The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3)(95)

Hart’s warmth and embrace was a temporary haven from the ugliness she’d experienced over the last three days. He’d surely be disgusted when he heard the rest.

“There’s more.” She tried to swallow the pain that was choking her. “I’ve done the unthinkable.” She pulled away from the security he offered and walked to the fireplace. By rote, she stirred the embers as she waited for the hiss of the fire to grow. “I started to embezzle from my trust account about three months ago. I had Mr. Garwyn copy the Marquess of McCalpin seal. Then I studied the first letter McCalpin sent me. I practiced until I had mastered his penmanship and his signature. I started to direct funds to be deposited into my account at E. Cavensham Commerce.”

Hart shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

“Since I’m illegitimate, the funds I’ve taken from my trust aren’t mine. I’ve stolen from my siblings, and Michael and the duke think I’ve stolen from them.”

She didn’t know how to explain it. How her life of struggle had turned into something magical, then without any warning, she’d lost everything.

“Father entrusted the estate monies to Lord Burns, who in his old age completely forgot about his responsibilities to us. His solicitors didn’t care enough to check on our welfare. The amounts he sent dwindled to nothing. When he died, I contacted Lord McCalpin, but I didn’t hear from him. Therefore, I took matters into my hands. I was careful. The requests started out small. But it wasn’t enough after the massive damage we suffered this winter, so I directed one thousand pounds be deposited.”

“Oh, March.” His whisper lashed at every speck of her self-control.

She tipped her chin as she regarded him. “I was desperate. Besides, it’s my money.” She mockingly corrected herself. “At least, I thought it was my money. Once the marquess discovered my deception, that’s when he became involved and sought guardianship over the estate and the family. He told me I never had to worry again. He’d take care of things.”

“He didn’t shy away from the responsibility. He was the reason I could leave you and take my place with Erlington. What happened next?” Hart coaxed.

Until she tried to utter the words, she hadn’t truly grasped how difficult it would be. She tilted her head at the ceiling in an effort to harness the strength to confide the rest. “When I went to Chelmsford, Michael followed and took me back to his estate at McCalpin Manor. It was late and I was distraught…”

When her gaze met his, she could see fire in his eyes. “What happened?”

She swallowed and forced herself to continue, though her throat protested as if it’d been skinned raw. Heat rose until her cheeks felt ablaze and her eyes burned. “He asked me to marry him, and at first I agreed.” Hot tears streamed down her inflamed cheeks. The debilitating pain mimicked a hot poker piercing her chest. She gasped, but made herself continue. “I went to his room”—she closed her eyes to gather what little strength she could muster to finish—“to make certain he understood who I really was. I wanted him to realize that as a bastard and with the horrible accusations that Rupert had announced in public, I’d bring shame to him and my siblings. I couldn’t live with that.”

“Sweetheart, if anyone can withstand that type of scandal, it’s a ducal heir. No one second-guesses them.”

“No, Hart. You see, it’s worse than that. Rupert proclaimed in front of everyone that I was not only a bastard, but a thief.” Her voice weakened as the next words would wound her friend. “He said I harbored a known sodomite at Bennett’s estate.”

With a loud exhalation, Hart ran his hand through his hair. “My God, you suffered because of me—”

“No.” She held up her hand to stop him from speaking. “Don’t you dare say that. If it hadn’t been for you, we’d have been dead or worse—in a poor house or begging on the street. No one wanted or cared for us, but you did. You stayed with us. You allowed us to be a family.”

Hart came to her and took both of her hands in his. “Go on.”

“I thought about how Rupert’s accusations would hurt you and my family. He’d hurt Michael.” She smoothed her gown to keep her hands from shaking. “I love him too much to see him damaged by Rupert’s action.” She curled her shoulders toward her chest. “So I went to Michael hoping to discuss what he’d have to look forward to if he married me. I—I was in his bedroom.”

He squeezed her hands encouraging her to continue.

“Hart—” She swallowed her humiliation in an attempt to force it to leave her be—at least until she finished. “I … we made love.”

“That happens, sweetheart. It’s not uncommon for couples who are betrothed.” His voice didn’t carry any censure.

“The next morning I woke up.” She searched his eyes hoping he’d understand. “I was so happy. For the first time in my life, I thought I might have a different life, the one I dreamed about when I was girl before we left for Brighton.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He surely realized her tale would turn ugly.

“When we arrived in London the next day, I came here to Lawson Court and did some menial chores to clear my thoughts. Rupert was here crowing about how he’d found the seal and taken it to Michael’s solicitors. When I returned to Langham Hall, everything had changed. Michael had met with his solicitor and bookkeeper. A lot of money is missing from the accounts, and my seal and my practice papers were the instruments of the theft. It was my signature on the documents, but I hadn’t filled out the pages. Whoever did this had mastered the marquess’s handwriting, too.”