CHAPTER 16

THE SUN WAS STILL LOW on the horizon when Thalia and the marquess departed the elegant inn. Despite getting little rest, she felt invigorated as she took Liam's hand to step into the carriage he had hired. At least the rain had stopped, and it promised to be a sunny day.

The journey passed in a blur, the rolling countryside a mere backdrop to Thalia's racing thoughts. Would they find her sister there? Would she be married already? What would they do if their siblings were not there? So many questions...

Liam's hand settled over hers where it rested in her lap.

"Don't fret. I'm sure we will find them soon enough. And if we don't..." Liam shrugged with uncharacteristic nonchalance. "They are adults. I hope to God they know what they are doing."

Upon arrival, they found the rectory bathed in the gentle glow of the morning sun, a picture of serene domesticity. The Rector himself greeted them at the door, his eyebrows rising in curiosity after they performed the introductions and stated their purpose.

"Good morning, Lady Renier, Lord Ashford," he said, his voice warm but questioning. "Lord and Lady Andrew are in the breakfast parlor. If you'd follow me, please."

Lord and Lady Andrew. That could only mean one thing. They were too late.

A quick glance at the marquess's stony face was enough to know he had arrived at the same conclusion.

They accompanied the rector through winding hallways to the dining room, located in the back of the big and modern house. There, her sister and the marquess's brother were having breakfast, looking fresh and happy and the picture of blissful domesticity. The smell of fresh bread and tea filled the air.

"Tally? What are you doing here, love?"

"Liam! This is unexpected."

Her sister and Lord Andrew both spoke simultaneously upon spotting them. The surprise was evident on their faces at the unexpected visit.

"If you didn't expect me to find you, I daresay you don't know me very well, little brother," the marquess replied, his tone brimming with mockery.

"I came looking for you, Mimi." Thalia said with feeling.

The next moment, a cacophony ensued as they all spoke at the same time, attempting to discern the events that had led to the unlikely event of all four of them meeting here this morning.

The rector's voice, trained to carry through to the last pulpit of the church, rose above their chorus. "My lords, may I suggest we retire to my study and leave the ladies to speak in private?"

Taking the not-so-subtle hint, the marquess and his brother mumbled their excuses and followed the rector out the door. Thalia watched their retreating backs, noticing the similarity in height between the brothers. Although Liam was broader. And while Lord Andrew's hair was dark, Liam's was the palest silver.

Her sister's hand closing over hers yanked her attention from the marquess.

"Now, Tally, please tell me how you came to be here. And in the company of Drew's brother, no less."

Thalia sighed. "It's a long story, Mimi."

"Well, fortunately, there's plenty of tea. Come, have a seat. Join me for breakfast and tell me all about it."

After Thalia had finished recounting the events of the last twenty-four hours, leaving out a few details, of course—no need to mention the night of passion in Liam's arms—her sister was shaking her head in amazement.

"I'm sorry that I caused you such concern, dear. But you shouldn't have worried. As you can see, I'm happy. Andrew and I are in love."

"But how could you do something so rash, Artemis? You couldn't have known him long. Before I went to the country, you had not even met him. Or did you know him already and were hiding it from me?" Thalia asked, not doing a good job hiding the hurt her sister's secret caused her. She had thought they were best friends. Able to confide in each other.

"No! Of course not, Tally. I met him after you left."

"But you didn't write to me about him either," she accused.

Her sister looked sheepish. "My plan was to tell you when you returned. I wanted to do it in person. I knew if I told you in a letter, you would fret and wouldn't understand it, perhaps even oppose it."

"You think I would oppose your happiness?" That struck to the heart.

Her sister grabbed her hand. "Not on purpose, my dear. I know you love me and have my best interests at heart. But given your own experience with marriage, and your ideals, I thought you might be...predisposed against the institution."

"With good reason! You know that once a woman marries, she becomes her husband's property. She has fewer rights than a servant. He controls her money, her body. He can dictate her entire life!"

"I know it can be that way in some marriages. But it won't be like that in mine. Drew respects me. Views me as an equal. When he negotiated the marriage settlements with Papa, he insisted I have my own funds. Even contributed to a trust that is completely at my disposal, so that I never feel financially beholden to him. And did you know he is involved with a group advocating for women's rights?"

"I didn't know."

Her sister went on with her impassioned defense of her new husband. "He is. Not only that, he wrote a pamphlet advocating for a woman's right to sue for divorce on the same grounds as the men. I read it a few years back and have admired him in secret since then."

"You've known him that long?"

"Oh, I didn't know him then! He rarely attended the kinds of balls Mama took me to. And on the very few occasions he did, he never noticed me. We met less than a month ago."

"Then how can you be so sure he is the one? I understand he is handsome, and from what you tell me, also a decent man. But, dear, he also has a reputation as a rake..." Thalia trailed off, realizing the futility of speaking against her new brother-in-law.

For better or worse, they were married. There was nothing to be gained by sowing doubts in her sister's mind. But Artemis surprised her yet again by smiling and shaking her head.

"That doesn't worry me. Andrew has promised to be faithful, and I believe him. We love each other. I trust him."

"How can you trust?" It wasn't a rhetorical question. She was genuinely curious to learn how to trust someone in a matter like that.

Her sister's gaze was kind and understanding as she answered. "I guess it's a matter of faith. There are no guarantees in life or love. But I believe in his love and his commitment to stay faithful. Tally, dear, I know you've had an awful experience with marriage. And our work in the charity group hasn't painted a pleasant picture of men and marriage in general. But not all marriages are bad. In fact, you need to look no further than our friends in the group committee, Lady Hartfield, Lady Brentworth, the Duchess of Aycliffe. They are very happy in their marriages, and it is plain to see their husbands adore them."

"That is true. But they are the exception, not the norm. And even they had painful experiences in the past before they found happiness with their husbands."

"But the point is that happiness is possible. It's achievable. And maybe a bit more common than you think. Don't close your heart to the possibility. Especially considering that love may call at your door soon."

"What are you talking about? Love calling at my door, indeed! How preposterous."

"Hmm, I don't know. I sensed a certain affinity between you and the marquess. And if the way he looks at you is any indication, I'd say there's something there for sure."

"You are imagining things," Thalia whispered, but she knew her face was giving her away as the heat climbed up her neck to warm her ears.

Her sister smiled in apparent delight. "I knew it! You sly vixen." Artemis leaned forward with a gleam in her eyes. "Have you shared his bed? Was it good?"

"Artemis!" Thalia choked, outraged at her sister's impudence. "Young lady, that is not a proper subject."

Artemis laughed. "Oh, don't be a stick in the mud, Tally. I'm a married woman now. And you are a widow. Who could fault you if you wanted to...indulge with the marquess? And if he's anything like his brother, you are in for a lot of fun, indeed."

Her ears must be crumbling to cinders right now. That's how hot they were. But she couldn't contain the smug smile of bliss that stretched her lips, just remembering the night. "It was wonderful," she admitted.

Her sister clapped, delighted. "Oh, how splendid! Imagine if you marry the marquess, we would be double sisters!"

"Shh! Don't be silly, Artemis. We are already sisters and will always be. There's no such thing as double sisters. Besides, I'm not going to marry the marquess. I have no desire to get married ever again. Period. No matter how wonderful the...bedsport may be."

"Hmm, we'll see. I think you protest too much."

REVEREND LANGLEY LED Liam and Andrew to a spacious study and departed with the promise to send tea and sandwiches. No sooner had the door closed behind the rector that Liam turned on his brother.

"What the hell were you thinking, Andrew?"

"And a good morning to you too, brother. How are you? It's good to see you again after such a long time," Andrew replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Liam threw him a narrow-eyed glance. "Don't be impudent."

"Me? I was just trying to be civil," Drew said, leaning against the edge of the massive desk and crossing his arms. "I haven't seen you in what? Five years?"

"You could have visited me in Tuscany. I invited you several times," Liam muttered.

"I could have. But I haven't been idle here. With you gone, somebody had to take care of the estates and the family's business interests."

"I suppose. Yet you still found time for amorous pursuits, it seems," Liam retorted with a raised brow.

"You barge in the day after my wedding, and instead of congratulating me, you come close to insulting my wife."

"I meant no insult, and you know it. I just want to know why you didn't tell me about your engagement."

"Precisely to avoid this kind of reaction from you."

"Maybe I wouldn't have reacted this way if I had heard it from you. Instead, I had to find out about it through a scandal rag that described it in the worst possible light. It made it seem as if you had been ambushed."

Drew gave him a sardonic glance. "You know better than to believe the scandal rags, brother. But would you have accepted my betrothal if I had told you I'd fallen in love?"

"Maybe. I don't know. How long have you known this girl?"

"Long enough."

"Grandmama hinted at some intervention in order to force your hand."

Andrew laughed. "Oh, they tried. It wouldn't have worked. But as it turns out, my bride wouldn't countenance trapping a man into marriage either, so she spiked their guns herself."

"How do you know she is not a fortune hunter? Or after the title?"

"Ha! That's rich coming from you, brother, and hypocritical, too, seeing as how you are shacking up with her sister. How do you know the sister is not the fortune hunter? Or after your title? After all, you are the one who holds the title."

"That's preposterous. But we are not talking about me."

"Maybe we should. Since you feel the need to meddle in my life, let me return the favor."

"I'm just trying to look out for you, Andrew! To keep you from making the same mistakes I made."

"I hear you, brother. And I appreciate your concern. You know I've always heeded your advice. But this time is different. I love this woman. And she loves me. Can you accept that and give us your blessing? Or at least hold your judgment until you know her. I believe you will like her."

Liam looked at his brother for the space of a few heartbeats. Something had changed in Andrew. He was so used to seeing him as his younger brother. The scapegrace who needed advice and guidance. But his brother was not a boy any longer, had not been in years, and somehow Liam had failed to notice. And now, maybe because of this girl, Andrew looked mature. Settled. A man ready to take responsibility. Form a family. Have his own household.

"Of course, brother. Have I massively overreacted? I'm sorry for being an overbearing boor. If your bride is anything like her sister, I will indeed like her very much."

He regretted mentioning Thalia as soon as he saw the speculation in Andrew's eyes. "What's going on between you and Lady Renier, brother?"

"That is none of your business."

"As a matter of fact, it is. She is now my sister-in-law. Part of my family. Someone very important to my wife, and therefore to me. I need to know what your intentions are towards her."

Fuck. It only needed this. "Back off, Andrew. She is an adult. An independent widow. She doesn't need your protection."

"Meaning you have no plans to marry her."

"Hell, no. You know where I stand on the subject of marriage."

"Then you are trifling with her. You'll break her heart."

"We have an arrangement that suits us both," Liam replied through gritted teeth.

"Have you thought of the repercussions that will have within the family?" Andrew persisted.

Damn it all to hell. His brother made it seem like he was debauching an innocent.

That's exactly what you did last night. You took her virginity. His conscience prodded him.

"If you don't intend to marry her, leave her alone."

"No!" The thought of marriage made him break out in a cold sweat, but leaving her was also unbearable.

"No to marrying her, or no to leaving her alone?" Andrew prodded.

Damnation. He had come here to rescue his brother and had ended up being interrogated by him.

"No, to both. And that's the end of this discussion."

"As you wish. But for what it's worth, I think you should marry her. Judging by the possessiveness you are displaying, you are already halfway in love with this woman."

"Don't be ridiculous. I've known her for only a day."

"Sometimes that's all it takes. It's time to leave the past behind, brother. Seize happiness. That's all I wish for you."

Leave the past behind. If only he could.