Chapter 16

The orchestra swelled with a soaring crescendo as the curtain rose on the opening scene of the opera, bathing the stage in a warm, golden glow. Harriet sat rigidly in her seat, her heart hammering a frantic tattoo against her ribs as she tried to focus on the unfolding drama before her.

Beside her, Hugh cut an imposing figure in his impeccably tailored evening wear, his chiseled features a study in inscrutable composure. When Harriet had first emerged from the carriage on his arm, resplendent in her emerald gown, she had glimpsed a flicker of stunned admiration in his eyes before he quickly schooled his expression into one of polite appreciation.

Now, as they sat side by side in the plush velvet seats of the opera box, Harriet could feel the weight of his presence like a physical force, the heat of his body searing her even through the layers of silk and brocade that separated them. She tried to concentrate on the soaring arias and sweeping melodies, but her mind kept drifting back to the momentous decision she had made, the words she knew she must say to him before the night was through.

This was the last day of their courtship week, the final chance to determine if they were truly compatible before taking the irrevocable step of marriage. And though Harriet had wrestled with doubts and uncertainties, and had agonized over the prospect of surrendering her heart to the great unknown, she knew in her bones that she had made the right choice.

She would marry Hugh Wilkinson, would bind her life to his in a partnership of necessity and convenience. But she would do so on her own terms, with her eyes wide open and her heart carefully guarded. She would be his friend, his confidante, his ally...but she would not let herself love him, not fully. That way lay madness and ruin.

As the first act drew to a close, Harriet felt a sudden, overwhelming need for air, for space to clear her head and gather her courage. She rose abruptly from her seat, mumbling an excuse about needing to freshen up before slipping out of the box and into the bustling corridor beyond.

She wandered aimlessly through the opulent halls of the opera house, her skirts swishing softly against the plush carpets as she tried to calm her racing thoughts. She scarcely noticed where her feet carried her until she found herself in a forgotten alcove, tucked away from the main thoroughfare and blessedly quiet.

Sinking onto a low sofa, Harriet buried her face in her hands, fighting to steady her breathing as panic clawed at her throat. What was she doing? How could she possibly go through with this, with pledging herself to a man she scarcely knew, a man who set her every nerve alight with a single glance?

Lost in her spiraling thoughts, she did not hear the approaching footsteps until a familiar voice broke through the haze of her anxiety.

"Harriet? Are ye all right?"

Her head snapped up, her eyes wide and startled as they met Hugh"s concerned gaze. He stood before her, his brow furrowed in worry as he took in her disheveled appearance.

"I"m fine," she managed, her voice thin and reedy to her own ears. "I just needed a moment to myself, that"s all."

Hugh's frown deepened, and he moved to sit beside her on the sofa, his large frame dwarfing the delicate furniture. "You don"t look fine, lass. You look like you"re about to pass out."

Harriet shook her head, trying to summon a reassuring smile, but it fell flat. "Really, it is nothing. I"m just a bit overwhelmed by...everything."

Hugh was silent for a long moment, his eyes searching her face as though trying to read the secrets of her soul. Then, slowly, hesitantly, he reached out and took her hand in his, his calloused palm warm and steady against her trembling fingers.

Harriet stared down at their joined hands, her breath catching in her throat at the unexpected intimacy of the gesture. She had not thought Hugh the type for such tender displays, and had assumed he would maintain a polite distance even as they played the part of a devoted couple.

But here he was, offering her comfort and support in a moment of vulnerability, and she found herself strangely moved by the simple act of kindness.

They sat like that for a long while, the silence stretching between them like a living thing. At last, Hugh cleared his throat, his thumb stroking absently over the back of her hand.

"Did I ever tell ye about the time Abigail ran off in the park when she was just a wee thing?" he asked, his voice low and rumbling in the quiet alcove.

Harriet shook her head, a flicker of curiosity kindling in her heart despite her inner turmoil.

Hugh"s lips quirked in a wry smile, his eyes distant with memory. "She was nay more than five years old, a tiny slip of a lass with more energy than sense. We were out for a stroll on a fine summer"s day, and I turned me back for nay more than a moment to admire a particularly fetchin" lass passing by."

Harriet felt a startled laugh bubble up in her throat at the unexpected confession, and Hugh shot her a mischievous grin.

"What can I say? I was a young buck, easily distracted by a pretty face. But when I turned back around, Abigail was nowhere to be seen. I near had a heart attack, thinking she"d been snatched by some nefarious villain."

He shook his head, his expression turning rueful. "I tore through that park like a madman, shouting her name until I was hoarse. And where do you think I found the little imp?"

Harriet leaned forward, drawn in despite herself. "Where?"

Hugh"s grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Up a tree, bold as brass, grinnin" down at me like a cat with a plate full of cream. She"d decided she wanted a better view of the ducks in the pond, ye see, and had shimmied up the trunk like a little monkey."

Harriet gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter. "Oh, Hugh! The poor matrons passing by must have been scandalized!"

He chuckled, his shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth. "Aye, they were all aflutter, clucking like a bunch of disapprovin" hens. But I dinnae give a fig for their delicate sensibilities. I marched right up to that tree and climbed up after her, determined to coax her down before she broke her fool neck."

Harriet shook her head, a genuine smile tugging at her lips. "And did you succeed?"

Hugh's expression softened, a faraway look entering his eyes. "Eventually. It took a bit of cajolin" and a promise of extra dessert that night, but I managed to convince her that the view was just as good from the ground. She came down willingly enough after that, though not without a bit of grumbling about bossy big brothers."

Harriet laughed outright at that, the sound bright and genuine in the hushed alcove. "She sounds like quite the handful, your Abigail."

Hugh nodded, his smile turning wistful. "Aye, that she is. A proper menace, always gettin" into scrapes and givin" me gray hairs before my time. But she"s also the best thing in my life, the one pure and good thing I will protect with all my heart."

He turned to face Harriet fully, his expression serious once more. "I"d do anythin" for her, Harriet. Anythin" to keep her safe and happy and whole. She"s all I have left in this world, and I"ll be damned if I let any harm come to her."

Harriet"s heart clenched at the raw emotion in his voice, the fierce protectiveness that radiated from every line of his body. At that moment, she saw a different side of Hugh Wilkinson, a glimpse behind the mask of the gruff, unyielding Scot he presented to the world.

Here was a man who loved deeply and completely, who would move heaven and earth for those he held dear. And though she knew it was dangerous, knew she should guard her heart against such weakness, Harriet could not help but be moved by the depth of his devotion.

They lapsed into a companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts as the muffled strains of the orchestra filtered through the walls. At last, Hugh spoke again, his voice gentle and coaxing.

"Me lady... Harriet...I know this whole situation is nae ideal. I know ye have yer doubts and reservations about marryin" me, about tyin" yerself to a man ye scarcely know. And I want ye to know that I understand, that I daenae blame ye for yer hesitation."

He squeezed her hand, his thumb resuming its soothing caress over her knuckles. "But I also want ye to know that ye have nay reason to be so anxious, so afraid of what the future might hold. If, when the time comes, ye decide that ye cannae go through with this, that marryin" me is nae what ye truly want... I will find a way to release ye from the obligation, to weather the scandal on me own."

He flashed her a smile. "And I know that yer brother is adamant on this union - I will make it clear to him that ye have been the perfect lady and that the fault lies only with me."

Harriet"s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat at the quiet sincerity in his words. "Hugh, I... I couldn"t ask you to do that. To sacrifice your own reputation, your own future, for the sake of my selfish desires."

"Ah, my reputation."

Hugh laughed and shook his head. "When I was a wee lad, we moved here from the rollin" hills of Scotland - it was a shock to me system. I never wanted to move, I was more than happy with me life back home. So was me maither and I think me faither too... but there was nothin" we could do. He inherited the dukedom and with it... a responsibility to the duchy."

Harriet frowned, uncertain of what it was that he wanted to tell her with this story.

Hugh flashed her an understanding smile before continuing. "Me faither chose family and when he passed... so did I. A part of me wanted to throw the titles into the wind and go back home. We were never really accepted here - many a noble made it quite clear, in fact, that we were unwanted if anythin'. We were foreigners and it was clear that we would never belong."

Sympathy flashed over her face at his words and Hugh laughed softly.

"Daenae feel sorry for me, lass. I chose family responsibility once and I will always choose it - but the fact is that the reputation of my house doesnae mean much in the ton - it is unlike your family. I know that your brother is a difficult one, but he has a great weight upon his own shoulders. Still - you could recover from this scandal."

Harriet frowned.

"But only at the risk of your reputation. That hardly seems fair - it would not only affect you, but your sister."

"Aye."

Hugh nodded and was silent for a while. When he nodded at last, it was with a pensive smile. "Abby is the reason why I will enter this marriage... but nae if it is nae what you want. I willnae force ye into anything, lassie. Daenae fear me."

There was nothing Harriet could do but smile at him gratefully. Despite his certain words, the frown of consternation between his brows made it clear that he too was worried about the fallout should they not married. She lifted her chin firmly.

"I will marry you, Hugh."

He looked at her, his brows raised in relief and she smiled before repeating her words. "I will marry you... but I do have a condition."