Matthew certainly didn’t seem to like the earl. She shook her head. That made no sense. He’d meant he knew of the earl, didn’t know him personally. She’d mentioned his calling on her, and apparently he hadn’t liked that at all. Matthew had been jealous. But then if he’d been caught in a compromising situation with another woman, she’d have been jealous as well. Although she certainly wouldn’t have immediately assumed that he was the one who led the other to ruin. It had hurt her deeply that he had such a low opinion of her. But then she remembered his wife had been a trickster. His sister and mother as well, it seemed. No wonder he’d found fault with her when they’d first met, but had she not proven herself to him? Or had he been so hurt by the thought of losing her that he’d been unable to think clearly?

Her mind was a fog of confusion, of questions, of anger, of hurt. She needed time to sort it, but the minutes were ticking away.

Shortly before two o’clock, with her head held high, she walked into Mick’s office. He stood before his desk, arms crossed, Aslyn beside him. On one side of his desk was Aiden, Selena, Finn, and Lavinia. On the other side stood Thornley and Gillie. Beast was leaning against a bookcase. He loved books almost as much as she did.

Obviously, Mick had let everyone know about the unfortunate incident, and they’d all gathered to lend their full support.

Mick cleared his throat, released a deep sigh. “Last night, I was remiss in asking you exactly what happened. Would you like to tell us?”

She lifted a shoulder. “He told me Collinsworth had some rare books and offered to show them to me. He said other people would be in the library but no one else was. I know I should have left right then.” She met each gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t.”

“When I walked in, it appeared you were locked in an embrace—”

“He held me, yes. He wanted to kiss me. But I wasn’t having it. However, I know that based on the way he was standing, leaning toward me, to those in the garden, it had to look as though he was. And that’s what people will believe, what he will let them believe. But regardless of what didn’t happen, it doesn’t change the fact that I was alone with him. And because of that, if I don’t take him to husband, I will be ruined.”

“Do you want to marry him?”

Oh God, this was difficult. “You all have worked so very hard to get me to this point. I will do what I must.”