“It’s because of those bloody cats, isn’t it?”
“Partly.” She lifted her chin. “But mostly it is because we do not have any intention of loving each other. I deserve that, and so do you.”
His mouth pursed as if he had eaten a lemon. “Love?”
“Yes, love. That feeling you have for another. When you cannot stand to be apart. That you will do anything at all to make them happy.” She studied his blank expression, pitying him. “That feeling you have when your mother asks you to go out of your way to fetch her new dress from London, but magnified a thousand times.”
His jaw clenched tightly again, and then he brushed past her to speak with the duke.
Sally let out a shaky breath, glad the first obstacle was over because there would be more difficulties to come. Gossip and mutual friends choosing sides. She would hold her head up because she was doing the right thing for both of them. She could only hope her decision would not affect the reception her cousins faced when they went to London for their season.
She turned around.
The Ellicotts were gone from the drawing room. Only her mother stood at the doorway. “Well, that went better than expected,” Mama murmured. “The Ellicotts are leaving immediately. One can only hope the rest of the family can be as civilized and not make a fuss about the break.”
“Doubtful,” Sally said, realizing her mother was fighting a grin. “Everyone will have an opinion if they do not already.”
An amused smile tugged her mother’s lips. “In case there is any danger you might misunderstand, we prefer Felix to be your husband.”
“Who is ‘we’?”
“Oh, everyone,” Mama waved her hand to encompass the estate. “Even the stable master spoke his piece against Ellicott.”
Sally stamped a foot as strong emotions rose up and tears pricked the back of her eyes. “Did you all conspire to bring Felix back into my life?”
“Well of course. Everyone but Penelope, you know how she detests scandal, agreed to help things along. Do you forgive us? We only want you to be happy. We all felt bad that we hadn’t done enough to heal the breach before this, so your grandfather and I decided to step in before it was too late to save you from misery with Lord Ellicott, not to mention his mother’s plans to spend your dowry on what she wanted.”
She opened her arms wide and enfolded Sally in the second-best comfort in the world. “It almost was. She hung red curtains in my bedchamber.”
“Oh darling, a fate worse than death itself,” her mother said with a laugh, shaking her head in vexation. “A nice mother-in-law should have asked what color you would choose.?
??
Sally clung to her mother a long moment. “Thank you. Thank you for meddling.”
“It was our pleasure.” Her mother cupped her head, holding her tight. “I think you will both be very happy together upon his return. He loves you so much.”
“I hope so.” She sniffed, struggling with her feelings. “I love him too, but I do not know how I will bear another long wait.”
Her mother drew back and passed over a handkerchief. “You will keep busy, and who knows, perhaps the wait will be much shorter than you imagined.”
“The war cannot last forever,” Sally whispered hopefully as a figure inside the drawing room claimed her attention. Aunt Penelope. “Do we have smelling salts nearby?”
“Behind the elephant statue on the mantel. Why?”
“Aunt Pen must have heard the news. She already looks as if she might faint from the scandal of my second failed wedding.”
“We will catch her should she fall,” her mother whispered. “It is what our family is best at.”
“Indeed it is.” Sally smiled and then strode inside to explain.
Chapter Thirty-Three
After being made to cool his heels for five and forty minutes in the secretary’s office, Felix was finally seen by the man best suited to correct a mistake. He took a deep breath as he swept into Admiral Greer’s office with the reluctant Jennings close on his heels. The dark-paneled room was cluttered with more maps and folders than Felix had ever expected. A short man sat behind a large desk, poring over even more papers. “Admiral, thank you for seeing me at such short notice.”
The portly Greer raised weary eyes. “Captain Hastings, what an unexpected honor.” Greer cast a glance behind him. “You! What the devil are you doing here?”
“Admiral Greer.” Jennings nodded, doing his best to appear contrite. Felix had warned Jennings that a certain amount of humility on his part would be needed today if they were to have any success.