Of course, Grandfather had given his blessing. He’d been taken in by Sebastian’s charm. And it wasn’t until it was too late that Veronica had learned the truth.

“You were going to say something else?” Mama gently prodded from her chair across from Veronica.

Veronica opened her eyes again and nodded. “It’s just that…I cannot abide cheating,” she finally replied, a fierce note in her voice.

“I don’t blame you, darling,” Mama said, nodding. “It broke my heart.”

“But you had a choice, you could have—” Veronica swallowed. There was no use blaming and judging her mother. The woman had been through enough and her husband was dead. It didn’t matter that Mama hadn’t sent Father away, hadn’t forced him to stay in London far away from their family. Veronica had separated herself from her husband, but Mama was different. Veronica would do well to remember that.

“I’m sorry, Mama.” Veronica stood and walked to her mother. She leaned down and kissed her mama’s forehead. “I only want this holiday to be happy for Grandpapa. I’m going to bed.” She turned and made her way toward the door.

“Veronica.” Her mother’s voice stopped her.

“Yes?” she replied, turning halfway.

“Thank you for bringing Sebastian. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to give him a second chance.”

Veronica swallowed the lump in her throat. Her poor sweet mother didn’t understand. Perhaps she never would. Mama had given Father what felt like a hundred chances. He’d never changed. “Sebastian had his chance, Mama,” Veronica replied softly, before striding from the room.

Chapter Eleven

After leaving the drawing room, Veronica’s pace slowed. She nearly dragged her feet along the runner that led down the corridor toward the grand staircase. But no amount of dawdling could keep her from the bedchamber she shared with Sebastian all night.

Sebastian had already gone up. She knew as much when she walked past the dining room where the men had been left to their port. The room was empty and dark. Of course, it was possible that Sebastian had returned to the billiards’ room with Justin, but somehow, she doubted it. She wouldn’t be that fortunate.

Reluctantly, Veronica made her way up the staircase. When she finally entered the bedchamber, Sebastian was nowhere to be found, but Mary was waiting for her in the connected dressing room. Veronica entered the dressing room and removed her clothing as slowly as possible. But again, it was no use. Eventually, wearing her dressing gown, she was forced to return to the bedchamber, where her husband had materialized. He was propped up in bed, pillows behind his head, shirt off, and God-knew-what-else off beneath the covers. In addition to the fire in the fireplace, a pair of candles burned on the mantel across the room, casting the room in a shadowy glow. It was almost romantic.

As Mary took her leave, Veronica dragged her bare feet along the rug, making snail-like progress toward the bed. She averted her gaze, trying to ignore the tantalizing sight of Sebastian’s bare, muscled chest. She climbed atop the mattress and pulled the covers to her neck, then turned to face the wall.