“In America?” Leath asked sarcastically.
“If necessary.” Harry ran his hand through his black Thorne hair and met Leath’s eyes with commendable steadiness. “You have every right to want to kill me. I acted badly. Your sister’s honor is as precious to me as it is to you, my lord. I’m unworthy of her. We both know that. But I love her more than my life and I’ll do my best to make her happy.”
“That means nothing.” Leath rose, formidable in the cramped room.
Harry didn’t back down. “It means the world.”
Pen, who despite her fondness had always thought Harry a bit shallow, was impressed. She suspected that Sophie and Harry together were more than a match for the marquess.
Sophie took Harry’s hand. “James, I don’t want to marry Lord Desborough.”
Pen’s pain receded by inches. She realized that she clung weakly to Cam when he didn’t want a bar of her. She straightened away from him, anguished at how easily he let her go. She struggled to steady her voice. “My lord, surely if you love your sister, you won’t force her into an uncongenial marriage.”
Leath frowned more in puzzlement than anger. “Sophie, of course I want you to be happy. But you never said you disliked Desborough.”
“I don’t dislike Desborough.” Sophie’s jaw firmed with stubbornness. “But I told you I loved Harry.”
“I thought it was only a passing fancy for a handsome fribble. I was trying to save you from hurt.” Leath looked devastated. After Harry’s tales of star-crossed love, Leath’s unselfish devotion to his sister still surprised Pen. “I wanted you to marry a man who could give you everything you deserve, who would love you faithfully, and protect you, and treat you like a queen.”
“I’m that man, my lord,” Harry said staunchly.
“Leath,” Cam said quietly before the other man could deliver a blistering setdown about Harry’s ham-fisted attempts to “protect” Sophie.
Leath faced Cam and for the first time, his eyes didn’t flare with hatred. “This is a blasted mess.”
“I agree.” Cam’s voice remained calm. Thank goodness, his temper had subsided. Pen couldn’t bear to think of him risking his life in a duel. Especially over something that was the result of her impetuosity. “And don’t forget that the whole world knows our business.”
Guilt made Pen cringe. In Ramsgate, she’d foretold that if she married Cam, the result would be scandal and disgrace. There was no satisfaction in being proven right.
Sophie gasped softly. “How—”
Leath shot her a stern look. “You’ve been publicly ruined, my girl.” Dislike stirred as he focused on Harry. “Thanks to this oaf.”
Before the argument resumed, Cam spoke. “We need to scotch the scandal as best we can.”
“Go on,” Leath said warily.
Cam rose and very gently helped Pen up. “Can you stand?”
The pathetic creature who would sell her soul to stay in Cam’s arms begged her to say no. The realist, her guide since she’d recognized that she’d yearn in vain after Camden Rothermere, told her to grow up. “Yes.”
“How are you feeling?”
Like someone hit me with a rock. But her heart hurt worse than her head. “I’m fine.”
Cam’s expression was skeptical. Gratefully, she felt his hand curl around her waist, keeping her upright. With more of that heartbreaking gentleness, he led her across to sit on the bed. He released her and she assumed he meant to leave her alone. But his hand settled on her shoulder in silent support as he stood by her side.
Leath’s expression was stark with remorse as he looked at her. “Your Grace, an apology doesn’t come near to making up for what I did.”
Pen mustered a shaky smile. “Then help Harry and Sophie.”
Cam turned to Leath. “Arrange a quick, quiet wedding. Make a show of accepting Harry. Get your cronies to rally around the newlyweds. Given my part in this, I’m willing to offer the match what countenance I can. I’m sure the Harmsworths and the Hillbrooks will help.”
“But the scandal—”
A flash of Cam’s wry smile. “I’ve lived with scandal all my life. You, my lord, are a mere amateur. It’s too late to silence gossip, but a good face on proceedings will help.”
“So best behavior all round. That includes not shooting each other.” Pen glanced toward Harry and Sophie. “Or sailing to America.”