Page 27 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal

“No.” Devonshire slashed a hand through the air. “No. I’m telling you this because I think it’s important for you to hear. You, specifically. Though the lady didn’t appear to be there under duress, neither did she exhibit any…action, for lack of a better term. She was standing there, her hands down at her sides. She wasn’t fighting him or struggling to get away, but she wasn’t moving closer, either.”

James thought he might be sick upon the carpet. Though Devonshire’s words were meant to comfort him in some way, they were having the opposite effect. They brought forth an image of Candace and Shelbourne in a moonlit garden, and though Devonshire claimed it wasn’t so, the imaginary Candace clung to Shelbourne’s frame desperately, her hands roaming over his waistcoat...

James clenched his eyes shut and shook his head viciously to rid his mind of the image. Devonshire ignored him; James was grateful.

“When I made my presence known to them, she was shocked. It was as if she hadn’t contemplated possible repercussions from their actions. When I suggested marriage as a solution to this issue, I couldn’t rightly say who was more surprised and horrified—Candace or Shelbourne. She recovered more quickly than he did, resigning herself to the fact that marriage was the only option in such a scenario, in order to avoid scandal.”

Devonshire paused, shook his head. “I should never have suggested it. I should have punched Shelbourne in the face, told her to stay away from him, and left it at that. I swear, in some ways, my marriage has made me soft.”

“Are you saying your wife made you react the way you did?”

“Not at all. When I told her what I’d done, I thought I would be the one sporting a blackened eye. She was furious, and rightly so. Societal decency should not be used to entrap innocent young ladies into marriages with cads who lead them out into the gardens.”

There, they agreed. James took a deep breath and tried to absorb this information. Would he have done any differently if he’d come across the scene? Undoubtedly, if he’d happened across Candace and Shelbourne, Shelbourne would have been lucky to leave the gardens alive.

But would he have done anything differently if he came across another young miss in a garden in the embrace of a man? That he couldn’t answer.

Finally, he took a deep breath. “I understand why you acted as you did. In your situation, I might have done the same.”

“I thank you for the sentiment, but until her situation is pleasantly settled, I fear I’ll never forgive myself. The idea that I stole a happy future from Lady Candace has kept me up many nights this past year.”

“It’s for the best that the match was dissolved.”

“Agreed, but now I’m concerned about what comes next.” Devonshire handed the letter over to Canterbury.

James shook it out and began reading.

Dear Percy,

I’ve no doubt by the time you read this, I’ll have sent multiple letters, but I feel obliged to send this one as well. I’ve broken my engagement with Shelbourne, who was an absolute villain, and I’ve absconded to your estate in Devon.

Don’t worry; I haven’t gone alone. Hortense is bringing her iron-handled umbrella, and we’re travelling with several of the largest footmen. I will be quite safe and plan on staying indefinitely.

You may come visit me upon your return.

Your Affectionate Sister,

Candace

PS. I don’t regret breaking the engagement, but I do heartily regret any damage that comes to our family name because of it. I sincerely hope you can forgive me.

James winced at the last two lines of the letter. They were hastily scrawled; the pen had pressed deeply, as if with great emotion.

He cast about for something to say while he recovered from Candace’s words. “Was the engagement in writing?”

Devonshire shook his head. “His word was enough assurance to all involved.”

“All for the better. It’s not my understanding that the lady wishes to sue.”

“Of course not. She has her own fortune, her brother’s protection. She’s hardly left destitute by the dissolution of such a match. And she very well may wish to enter into an arrangement of marriage with a different gentleman altogether.”

Devonshire’s eyes were shrewd on James’s face as he said the last. The man obviously suspected James wished to be the happy second party in such an agreement; James had always thought Devonshire too smart for his own good.

“I doubt her mind has travelled down that road of possibility,” James said carefully. “There will be a long period of grief before she even thinks of such things, I’m sure.”

“Very well put. Let us also not forget that it will take a very specific kind of gentleman to overlook her previous engagement. Like it or not, in the eyes of many, she will be tarnished.”

James bristled. “Society may say what it likes. Anyone familiar with the matter knows that the couple only met once after their engagement, and that was to attend the very public event of your wedding.”