Sarah felt herself exhale. She wasn’t certain when she had last drawn breath. She watched in silence as Lord Ramsgate pulled himself to his feet and left the room. And then she stared at the open doorway, half expecting him to return.

“Sarah?”

Dimly, she registered Hugh’s voice. But she couldn’t tear her eyes from the doorway, and she was shaking . . . her hands were shaking, and maybe her whole body was shaking.

“Sarah, are you all right?”

No. She wasn’t.

“Let me help you.”

She felt Hugh’s arm on her shoulder, and suddenly the shaking intensified, and her legs . . . What was happening to her legs? There was an awful, wrenching noise, and when she gasped for breath, she realized that it had come from her, and then suddenly she was in his arms, and he was carrying her to the bed.

“It’s all right,” he said. “Everything will be all right.”

But Sarah was no fool. And she didn’t feel all right.

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-one

Whipple Hill

Later that evening

Hugh’s hand hovered in the air for a long moment before connecting with the door in a crisp knock. He wasn’t sure what sort of shuffle had taken place among the guests, but Sarah had been moved to a room of her own upon their return to Whipple Hill. Honoria, who had arrived at the White Hart with Marcus shortly after Lord Ramsgate had departed, had set it about that Sarah had reinjured her ankle and needed to rest. If anyone was curious as to why she could not do so in the room she’d been sharing with Harriet, they had not said anything. Probably no one had even noticed.

Hugh had no idea how Daniel was explaining the black eye.

“Enter!” It was Honoria’s voice. This was not a surprise; she had not left Sarah’s side since they’d returned.

“Am I interrupting?” Hugh asked, taking just two steps into the room.

“No,” Honoria said, but he did not see her turn to face him. He could only stare at Sarah, who was sitting up in bed, a mountain of pillows propped behind her back. She was wearing the same white nightgown as—dear God, could that have been just the night before?

“You shouldn’t be here,” Honoria said.

“I know.” But he made no move to leave.

Sarah’s tongue darted out to moisten her lips. “We are betrothed now, Honoria.”

Honoria’s brows rose. “I know as well as anyone that that does not mean he should be in your bedroom.”

Hugh held Sarah’s gaze. This would have to be her decision. He would not force it.

“It has been a most uncommon day,” Sarah said quietly. “This would hardly be the most scandalous moment of it.”