Page 47 of Once a Scoundrel

But he knew one thing for certain. Now that Faith was his, he had no intention ofeverletting her go. No matter what he had to do to ensure that.

*****

When Mary fell into a peaceful sleep, Faith quietly left the room to let her rest and to find Stephen. Last night in his arms, she’d thought that there was still a lot between them to discuss before they could start their new life together. Now a mountain stood between them, and she couldn’t see to the other side.

She saw him and stopped. He stood at the top of the stairs, leaning back against the railing as if waiting for her, his arms folded and his gaze staring thoughtfully at the floor. Dressed in the same clothes he’d worn all the way from London, his hair sleep-mussed and stubble darkening his face, she’d never seen him look so disheveled. Or so breathtaking.

Or so troubled.

When he looked up and his eyes softened on her, she came forward and stepped into his embrace, circling her arms around his waist as his own folded around her and held her close.

“Mary’s going to be just fine,” she told him.

“Thank God,” he murmured, his lips resting against her hair. Then he drew in a deep breath, held it for a moment, then said quietly, “She’s right, you know. Her presence here will only cause problems for us. But I cannot send her away, not without anyone to look after her.”

“No, you cannot,” she agreed so softly that he words were little more than a pained breath.

Her chest squeezed around her heart at the impossiblesituation they’d been forced into. Mary and Jeremy could never be left without protection and care. They were too vulnerable. This illness proved it. Even if he gave her an allowance and moved them to one of his other properties, they would still need someone to help them. What would Mary do if another fever struck her? Or Jeremy? Who would take care of them then?

“She can stay here,” she whispered, despite knowing what it meant for their marriage, how difficult the future would be for them. A man who had spent his life spurning society and the daughter of a duke...Society would simply salivate for the opportunity to make them fall. Yet she didn’t care, not as long as she had Stephen’s love. “What matters is that we’re together. After we marry, everyone will see what a loving marriage we have and—”

“And continue to believe that she’s my mistress,” he heaved out in a frustrated breath. “Worse, that I’m daring to flaunt her in my wife’s face by keeping her here. I would never expose you to that kind of hate-filled gossip.” He took her chin and tilted her face up to look at him. His eyes pinned hers. “And the rumors would only increase because we had to elope.”

She blinked her tear-blurred eyes, not understanding. “Why would we elope?”

“Because Strathmore will never give his blessing for you to marry me as long as she’s here.”

He was right, and the brutality of that truth clawed at her. Papa would never consent to their marriage. But neither would they elope, because she could never defy her father to the point of marrying against his wishes. She wouldneverpit the two men she loved most against each other like that. “Then what can we do?”

He grimly shook his head. “I have to make certain Mary and Jeremy are cared for when they leave Elmhurst. There is no other answer.”

She pressed herself closer, resting her cheek against his chest and attempting to take comfort in the beating of his heart. Strong. Steady. Pounding hard for her. She’d lain next to him last night in his arms, with her head resting on his chest just like this. The soft sound had brought her such comfort, but now, knowing how much could be lost if fate worked against them, each heartbeat only increased her worry.

She whispered, “I want to help you. We’ll find a way out of this.” She slipped her hands down his arms to entwine her fingers in his, their hands tightly clasped. “Together.”

But his words took her breath away. “Not in this, Faith. I won’t ask that of you.”

A terrible fear struck her that she was losing him, even now when she stood in his arms.Her anguish was so barely contained that she trembled when he lifted her hand to caress his cheek.“You told Mary that the woman you wed would be strong. So let me be strong for you.”

He shook his head. “This is my responsibility. I won’t lay this on your shoulders.”

The irony squeezed around her heart. How many times since he’d returned had she’d prayed for proof that Stephen had changed, that he was no longer the scapegrace he’d been? That he could be a man whom she could love with every ounce of her soul and heart? Now she had it, irrefutable evidence that he’d become a kind and responsible man—one who would never abandon Mary and her son when they needed him. One who respected her wishes to do the right thing by them, even at the cost of his own happiness. And sherefusedto let him make that sacrifice.

“Iwantto help you,” she said gently but with a persistence that came from deep in her soul. He was hers now, and she refused to give him up, especially after last night. Especially now that she knew how much he loved her. “So tell me what we can do...How do we fix this?”

He hesitated. Then, drawing in a deep breath, he murmured, “I have an idea, but it’s a long shot.”

Wanting to reassure him, she rose up on tip-toes to kiss him. Only a fleeting touch of their lips, but Faith tasted a world of hope in that kiss. She cupped his face in his hands. “Tell me.”

Even as he shared his plans, she wasn’t at all certain that it would work. But ithadto. Because her future with Stephen hung in the balance.