“Well, let me see, when I won the marker two nights ago it was worth double what you originally signed for. I suppose it would be more than that now. However, I think I can dispense with the interest earned since then. It does seem ridiculously exorbitant for just a week’s time. So just the amount I was to win would suit me fine. It shall keep the creditors at bay and give me plenty of time to find another bride.”

“Double?” her father asked, sounding faint.

Jeremy’s eyebrows beetled with concern. “Surely you aren’t surprised? You did read the marker before you signed it?”

Lord Madison dropped her arm and Suzette peered at him with concern. It seemed obvious that her father hadn’t read the marker, but then if he’d been drugged and basically robbed, she supposed he wouldn’t have. Certainly, the amount had taken him by surprise and left him looking pale and old. He didn’t have enough money from the sale of the townhouse to cover it, Suzette realized.

“It’s all right, Father,” she said quietly. “Jeremy said he would forgive the marker if we married and that is what we shall do.”

“I am most amenable to that, my lord,” Jeremy said quietly.

“No,” her father said faintly, and then grabbing her arm again he said more strongly, “No. Come. We will talk to Richard first.” He had only taken two steps before he paused abruptly and muttered, “They aren’t here. They have gone to make Daniel—they should be back soon.”

“They should have been back two hours ago,” Suzette said grimly, silently finishing off the sentence in her head. They have gone to make Daniel marry her? Fulfill his promise? She had thought they had gone to ask him why he had rejected her, but instead she was suddenly sure they had gone to basically force him to wed her. What a choice. Life with a man who seemed nice enough, and whom she might grow to feel affection for eventually, or a man she loved with all her heart, who was forced to marry her and would then resent her for it all the days of their lives while her love died a thousand deaths? Hard choice, Suzette thought bitterly and raised her chin. “Obviously, Daniel is not eager to be made to do anything. And frankly, I wouldn’t want him at this point anyway if he was forced to marry me. I shall marry Jeremy. The marker will be paid off through my dower and never be brought up again.”

“Suzette,” her father said worriedly, but she shook off his hand and turned to Jeremy.

“If you are still amenable, of course, my lord,” she added more quietly.

“Of course,” he said at once.

She nodded and turned to start onto the path.