The question rose up to torment her. Everything Joseph had offered was like a fairy tale for a woman like her. Other women in much higher stations would covet the position she found herself in, to have his affection and his proposal of marriage. They wouldn’t have hesitated to accept him, no matter his motivation for asking.

“No, you little wretch,” she whispered. She’d made the right decision. Now she just had to convince herself of it.

A knock sounded on the door.

She sat up, her heart jumping into her throat. Had Joseph come back to plead with her? What if he declared his love? Could she turn him down a second time? Would she even want to?

The knock came again.

Pushing to her feet, she smoothed down her skirt. She hesitated before brushing stray strands of hair back, only then realizing her fingers were trembling. With a deep breath, she pulled open the door and at the same moment attempted a smile.

Mr. Scott stood before her, his shoulders rigid. “You have some explaining to do,” he stated too quietly.

“I didn’t think anyone on the welcoming committee would notice me gone. Honest.”

“Your familiarity with Lord Colville must cease at once.” His voice wobbled with an undercurrent of anger he was too pious to express.

The words silenced Mercy. Had Mr. Scott overheard her conversation with Joseph? If so, how much?

“’Course, sir,” she replied, curtsying at the same time she lowered her gaze. Urgency propelled her into doing whatever she had to in order to protect herself, even if that meant groveling at Mr. Scott’s feet. “There’s nothing betwixt Lord Colville and me, sir. Nothing at all.”

“It would appear you are in the habit of speaking falsehoods.”

“No, sir—”

“Silence, you upstart!” His voice rose, but then he quickly stretched his neck before speaking calmly once more. “I heard every word of your conversation just now.”

Mercy closed her mouth, her protest dying on her lips. Had he followed her or Joseph away from the gathering only to hide and listen to them?

He lifted his chin and seemed to be attempting to peer down his nose at her, except he only managed to reveal his nose hairs. “Not only have you been cavorting with the esteemed Lord Colville, but you have turned his pity upon you. You certainly do not think he cares about you other than how he might gratify his flesh?”

The bluntness of Mr. Scott’s words slapped Mercy, leaving her mortified.

“No?” Mr. Scott said. “You are a greater fool than I thought if you believe for one moment a man of Lord Colville’s station has any inclination toward you.”

“I didn’t know. Leastways I didn’t think so.”

“Believe me, girl, I know.”