‘They do if they’re in as much debt as you are. Why make Beth pay for your husband’s mistakes?’
‘Why should I pay for them?’
Josh blinked, surprised by the venom in her voice. He’d never liked Lady Hummingford, but Beth had convinced him she was only looking out for the welfare of both her daughters. Now he wasn’t so sure.
‘Elizabeth will marry your brother and he will pay our debts. We keep the house. Annabelle gets to hide in her bedroom for ever and I...’
‘You can live in a house fit for a countess, knowing you’ve sold your daughter’s happiness for it?’
Lady Hummingford didn’t react to his words, instead pushing open the door to the library and motioning for two of the footmen to approach.
‘Think what you like of me, but Elizabeth has made up her mind. She is doing her duty and that will give her comfort in the years to come. She has sent word to your brother that she is keen to accept a proposal and I will push for the wedding to be as soon as possible. Within the month she will be married.’
He felt as though he had been punched in the gut and actually took a couple of steps back. Even after what Beth had said last night Josh had thought he could persuade her there was another way, a way that protected everyone but still let them be together.
The idea that Beth had already sent a note to Leo, had already given up on them entirely, was too much.
‘Leave. Leave Elizabeth in peace. Let her get on with her life without any further distractions.’
‘I will leave, but only once I have spoken to Beth.’ He eyed the two footmen. ‘And you’re a fool if you think these two boys can stop me.’
Lady Hummingford considered him for a moment and then nodded.
‘Stay here. I will bring her down.’
It seemed only a few seconds between Lady Hummingford disappearing and her return with Beth in tow. Josh was shocked at how pale she looked, how drained and upset. Her clothes were crumpled, her hair a mess and her eyes had dark rings around them, making them look sunken.
‘Beth,’ he said, stepping towards her, but Lady Hummingford intercepted him.
‘Sit there, Elizabeth. You have one minute.’
Beth stayed standing, her one little rebellion, but Josh could see there was no real fight left in her.
‘We can still do this, Beth, we can still be together,’ he said quickly, knowing these were the most important words of his life.
‘I’m sorry, Josh.’ Her voice was flat, as if she’d used up all her emotion.
‘Have you written to Leo? Told him you will be his wife?’
There was a second’s hesitation and then a nod. Josh felt all the hope leave his body in one burst. She’d given up on them.
Not caring that the door was still ajar, not caring that Lady Hummingford was likely still outside, he stepped closer and gently took Beth’s face in his hands. He kissed her, knowing it would be the last time he kissed the woman he loved.
‘Goodbye, Josh.’ Her voice cracked and as soon as she’d said the words she turned and fled from the room.
‘Goodbye, Beth.’
Six hours later he was sitting in Leo’s study staring morosely into a large glass of brandy. He’d ridden straight to Leo’s Kentish residence, a nicely proportioned house just outside Tunbridge Wells.
‘What will you do?’
Josh didn’t answer for a moment. He felt as though his brain had slowed and thinking was like moving through treacle.
‘Return to India. I don’t think I can stay and watch her marry you.’
Leo leaned back in his chair and regarded Josh for a long moment.
‘I don’t have to marry her, not if you don’t want me to.’
‘No, marry her. At least that way I know she’s safe and you haven’t broken your promise. I know that means a lot to you.’
‘It’s a bad situation.’ Even Leo was showing a hint of emotion. ‘Stay around for a little longer. She may yet change her mind.’
Josh shook his head. She wouldn’t change her mind. Of course, he wanted her to, wanted her to come bursting through the doors declaring she’d made the worst mistake of her life, begging him to give her a second chance. He couldn’t wait around for it though; the sting of rejection was fresh and he hadn’t realised how deep that had cut. It had opened the old wounds that he’d thought healed but instead were just lurking under the surface.
‘I’ll catch an earlier ship back to India. If I leave for London tomorrow there will be a ship I can book passage on by the end of the week.’
‘If that is what you think best.’
Nothing felt right, but he knew he couldn’t stay around and watch Beth marry his brother. That would be devastating. Travelling to half a world away it would still be upsetting, but at least he wouldn’t have to witness it, wouldn’t have to see them do what he had hoped for himself.
‘I’ll miss you, Leo.’
‘And I you, Josh. Perhaps in a year or two I will be able to come and see you in India. Until then we will have our letters.’
Josh could picture Leo stepping off the gangplank of a ship just docked in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. In the picture Beth was on his arm, parasol held above her head to protect her from the strong Indian sun, her hair blowing in the warm breeze. He would have to insist Leo didn’t bring his wife on any trips.
They both lapsed into silence, Josh taking a gulp of brandy and appreciating the burn in his throat, anything to distract him from his morose mood.
Half an hour later Josh collapsed into bed, squeezing his eyes tight and hoping that his sleep wouldn’t be filled with images of Beth, but knowing he would be
