Only tonight, he couldn’t escape the vision of her startled expression when he’d been required to give not only his name but his title. He’d known the court would insist on a full identification because his position among the aristocracy lent credence to his words, would help ensure that Dibble was adequately punished for the harm he’d caused, not only recently, but years ago. Even if the ancient news had not been brought to light in the courtroom, he knew it and had insisted the man not be let off lightly. The toad’s day in court had been merely for show.

Matthew hadn’t meant for her to find out the truth of him in such a public setting and with no warning. He’d considered writing her a letter because he had known once she married Beresford, their paths would undoubtedly cross. He had intended to be polite, but cold, not to let her see how her trickery had wounded him to the core not only because he had so misjudged her but because it had meant he couldn’t have her for the remainder of his life.

He’d fallen in love with her, damn it. Felled without realizing it. Wanted her as his wife.

But she’d grown impatient, wanted her lord.

Seeing her today had been at once a joyous and sorrow-filled moment. The sight of her still caused his heart to expand; the truth of her caused him to realize that when it came to women, he was an awful judge of character. He never would have expected Fancy Trewlove to use underhanded means to gain what she’d wanted. And he’d begun to believe she had a care for him, that if he asked for her hand, she would choose him, not knowing he had a title.

But now she knew, and he still wanted her. With everything within him. If she had known who he was, if she had sought to have them discovered in a compromising position so he would have had to marry her—he wouldn’t have cared, because he would have had her in his life.

With her legs drawn up, Fancy sat in the window seat with her cheek resting on her knees and gazed at the darkened windows across the way. Since Matthew’s departure, she ended every night in the same manner.

No, not Matthew. Rosemont.

Was she destined to have those she loved keep the truth of things from her?