“Indeed. This entire situation’s outcome rests upon your course of action, little brother,” Charles said with a grim expression on his face.
He exchanged glances with Rebecca and Charles, and wished he knew how he was to proceed, with either his mother or regarding the article. Perhaps he could write a strongly worded letter to the editor of the newspaper? But more than likely, the damage had already been done. People in Weymouth would have already begun to spread tales of what occurred between him and Rebecca. The only way to return her reputation to its former state was to...
Thomas lowered his gaze and he felt ashamed for even thinking it. He did not wish to marry her under such pretences, simply to save her reputation. She deserved much better than that, and Thomas refused to even consider it as an option. But what would be the alternative?
Before he could speak, Rebecca said, “I wish to return home with my father.”
“Your father has already returned home,” Charles said simply.
“What? When?” Rebecca asked.
“Shortly after you came to my study. I informed him that the Dowager Duchess requested you visit longer and he agreed, reluctantly,” Charles said.
“I am surprised he did not insist on staying,” Rebecca said under her breath. “He made it very clear that I am not to be anywhere near Thomas.”
“Interesting,” Charles said. “Because of what happened on the beach?”
“Indeed. But not as it states in the article...” Rebecca gasped loudly and covered her mouth with both hands. Her eyes widened as her hands dropped to her sides and she turned to Thomas.
“What?”
“The article. My father doesn’t know of it. He will find the newspaper in the kitchen and...” Her voice trailed and she swallowed loudly. “I must leave and go to him. Explain to him that it’s not true.”
“No. That is out of the question,” Charles said.
“Why? I must tell my father the truth. He will believe me,” Rebecca said.
“Are you certain of that?” Charles asked.
Rebecca rose to her feet and clasped her hands together. “Indeed. This has not been the first time this particular reporter has targeted my family.”
“What do you mean?” Charles asked.
“Shortly after our arrival in Weymouth, an article in the newspaper reported the reason why my father and I moved to a seaside town. It was pure lies that were tremendously injurious to my father’s reputation as a physician. It’s that very same reporter who wrote the article about Thomas and me.”
“What did your father do?”
“He wrote a letter to the editor and accused them of publishing defamatory information about him. The editor and the reporter published a public apology towards my father in the newspaper. His reputation was restored, and he has quickly become well-respected and loved in the community,” Rebecca said. “I do, however, fear that this would not be the case with me. Women’s reputations are as fragile as glass, while men’s reputations are as unwavering as the rocks you find at the foot of the cliffs.”
Thomas frowned and lowered his gaze, feeling guilty that his foolish actions led to the article. Although most of the things in the article were not accurate, it would not have been written if it had not been for him.
“Rebecca, I agree that you need to discuss this with your father. The paper was from this morning, and by now the entire town has knowledge of it. But I cannot allow you to face your father alone.”
“Thomas, I—”
“I tend to agree with my brother,” Charles said. “Your father will be livid and would require a thorough explanation of what happened, even if it is not something he wishes to hear, and especially not from the man who did those things to his daughter.”
“Allegedly,” Thomas said.
“Thomas only kissed me, that is the extent of it,” Rebecca said firmly, glaring at Charles.
Charles raised his hands in the air. “I pass no judgement whatsoever. It is not as though I can say that I have never—”
“Charles, please,” Thomas said, not wishing to hear intimate details from his brother.
“My apologies. I shall call for a carriage and have you and Rebecca delivered to Dr. Morton’s home as speedily as possible.”
“Thank you, Charles,” Rebecca said, and Charles nodded, turning on his heel. “We should hurry—”
Before Rebecca was able to complete her sentence, Thomas reached for her hand, grasping it tightly. He spun her around and she gazed at him with wide eyes.
“Thomas...” Her voice was merely a whisper, and as much as Thomas wished to kiss her, hold her tightly against his chest, now was most certainly not the right time for it.
Despite his feelings, which only grew with every moment spent with her, there were more important issues at hand. Dr. Morton would be furious when he saw the article, and Thomas began to prepare himself for the wrath of Rebecca’s father. He had experienced it once before, but he realised that was mild in comparison to how Dr. Morton would react if he were to read the things Thomas had supposedly done to his daughter.
He pursed his lips and loosened his grasp on Rebecca’s hand. “Let us go. There is no point in delaying this.”
“I see the terror in your eyes, Thomas. I am truly sorry for involving you in this.”
He smiled and brushed a lock of hair from her face. “There is no need to apologise to me, Rebecca. All I require is one more gaze at your beautiful face before your father beats me to death.”
Rebecca pouted and placed her hand on his cheek. “Luckily, I can nurse you back to health.”
“Even if I am dead?” he asked.
In a moment that should have been grim, they chuckled in amusement before they quietly left the study to make their way to the carriage that waited for them outside.
IT WAS SILENT IN THE carriage as it made its way to the townhouse, and Rebecca stared at her hands resting on her lap. Although she and Thomas had found amusement in the fact that her father may
