Harry appeared unimpressed. “What he wants doesn’t matter anymore. There’s a whole world waiting for us outside these walls. You’ll see. You’ll love the adventure of never knowing what will happen next as much as I do.”
Matilda couldn’t continue without confessing the very big change that had occurred in the past weeks. She twisted her wedding band around her finger. “I can’t leave with you.”
Harry patted his pockets and searched until he held a dull metal band out to her in triumph. “Cost me a penny we couldn’t afford to lose, but here’s the ring you said you needed. Now come and give the man you love the kiss he’s been waiting for.”
Her heart lurched, but she somehow found her voice. “Captain Ford has been ashore for over three months, recovering from an injury.”
“So? He’ll be gone again soon.” Harry shrugged, pausing to admire the ring in his fingers. A ring that looked a great deal less valuable than the gold band gracing her left hand. “What difference does it make? I have it all planned out. A night at the theatre and then the stage for Southampton and beyond.”
The past months had made all the difference in the world to Matilda’s heart. She took a step back. “I cannot go anywhere with you.”
Harry continued without listening. “I’ve gone into partnership with a fellow who runs a tavern down there. Very classy, mind. None of that watered-down ale in our establishment, I promise you that.”
“I am pleased for you.” She heard footsteps behind her, echoing up the main staircase, and froze. Someone was coming. She trembled that it might be William. “You have to leave. Now,” she whispered.
Instead of leaving, Harry merely slipped behind the door and held a finger to his lips.
Matilda faced the doorway. Thankfully it was Dawson.
“Is everything all right, madam?”
She ignored Harry’s widened eyes at the way she was addressed by the valet. “Everything is fine, Mr. Dawson.”
Dawson appeared unconvinced as he shuffled his feet. He frowned and glanced around. “I thought I heard another voice with you.”
“No,” she promised him.
Dawson had paused just at the doorway. If he took three steps more into the room, he would discover Harry’s hiding place behind the door. He could not be allowed to find Harry. “The servants are all downstairs, I believe, if you are looking for one of them.”
“Thank you.” He bit his lip a moment. “Is Captain Ford returning soon?”
“I hope so.” William had quite a bit of explaining to do. “Thank you, Dawson.”
Dawson retreated, and Harry stretched out his hand to the door and pushed it slowly shut. “Madam?”
“Yes, I am married now.”
Harry’s brows shot up. “To who?”
“To Captain Ford.”
“To that stuck-up piece of board?” He started to laugh. “That’s a fine jest.”
“It is no jest. I am married to him.”
Harry’s face shifted into anger. “Well, well, well. I guess mine wasn’t ever going to be the right ring on your finger. Did you make him promise to marry you before you’d allow him a kiss, too?”
“It didn’t happen like that.”
“What was it then?” he ground out. “He felt compelled to make an honest woman of you on a whim? There had to have been something between you.”
She blushed. William had married her for his own reasons. “I will not explain my marriage.”
Harry’s expression turned to disgust. “You don’t have to. I can see your plan plain as day. You were always too interested in him, making sure you followed his orders to the letter, all with a plan to force him to marry you. Clever girl.”
That stung. It was what everyone assumed had happened. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I never set out to become his wife.”
“I thought you were different, but you’re just the same as all the others. You’d suffer that man’s company in bed, produce a brat every other year, and play the part of an adoring wife just so you can have at his money.” He grabbed her hand and glanced at the plain gold band on her ring finger. “You should have demanded better than that, sweetheart,” he said, sarcasm dripping from his lips. “Next time make sure it sparkles with sapphires or rubies.”