“You wanted to see me, my lord?” Harry clasped his hat in one hand and tried to ignore the nervous tremor of his heart.

Lord Thornefield nodded and indicated to the chair opposite himself. The study smelled of leather and paper. Books occupied bookshelves in every corner and the desk behind which the marquis sat was a huge dark wood affair, carved with intricate detailing and topped with green leather. Harry never felt at ease in the marquis’s office but today was even worse.

I have been kissing your sister. That was the first thought Harry had when he entered the room. Images of Lilith, pressed against him, lying next to him, kissing his face and his mouth rolled through his mind as he sat. He forced his expression to remain neutral, but he was certain his guilt had to be written all over his face.

“What can I do for you, my lord?” He squeezed the cap in his hand until it was a rolled-up ball of fabric and would likely never regain shape.

“I know you expressed interest in the role of head groom.”

Harry nodded, keeping his expression guarded still.

“You are a hard worker and your knowledge of horses is impressive. Johnson tells me there would be no better man for the job.”

Harry nodded again.

Lord Thornefield eyed him, his blue gaze steady. “However, I also have a need for an experienced man in London.”

“London, my lord?”

“Someone who can handle my affairs and purchase good stock for me. You have an eye for horses and I suspect you would not feel at a loss at the auctions.”

Harry frowned. “I don’t think—”

The marquis laid a palm on the desk. “We are two grown men, Harry, and I am not one to avoid the issue. There is a good reason for you to go to London and we both know what that is.”

Meeting his gaze, a fist of dread punched into his gut. He knew. Somehow Lilith’s brother knew. “My lord…”

“I do not think you are a man of bad intentions. I hope not. My wife insists you…care for Lilith. However, we are both men of the world. Do you really think you can provide the lifestyle that Lilith needs?”

“What she needs, my lord, or is used to?”

“Lilith is still young and has not been exposed to the world. The work that comes with being a stable-hand’s wife would be more than she is ever used to.” Lord Thornefield rubbed a hand across his mouth. “Lady Thornefield does not want me to get involved. Hell, she shall probably have my hide for this. But as a brother, I cannot stand idly by while I witness what might be folly indeed. Did you intend to sneak around with her for the rest of your days or did you want to make an honest woman of her?”

Harry straightened. “I had no dishonest intentions.”

And had he thought of marriage to her? Yes, of course he bloody well had. How could he not? He’d spent every single day of his life recently thinking of what it would be like have Lilith as his wife. But he hadn’t had it in him to bring it up. How could he ask her to give up her life as a lady to be the wife of a stable-hand?

“You understand my concern, Harry. If she marries you, she shall be stuck with her choice, and I cannot help but fear neither of you shall be happy when reality hits. I have already had one sister marry unhappily. I would not see that happen to Lilith.”

“There’s nothing to say she would not be happy.” The words came out sharper than he’d intended. “I would work to make her the happiest woman alive.”

“But can you make her happy? Truly?” Lord Thornefield pushed away from the desk and stood. “Think yourself lucky that I am not calling you out on this. It was my first instinct, believe me.” He pressed a hand to the desk and leaned over. “I have no wish to lose a good worker or create a fuss when there need not be one. Go to London, let Lilith have a little time.”

Harry stood. “You’re asking me to choose between Lilith or my job?”

Lord Thornefield’s expression hardened. “I am asking you to think carefully about Lilith’s future. I am—”

The door to the office swung open and Lilith barreled inside, followed swiftly by Lady Thornefield.

“I told him nothing, I swear,” Lady Thornefield said as Lilith marched into the room and stood in front of her brother. “He guessed. You know I’m a terrible fibber.”

“Is it true?” Lilith demanded.

Lord Thornefield exhaled. “Is what true?”

Lilith clenched a fist at her side. “You want to send Harry away? You want to threaten his job?”

The marquis lifted a hand. “That’s not exactly—”

“Oh goodness, it’s all true then!” The dowager marchioness joined the fray, stepping into the office and shutting the door. “I knew when I saw you two together, something was not right.”

Harry winced. Apparently they had not been careful enough and now all of Lilith’s family knew.

Lilith faced her mother. “Yes, it is true. Harry and I we…care for each other.”

“I love her,” he said gruffly.

Lilith’s eyes widened, a smile curved her lips, and she nodded. “And I love him.”

Lilith’s mother shook her head. “Think about what you are saying, my dear. You know I love you and want what’s best for you but to be a stable-hand’s wife…is that really what you want? You are a lady. You are not used to that sort of life.”

Lilith lifted her chin and Harry could not help the well of pride that bubbled up inside her. “I am not some spoiled, useless, naïve girl, Mama. I know what I want, and I want Harry.”

“But—” Lilith’s mother’s eyes welled with tears. “Lilith, please. You need to think about this.”

“I have.” Lilith folded her arms across her chest.

“And have you?” Lord Thornefield asked Harry. “Have you thought about my offer?”

Harry nodded. He hardly needed to think. Even if he remained a stable-hand for the rest of his days, he could not live without Lilith. If it came down to it, he would find another job nearby and work his way up again to ensure they all had everything they needed. But he’d seen Lilith at the orphanage and knew how hard she worked. She could survive far more than any of them realized.

“I love Lilith. I want a life with her.”

The dowager marchioness pulled a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. Lilith put a hand to her shoulder. “Mama, all shall be well, I promise.”

“You are my baby, surely you must understand that?”

“I do.”

“Then can you not just wait a little. Attend this ball. Spend a little time apart—we could go to Bath perhaps.” Lilith’s mother pleaded. “If you still feel the same after that then I shall give you my blessing.”

“We don’t need time,” Harry declared.

Lilith swung a look between Harry and her mother. He saw her throat work. “If I do, will you let Harry keep his job?” she asked her brother.

“I had every intention of making Harry head groom, regardless,” Lord Thornefield said stiffly. “You can thank Catherine for talking me into that. All I want was to be sure this was not some silly fancy. I think time away from each other would be a fine thing.”

No. No it wouldn’t. Harry wanted to rage and tear the office apart. He’d already tried time away from Lilith and it was more than he could bear. Not even the news that he would get the head groom’s job could ease the sickness in his gut.

“It would only be a little while, Harry,” Lilith said softly. Her mother continued to sniff and dab away her tears. “You understand, do you not?”

“I understand that you are letting everyone tear us apart before we have even started.” He loathed that her family was witness to their conversation, loathed that they had professed their love for each in such circumstances. He wanted to drag her aside and beg her to run off with him, but Lilith was too soft-hearted for that and he’d be damned if it wasn’t one of the things he loved about her.

“Just for a little while,” she promised. “And if nothing has changed, we have all your blessings?” she asked everyone.

Her mother nodded. Lady Thornefield shrugged. “You had it anyway.”

“So long as it is what you want,” Lord Thornefield said.

“It is. It will be. Nothing shall change.” Lilith looked at Harry confidently.

His gut itched with anxiety. Why did he have the awful feeling that everything could change?