“Harmonia?”

Looking up from her book, Harmonia smiled as her sister came into the room.

“Harmonia, I thought to accompany papa on a short stroll around Hyde Park,” Amelia said, looking somewhat apologetic. “I know you must be frustrated with being cooped up like this and, of course, I shall stay if you so wish.”

Their father had been taking a walk in Hyde Park almost every afternoon for the last ten days, and Harmonia had been delighted to see him looking a great deal more robust than a few months previously. The pale sheen was gone from his skin, replaced instead with a rather healthy looking pink glow about his cheeks. Amelia accompanied him most days, leaving Harmonia at home, but her sister had always been careful to ensure that Harmonia did not mind being left home alone for a time. That was just like Amelia to always be thinking of others.

Smiling, Harmonia shook her head, grateful for her sister’s consideration. “No indeed, I am more than happy for you to go with father. I am glad that his health has so improved that he seems desirous of taking a walk in the afternoons of late!”

Amelia, looking somewhat relieved, smiled back at her. “Indeed, although I do think that it is because of your predicament that father has found more of a strength within him than he realized.”

“What do you mean?” Harmonia asked, tipping her head as she considered Amelia’s words. “You think he is not as ill as he thought?”

The smile on Amelia’s face made Harmonia’s spirits lift. “Yes, that is just what I mean,” Amelia replied, with a sparkle in her eyes that shot hope into Harmonia’s heart. “Of course, his gout can flare up because of his own indulgences but I have seen him set such things aside these last weeks, all because he is caught up with you and Luke’s behavior towards you. The protectiveness he displays comes from deep within him and has shown him that he is not the weak, frail old man he once considered himself to be.”

Harmonia sighed happily, folding her hands together in her lap. “Then, I suppose, I am almost glad for what Luke did, if it means that papa’s health improves. I do wish for him to lose the weakness that has dogged him these last years.”

“I believe it is already leaving him,” Amelia replied, her eyes now sparkling with joy. “I have not seen him take to his bed early or even so much as lie down during the day for over a fortnight, Harmonia. I should say that talking strolls in the park is another way for him to add to his strength and fortitude and I intend to encourage him in this endeavor in every way I can.”

“Then you must go with him, of course,” Harmonia replied, getting up and walking towards the window. “It is a lovely afternoon and I may very well sit out in the garden for a time.”

Amelia frowned, her smile shrinking. “So long as you –”

“Have two footmen on hand, yes, I know,” Harmonia laughed, interrupting her sister. “I know what is expected of me by now, Amelia.”

Her sister studied her for a moment, her expression grave. “I am sorry that it must be so, Harmonia, but papa still has not found where Luke has gone. He is not back at his estate and not in his London townhouse, and so we are quite at a loss. It is for your own safety that such a thing is still imposed upon you.”

“You need not worry, dear sister,” Harmonia replied, with a slight lift of her shoulders. “I have plenty to occupy me now that I am engaged.” She chuckled as Amelia laughed, her smile now back on her face. “And soon we shall be returning home.”

“Less than a week,” Amelia reminded her, her smile softening. “It shall be a wonderful wedding, Harmonia, I am quite sure of it. All your sisters will be there to celebrate your happiness.”

“Amelia?”

Harmonia laughed as the sound of her father’s voice came booming down the hallway towards the drawing room, starling Amelia. It was more than obvious that their father was much improved, given just how loud his voice had been of late. It reminded Harmonia of when she had been a child, hearing her father call to them from another part of their large manor house they still called home. She had always heard him, no matter where she was. To hear it so again brought her nothing more than delight.

“Go,” she laughed, shooing Amelia away. “I must prepare for Newford’s arrival soon anyhow. You will be back before he arrives, I hope?”

“A few minutes later, perhaps,” Amelia replied, with a knowing smile. “And you look beautiful just as you are, Harmonia. Do not fret about your appearance in any way.”

A slight blush in her cheeks, Harmonia smiled at her sister. “Thank you. Enjoy your walk with papa.”

The door closed behind Amelia, leaving Harmonia alone. She made to open her book but found her attention drifting elsewhere, caught up with thoughts of her wedding day. All the arrangements had been going well and she had received a note from her other two sisters, each declaring their delight and happiness for her. Harmonia was quite sure that they would like Phillip immensely, once they had time in his company. They would spend a week together before the wedding day, with Phillip residing in the manor house with them. He had been so amicable and easy, willing to go along with any and all plans that she made as regards their nuptials and Harmonia was having a wonderful time putting everything into place. Sighing happily to herself, Harmonia wandered back towards the window and looked out at the busy London street for a time, lost in her dreams of what was to be in her future.

The door suddenly flew open, startling Harmonia.

“I tried to stop him, my lady, but I could not!” the butler strode in just behind the figure of Luke who came towards her without hesitating.

A small cry escaped her lips and she started towards the fireplace, thinking to grasp at the poker, but Luke held up his hands, seemingly panting for breath.

“Wait, please,” he gasped, a look of urgency in his eyes. “It is about your father.”

Two footmen hurried in and, directed by the butler, grasped Luke’s arms, making to drag him away, only for Harmonia to hold up one hand.

“Wait,” she whispered, terror clutching at her heart as she wondered what Luke was about. “My father? What are you speaking of, Luke?”

He was not released by the footmen but did not appear to be angry about their hold on him. Turning his head back towards her, a desperate look in his eyes, his face pale. Aware that she should not even be in his company, Harmonia fought against the urge to tell the footmen to throw him from the house, her body shaking as she tried to hold his gaze.

“Harmonia, I know I have done you a great wrong and I am sorrier for it than you can know. Indeed, I was making my way out of London when I saw your father and sister walking towards Hyde Park.”

“Yes,” Harmonia said, as firmly as she could. “What of it?”

“Your father has collapsed.”

Her whole body constricted as though she had been struck.

“Of course, I stopped the carriage at once and got out, hurrying towards them both. Your sister is trying her best to care for him and I believe a doctor has been sent for, but they are requesting that you come to them at once. I…. I am not sure there is a great deal of time.”

She could not breathe. Her heart had stopped, the shock of what he had said shaking her to her very core.

“If you will permit me, my carriage is waiting outside,” Luke finished, in such a gentle and tender tone that she could hardly believe it came from him. “Your father will need to see you, Harmonia. Just in case the worse should happen.”

She stumbled forward, her mind going blank of all thought, of all consciousness. The footmen, leaving Luke where he was, hurried to catch her, guiding her to a seat. Luke pressed a glass into her trembling hands, encouraging her to take a sip.

The liquor was fiery, shooting warmth into her icy limbs, bringing clarity to her confused mind. Her father was ill. She needed to go and see him. To refuse to do so now would be unthinkable, even though she wanted to remain as far away from Luke as possible.

“What say you, Harmonia?” Luke whispered, bending down so that he might crouch in front of her. “Might I take you to him?”

“I – I don’t understand,” Harmonia whispered, weakness spiraling all through her as she struggled to make sense of it all. “He has been improving steadily these last few weeks. He has taken a walk with my sister at this time almost every day. How could he simply collapse?” She searched his face, seeing a grief in his eyes that told her he was speaking the truth. He did not answer her questions but held his arm out to her, helping her to stand.

“Come with me, my dear Harmonia,” he said, softly. “Let me take you to your father. You will regret it if you do not.”

She knew she would regret it, her heart twisting painfully within her.

“I will come with you at once,” she whispered, taking his arm and forced to lean on it heavily as he began to make his way from the room. Looking over her shoulder, she made to speak to the butler, to tell him to prepare a room for her father but no words came from her mouth. Instead, all she felt was a deep, agonizing fear.

“Where did you say you saw them?”

The carriage was warm and welcoming, but Harmonia did not breathe any easier. Rapping on the roof, Luke shook his head and sat back against the squabs, his eyes slowly drifting away from her and towards the street outside.

“Just outside Hyde Park,” he murmured, quietly. “I think it best if you remain silent for a time, Harmonia. Rest as much as you can and regain some of your strength.” His eyes flickered over her, something pulling at the corner of his mouth. “I fear you will need it.”

Harmonia swallowed painfully, her eyes filling with heavy tears that cast weight onto her soul. She could not bring herself to imagine the scene of her father, prostrate on the cold ground with Amelia by her side.

“Wait for me, papa,” she whispered, closing her eyes tightly and praying desperately that he would not succumb to death. “I must see you again.”

Minutes passed. Harmonia did not know how long they had travelled for, waiting for the words that would send her into a panic. But Luke did not speak, did not tell her that they had reached where her father lay. Surely Amelia and her father could not have walked so far?

Opening her eyes, Harmonia looked out of the window, only for a sickening feeling to wash all through her. They were nowhere near Hyde Park. In fact, she could not identify the street. Wherever Luke was taking her it was not to her father.

“Luke?” she asked, tremulously, turning her gaze onto him and seeing the dark expression settle into his features again. “What is happening? Where is papa?”

He shrugged, his eyes glittering. “Your father is fine, my dear Harmonia. I apologize for the deception, but I had to get you out of that house somehow.”

Something tore at her soul as she stared at him, aghast.

“I agree, it is reprehensible for me to trick you in such a manner but, as I am sure you are aware by now, I am somewhat desperate.”

Harmonia struggled to take a breath, her mind churning over the truth of what he had just revealed as she sagged against the squabs. There was relief within her that her father was not at death’s door, as she had been led to believe but with that relief came a terrible, quaking terror as to what Luke had planned for her.

“I will not let you go and the carriage will not stop until we have left London,” he continued, with an almost indolent look in her direction. “In time, you will come to accept me, Harmonia. You need not fear about that. I will not be a cruel man.”

“And yet, you treat me like this?” Harmonia whispered, her hand now clutching at her heart as she fought desperately to keep her head. “You will release me, Luke. I will never marry you, not even if my reputation is dragged through the mud and mire.”

He chuckled, evidently ignoring her entirely. “You will see, Harmonia,” he murmured, looking idly out the window. “You will have no choice but to agree.”