He made to get up, but she shook her head, waving him back to his seat. To mention her discussion with her father would only muddy the waters. It had brought matters to a head, but her decision had already been made. “The only reason my parents brought me to London is to make a good match.”

“And our union would be considered a very poor substitute,” he agreed ruefully. “I understand that, which is why we agreed to wait until you are of age and can do as you please.”

She had never actually agreed to marry him. She had hoped, and she had dreamed, but she had never said yes. But nor had she said no, nor even once confessed her growing doubts, and she felt guilty about that. Margaret clasped her hands more tightly together. Now was the time to make the situation crystal clear. “If I married you, my father would never forgive me.”

“Surely you exaggerate. He will bluster, it is a trait of men such as he, and he may shun you for a while, for the sake of his pride, but you are his daughter. He’ll come round; he won’t disown you completely.”

“He will, and will also insist my mother, sisters, and brothers follow suit. I have been hiding my head in the sand too long. No amount of waiting will change the fact that our marriage would not be tolerated.”

“But if we presented it as a fait accompli . . .”

“I would be dead to them,” Margaret said. “Forever.”

Sebastian looked appalled. “I knew there would be an outcry, but—” He broke off, shaking his head. “No, I cannot believe they would be so cruel.”

“I am afraid you must. I am so sorry to break it to you so suddenly and without warning, but I cannot in all conscience allow you to believe that we have any hope of a future together.”

“So you are being cruel to be kind, is that what you are saying?” he said, with a short, harsh laugh.

“I am trying to spare us both inevitable disappointment and the pain that would accompany it,” Margaret said in a small voice.

“Oh no, that was unfair of me. You did not deserve. . . .” Sebastian swore softly under his breath, then coloured. “I beg your pardon. If what you say is true, then my head has been in the clouds.”

“And mine, too. But not anymore.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“There is nothing more to be said.”

As she bit back a sob, he pushed his chair back, pulling her into his arms. Resting her cheek on his shoulder, she closed her eyes, drinking in the familiar scent of him, surrendering to the comfort of his soothing hand on her hair.

“Is there really no hope?” he asked.