The familiar feeling of impending doom settled over her like a dark cloud. Killin made a point of asking her to dance at least once at every ball. It was nearly always a march, rarely a galop, which was far too undignified for him, and thankfully it was never a waltz or a polka, which would require him to put his arm around her. His proprietorial air ensured she had no other suitors, the one positive Margaret clung to as she endured his company. His continuous surveillance of her every time they met made her feel like a criminal whose claim to have reformed the judge didn’t quite believe. And yet, he persisted. The only thing constant about him was his determination to get his own way. It was but a matter of time before he claimed her.

And then there was Sebastian. The man she loved, and who she was almost certain loved her in return, even though they had stuck to their resolution never to mention, far less repeat, that one blissful kiss. Their feelings for each other were acknowledged silently every time their eyes met or their hands brushed. Their love could never flourish given the harsh reality of their respective circumstances, but that didn’t stop Margaret from imagining how it might. She spent half her nights lost in an unhinged, romantic fantasy of being with him forever, and the remainder trying to reconcile herself to the marriage which she feared would be announced within a few short weeks. She desperately wanted to live up to the expectations she had worked so hard to cultivate since the start of the year. If she reneged on her betrothal again, she would never be forgiven, and rightly so.

Not that she was planning to renege, she truly wasn’t. In her heart, she knew it was wrong to marry one man while she was in love with another, but she had resolved, back at Dalkeith on Christmas Day, to steel herself to do her duty. So her feelings for Sebastian, no matter how deep they ran, were irrelevant. She was set on a path to marry Killin, and that was what she was going to do. Lenchen’s wedding was to be held on the fifth of July. By the end of that month at the very latest, she would be betrothed to Killin. Her new life as the Countess of Killin was fast approaching.

No, it was hurtling towards her at breakneck speed!

The cab slowed to a halt, and as Molly jumped down to pay the fare Margaret’s heart lifted. Instead of bemoaning what she would come to miss, she would follow Louise’s example and concentrate on making the most of what she had, while she still had it.

“Margaret, it’s so good to see you.” Sebastian rose from his chair as she entered the study, a smile lighting up his face.