterly as she studied the plain band gracing her left hand. “I accepted you because I could see no other way to escape servitude. I could not see the truth of your character, only the lie that you were a gentleman with somewhat honorable intentions.”
“Lloyd did not have honorable intentions toward you. He fooled at least one other maid into sharing his bed.”
“I never did.”