Stunned by the sight of Letty when he’d had no reason to expect her, Matt didn’t react until the weight of her body hit his. Her arms banded around him, tightening their hold.

The heady scent of her perfume swirled around him, reminding him of her most intimate places. Her curves melded against him. How many times during their illicit meetings had she run at him in exactly this manner? His arms naturally wrapped around her—but in his defense, his common sense was shouting, Damn .

Letty kissed his neck and chin. Matt had the presence of mind to lean back, both to avoid her and to close the door behind him.

“You haven’t forgotten me,” Letty whispered fervently between her kisses. “You haven’t .”

He attempted to release her hold of him. She wasn’t cooperating. Her body, which had always understood his far better than he did, rubbed intimately against him while her lips went for his mouth.

He tried to tell her to leave off, but the words caught in his throat and came out in a groan of frustration . . . which sounded very much like pleasure.

Her breasts pressed against his shirt. Even through the layers of clothes, he could feel her hard nipples, smell the readiness of her . . . He remembered so much about her—

And then he thought of Willa.

Willa, who was spun gold to Letty’s dross. If his wife caught him here—

Matt pushed Letty away. He held her at arm’s distance. Her lush pink lips puckered and made silly fish noises as she begged for his kiss.

Dear God . Had he once found this exciting?

Matt let go and stepped away, moving around the edge of the room.

Letty gave her head a shake, her blond curls bouncing, as if she had just realized he was not holding her. She whirled to face him, her brows coming together in a frown. “You are angry with me.”

“Angry? No. Wary. You are the one who informed me I was unnecessary.”

Her stance softened. She raised a hand to her head as if confused and said, “I know, I know, I know.” There was something that appeared to be sincere regret in her large, green eyes as she confessed, “I wronged you. I should never have let you go. It was cowardly of me.” She took a step toward him. “My husband came very close to finding out about us, and I needed to separate myself from you. I believed I was saving you from Bainhurst’s wrath. I know I didn’t handle the matter well. I was unkind.” She came another step closer, her hands held out in the pose of supplicant. “Letting you go was huge mistake. Matt, I think about you every waking hour. I dream of you.”

Even as little as a week ago, those would have been blessed words to Matt’s ears. He’d wanted a declaration from her. He’d certainly made many to her.

In the close space of this room, he realized she had been nothing more than his Achilles’ heel. He’d been floundering with the responsibilities of the title and overwhelmed by a failing estate. Letty had made him feel worth something—and Hardesty had known Matt’s weakness. Why else would have he have a sent a note guiding Matt to her? Hardesty might have even orchestrated the whole affair with Letty.

The thought caught Matt off guard, and yet, there was evidence of the possibility.

When he and Letty had parted company at his grandmother’s country party, Letty had shown no remorse. She’d been coldhearted and had behaved almost as if she couldn’t wait to be away from Matt.

Furthermore, their romantic trysts had begun almost immediately after they met. Letty had been the seducer. She’d said things that had stirred what Willa had called Matt’s need to be the rescuer.

What better accomplice could a blackmailer have chosen?

“Matt?” Letty was a step away from him.

He grabbed her by her arms, holding her at bay. “What do you know of Hardesty?” he demanded. He was glad his voice was steady. “Why are you here and not him?”

“Hardesty?” She frowned. “I don’t know anyone named Hardesty.”

“Perhaps your husband does?”

“He might. He knows many people. Matt, why are you asking me about this man? And why are you looking at me as if I am guilty of something?”

“Why are you here ?” he responded.

That set her back.

She took a step back, yanking her arms away from him. She reached into the bodice of her gown and pulled out a note. “I’m here because you requested this meeting.”

“Let me see that.” Matt unfolded the note. It was written on the same kind of paper as the one he had received. The handwriting was nothing like his own, except that Letty would not have known. Matt had never written to her. Notes could have been found by her husband.

“This is not from me,” he said. “When did you receive it?”

Letty rubbed her arms where he’d held her as if he’d hurt her. He hadn’t. “Shortly before I left for dinner with friends this evening. Say, half past seven. Perhaps even eight. You didn’t send it?” She didn’t quite believe him.

“Letty, I didn’t know you were in town.”

Her frown deepened. “I was bored of the country and returned several days ago. Your wedding day, in fact.” She made a face as if she’d known and was unapologetic that it was perhaps more than just happenstance. That maybe he should be flattered?

“And, since I was in town,” she continued, “I knew I must attend my good friend Diana’s ball.” Diana was Lady Evanston. “I confess, I had heard rumors that you were happy with your little wife. I’d begun to fear you have forgotten me, until that note.”

Was Hardesty watching all of them?

It did not seem possible. How could any stranger be that close to all of them—unless Hardesty was not the man’s true name?

“Does your husband know about us?” Bainhurst was a powerful lord. They said he brokered in secrets. And yet, for all the people who knew about Matt and Letty, Bainhurst had supposedly never known. That didn’t make sense.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. The man is maddening. He seems to enjoy being jealous. What is this about, Matt? If you didn’t send that note, who is it from?”

It was on the tip of his tongue to answer what little he knew, and then he remembered Letty was not his friend. He could not count on her. It had been a hard lesson.

“I don’t know,” he answered. “That is the puzzle.”

Her lower lip curled into a childish pout. “In truth, my only question is about us. I don’t care who sent the note. I was happy to receive it. However, I sense you’ve had a change of heart even though you had promised to love me even when I couldn’t believe in us.”

Dear God, he could spout some drivel. “Letty, there can be nothing between us. I’m married.” There, he’d said it—and he felt rather noble.

“Are you saying you wouldn’t have married if I hadn’t set you free?” Her pout turned into a sly smile as if he’d put forth a challenge. “There was something between us just a moment ago.” She took a step in his direction. “Besides, after everything is said and done, you did come here for me.”

“No, I came to see a man named Hardesty—” He stopped, struck by a new idea. “Or he could be a woman. I have no description of the actual person.”

“You are saying your Hardesty could be me?” She laughed.

He didn’t.

Her laughter stopped “You can’t be serious?” She shook her head. “Matt, who is this Hardesty to you?”

“Someone I was hoping to meet.” He still held her note in his hand. “I’m keeping this.”

“Of course.” She slid her hand into her bodice over her left breast and flipped the thin material over to reveal her breast, sliding her hand beneath it. “In fact, you can have whatever you want from me.”

This was a dangerously compromising position. “Letty, I’m leaving.”

She moved to place herself between Matt and the doorway. “You will have to go by me first.” She smiled her confidence in her power over him, and it made him angry. She’d played with his heart, she’d caused him to doubt himself, and now she wanted him to believe that her feelings were true?

“Out of the way, Letty.” He moved forward. He’d walk over her if necessary.

She wasn’t going to let him go. She reached for him, grabbing his coat. “Matt, please. I don’t know this Hardesty. But I want a second chance.” She dug in her heels as if daring him to drag her. He turned, trying to escape. Her hand went for his neck as if to catch and hold him. “I was trying to protect you, Matt. Bainhurst can be vicious when he’s crossed. Don’t hold my love for you against me—”

The door opened. Light from the hall spilled into the room. Willa stood framed in the doorway.

The three of them froze. “I—I didn’t knock, did I?” Willa said, and then answered her question, “No, I did not.”

Without another word, she turned on her heel and left.

Matt swore and went after her. Letty tried to catch his arm, but he shook her off. He didn’t bother being gentle.

Out in the hall, Willa moved at a furious pace, her skirts swaying. He didn’t know why she tried to run. His one step could easily overtake her three. He caught up with her before she reached the adjoining hallway.

“It is not what you think,” he said.

She stopped so abruptly, he took a step past her. “It doesn’t matter what I think.” Her voice was tight. “It is what I saw .” She neatly stepped around him and would have charged off, but he hooked his hand in her arm.

“You must listen. Letty means nothing to me. Nothing .”

But his words didn’t mollify her. Her eyes alive with anger, she said in a furious whisper, “Don’t play these games with me. I’ve spent a lifetime listening to my father lie to the people closest to him about his meetings with women who were not his wife—”

“Willa, you have it wrong. I was not having a tryst with Lady Bainhurst.” He kept his voice low. He was aware there were those who could overhear. “Hardesty—” he started to explain, but she was not in the mood to listen.

“My father’s current mistress is younger than I. I caught them out shopping several weeks ago. He told me that it wasn’t what it seemed, because he dotes on his image but he has no substance. And I remembered all the times he’d tell my mother that she was making up her suspicions, that she was being possessive.” She straightened her shoulders. In that moment, she could have been as tall as Matt. “I have seen what he has done to my mother and I will not live that life . I want more .”

“I am prepared to give you more,” Matt said, suddenly realizing what was truly behind Willa’s desire to jilt him. Her caution. Her doubts about him. He’d made a cake of himself over Letty. In Willa’s shoes, he would have been careful. “You can trust me.”

She shook her head. “If I’d caught you with anyone but Letty Bainhurst, it might not hurt so much. But I’d started to believe you, Your Grace. I’d fallen in—”

Willa broke, not finishing the thought. “I have to leave.” Her voice was charged with tears.

He grabbed her arm. “You’ve fallen into what?” he demanded. “What were you going to say?”

“It doesn’t matter, Matt. None of this matters because I won’t let myself fall in love with you. Ever.” She slipped under his arm and out of his hold. She practically ran from him.

Matt felt gutted.

Willa had loved him? Even though he wasn’t the perfect lover, she’d started to fall in love with him.

And he loved her. He didn’t even know why he’d entertained doubts. No woman had captured his imagination the way Willa had. He was a better man with her than he’d ever been at any time in his life.

“What a ninny,” Letty’s voice drawled behind him. “I can’t believe she would carry on because we were together. You might be better off without her.”

“I’ll be damned before I touch you again.” Matt began walking after Willa. He would talk to her. He’d find someplace quiet and he’d use reason. He’d confess to his growing feeling for her. He could not let someone as good as she was slip through his fingers.

He would win her back.

Willa wished she had never married Matt. Or let down her guard.

Men seemed to come in only one mold. Her instincts had been right about him.

Well, he had her fortune, but he didn’t have her.

But where would she go?

And that was when she noticed her mother coming out of the card room and into the ballroom. She walked up to her. “I wish to go home,” Willa said.

Her mother blinked at the lack of preamble or greeting. “Where is your husband?”

“I don’t know,” Willa lied. “However, I have taken ill.” That was a truth. She didn’t know what would happen if she stayed at this event much longer.

And then she caught sight of Camberly coming around the corner. She wrapped her arm around her mother’s and steered her toward the ballroom. “Please, Mother, take me home.”

With concerned eyes, her mother placed her hand over Willa’s. Willa wanted to scream at her to go . Instead, her mother asked quietly, “What is it?”

“I married a man like Father.” Did she understand? Out of consideration for her mother’s feelings, Willa had never openly expressed herself.

Camberly came up behind them. “Willa—”

“My daughter is not feeling well, Your Grace,” her mother said with surprising strength. “I’m certain you understand.” She didn’t wait for his response but took Willa’s arm and guided her into the ballroom and toward the front hallway and the door. Willa kept her head down, not wanting to see him , or anyone.

Camberly trailed after them. “I shall see her home.”

Her mother stopped, turned to him. “Please , Your Grace.”

For a second, he appeared helpless. “I need to explain.”

“Tomorrow ,” her mother said.

Willa sensed his struggle with her mother’s edict, and then in a hollow voice, he said, “Shall I see that your coach is brought around?”

“That would be kind. Thank you.”

When there was no further comment, Willa asked, afraid to look around, “Is he gone?”

“He has left,” her mother said.

Willa straightened. “I take it Father is not here.”

“I have not seen him.” Her mother sounded very tired.

As they made their way to the door, their hostess, Lady Evanston, caught up with them. “I’m so sorry to hear Her Grace is not feeling well.”

“It is unfortunate, my lady,” her mother said. “However, we’ve enjoyed this evening. Your decorations are truly amazing. Everyone will be talking about this ball for years to come.”

“Yes, I’m rather proud of myself. Is your husband here, Mrs. Reverly? Does he know you are leaving?”

“He is here . . . somewhere,” Willa’s mother answered. “I have not had the opportunity to tell him of my plans. Will you do so when you see him? I will send the coach back for him.”

“Of course,” Her Ladyship said. “Please, Your Grace, let us know how you are faring on the morrow. Can you believe Camberly? He is beside himself with worry.”

“Such a gentleman,” her mother agreed. In a low under voice to Willa, she said, “Just a few more steps and we can be free.”

Willa trusted her mother to guide her.

In the main hall, the duke waited for them by the door. “Your coach is here.” He walked out the door with them. “May I see you at home?” he asked Willa.

Her response was to turn her face even more into her mother’s shoulder.

“How generous of you, Your Grace. However, I believe it best we quarantine my daughter. You do understand?”

There was a long pause. Willa struggled with a strong desire to speak for herself. To hurl words at him.

He answered, “Very well. I will do as my wife wishes.”

And then Willa was angry that he hadn’t protested, that he’d been so agreeable.

But she kept silent. She wasn’t about to spare him so much as a glance. He was free now to pursue Letty all night or any of the other ladies who had been eyeing him this evening.

As they were leaving the house, Willa overheard one woman whisper to another about what a gentleman the duke was for the way he was concerned about his wife. “So kind. So caring.”

“How fortunate for her,” was the answer.

Willa practically ran down the Evanston steps. She climbed inside her family’s coach.

Her mother paused to tell their driver, Lloyd, to drive until she gave the word where she wished to go next.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She joined Willa in the coach and he shut the door.

“I’m destroyed—” Willa started, but her mother shut her off with one raised finger.

She leaned out the window and waved at Lady Collins and several of her other friends who had gathered on the step with Lady Evanston. They waved back, and then put their heads together to gossip.

Her mother sat back. “Voices carry in the night. ‘Overheard’ gossip is the best sort.”

“Perhaps we need new friends. And new husbands.”

Cool gray eyes surveyed her as if she was an obstinate child. “What happened?”

“I found him with Letty Bainhurst.”

Her mother sighed her relief.

“You act almost happy with the news,” Willa said with reproach.

“I knew the whispers about his uncle and, well, one never knows.”

“His uncle? The one who died? What are you talking about?”

“Let us say, his uncle William was not fond of women.”

Willa frowned and then started when she realized what her mother was implying. “But that is not Matt. Not him at all.”

“Good,” her mother answered, and then she shrugged, “Catching the duke with Letty is not such a big matter.”

“It is to me.”

“Men will be who they are.” She spoke as if by rote. “Even if he had been of the same mind as his uncle, I would say what I am about to say—Willa, you will return to your husband. We will drive around a bit and then I will take you to his home.”

“You might as well take me there now,” Willa answered. “I can see you are not going to understand.”

“I can see that my daughter is hopelessly naïve.”

“Because I believe marriage vows are to be honored,” she flashed back. “He said he would be faithful. And I am not like you.”

There was a long beat of silence between them, and then her mother asked coolly, “What does that mean?”

For a moment, Willa wished she hadn’t broached the subject, and then she said, “I can’t pretend to be happy, that all is well . . . when it isn’t.”

“You are in love ,” her mother accused her.

“Isn’t that how it is supposed to be?”

“For a duchess? No. Not even for a rich man’s daughter. Why should you be more fortunate than the rest of us? Or believe you have higher expectations?”

Willa faced her mother. “Because I want it all . And, to be honest, I was starting to believe I did.”

“What is ‘all’?”

“A husband who doesn’t disappear whenever I need him. Who cherishes me and acts as if he enjoys my company.” Matt had almost convinced her both of those things were true. Of course, this morning by the river, she’d had her first brush with the truth. “I want to believe that I matter to someone.” She’d wanted to matter to him.

“You matter, Willa. You are a duchess. His duchess. A woman can ask for no more in life.”

“I can. I don’t want to be a blank piece of paper.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I won’t settle. Not in love. Or in how I live my life.”

“Your father and I have provided well for you.”

“You have. But you have also kept me on a shelf, waiting for the right time to marry me off at a good advantage.”

Her mother compressed her lips in a tight, hard line. The sound of the coach wheels over cobblestones filled the silence between them. They were not far from home. The horses had picked up their pace.

And then, her mother reached for the speaker tube between passenger and driver. “Take us to the Duke of Camberly’s.” Her mother sat back in the seat.

Willa’s hands clenched into fists. “You are returning me to him? Even though I don’t wish to go?”

“You won’t discover if you truly matter to him hiding in your childhood bed,” her mother answered. “You must face him.”

“I don’t know if I wish to. What do I say?”

“What you just told me. You were very articulate.”

“But it is harder speaking to him that way.”

“Then you are lying to yourself. Willa, people hand over what you want. You take it. Not speaking to Camberly will lead you nowhere. I know.” Her mother was quiet a moment before saying, “You believe I don’t care what your father does—”

“He is selfish, how can you tolerate him?”

“Because I love him,” her mother answered. “Because in spite of what he does and who he is, I wish to think that someday, there will be something meaningful between us. And also because I have few other choices. You see, I hid from your father instead of speaking my truth. I was afraid to make demands. I can’t say that if I had done things differently, we might be different. He is a hard man, and a frightened one. He’s afraid of being poor, of aging, of being overlooked. But I’m at peace with that. I was the one who didn’t believe I had to a right to make demands. I was silly.” She turned to look at the passing scenery. “Don’t you be silly, Willa. You’ve told Camberly how you feel. Now you owe it to yourself to hear him out.”

The coach rolled to a stop. The ever-vigilant Marshall opened the house door to welcome her home.

Willa reached for her mother’s hand. “What if I truly don’t matter to my husband?”

“Then you are in no different a place than where you are right now, except he does care. I saw his face.”

“But does he care enough to love me ?”

“Possibly. And I’m jealous. Now go on. A good night’s sleep will do wonders.”

Sleep was always her mother’s answer to all the trials of life. There had been a time when Willa had wanted to scream when she heard her mother say it.

Now, she kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thank you.”

Her mother smiled, but then a thoughtful look crossed her face. “How did you know to search for Camberly?”

“Lady Evanston told me that my husband wished me to go to that room. She said he had a surprise for me.”

“Letty could have arranged all of this.”

“It is possible,” Willa conceded. “She seemed very pleased with herself.”

“Give him a chance to explain, Willa. Hear him out.”

“I will.” It would be difficult . . . but she would try to listen to her husband, even if she didn’t believe him.

And then? Well, Willa knew she’d have a decision to make. A hard one.

At a nod from her mother, Lloyd opened the coach door and Willa climbed out. Thoughtfully, she walked to where Marshall waited. She told him good night and made her way up the stairs.

Annie was waiting up for her. The maid had been sitting in the desk chair by the lamp doing some handwork. At the sight of Willa, Annie set her work aside and jumped to her feet. “How was your evening, Your Grace?” she asked hopefully.

“Trying.”

“Is His Grace with you?”

“He’ll be along shortly.” Willa looked to the bed. It looked empty without him, as would her life.

She felt her throat start to close and the burn of tears. She blinked them back. It was never good to cry in front of Annie. She always wished to right every wrong, and this was between Willa and Matt.

Nor was Willa ready for a confrontation with him. It might be best to wait for the morning. As Annie pulled the pins from her hair, Willa decided she would prefer being in bed and pretending sleep. Let Matt make the first move. After all, she was the wronged party.

Consequently, Willa had little patience with the rituals of brushing out her hair and braiding it. He could arrive home at any moment.

She knew Annie’s mind buzzed with questions. Thankfully, the maid knew enough not to ask.

This night, Willa chose her heaviest nightdress to wear—another sign to Matt that, although she’d decided to return to their home, she was not pleased. “Thank you, Annie. You have been most helpful.”

“I try to do my best, Miss Willa. Do you wish to keep the light burning for His Grace?”

“No.” Darkness was good.

“Yes, Your Grace. Have sweet dreams.”

Yes, Willa would dream about a man who loved her and her alone.

The sourness of her thoughts disturbed her . . . because, she realized, she did love Matt, and him alone. No matter what happened.

That was her last thought before surprising herself by falling asleep, but not for long.

One moment she’d laid her head upon the pillow; in the next, someone stuffed a ball of material in her mouth and tied a scarf around her head to prevent her from crying out. Confused, her eyes opened in surprise to realize the room was still dark. That was her last thought before a pillowcase was tossed over her head.

Rough hands grabbed her by the arms, pulled her from the bed, and bound her with ropes.

Willa found herself hoisted up on a man’s shoulder and being carried from her room.