Constance emerged from the inn. She wore a modest walking dress of brown velvet, no piping, no lace, no ornamentation, and yet, the quality of the fabric and the workmanship proclaimed it to be a costly garment. Her beaded reticule caught the morning light, offering another advertisement of her social standing.

“Constance would be better off attempting to win Shaw’s approval without a duke on her arm,” Robert said.

“If you were not on her arm, Quinn would be,” Stephen replied, a kindly observation, however grudging it sounded. “If Quinn weren’t a duke, he’d still be a banker awash in wealth or a man who escaped the gallows. When people are determined to be hateful, they can find any number of excuses for their meanness.”

“True enough.”

“I happened to overhear the blacksmith’s apprentice and his older brother enjoying their ale last evening.”

The weight on Robert’s heart became heavier. “And?”

“Shaw has put his house up for sale. He’s booked passage to the Antipodes for himself and his niece in about one month’s time. Nobody will miss him, but the whole village feels sorry for the girl.”

“As do I, and I haven’t even met her.” Constance waved and stepped off the inn’s front porch, her stride confident, her expression cheerful. Robert fell in love with her all over, for the thousandth time. “She smiles when a lesser woman would be cowering in her room, clutching her handkerchief, and praying for a miracle.”

“A lesser woman would never have thrown in her lot with you, Rothhaven.” Stephen took off his glasses and polished them on the sleeve of his coat. “Have I mentioned that breaking my sister’s heart will considerably shorten your life expectancy?”

Despite all inclination to the contrary, Robert found himself taking a liking to Constance’s younger brother.

“Nathaniel warned me that yours is a violent version of fraternal devotion. If you can tell me the name of the ship the reverend is traveling on, I can possibly buy it, and at least delay his departure.”

“Impressive,” Stephen said, putting his glasses back on. “I hadn’t thought of that tactic, though if you delay Shaw’s passage, you will infuriate a man already predisposed to righteous ire.”

“Nothing will part him from his anger, if he’s true to his type. By buying the ship, I might be able to give Constance a few more weeks with her daughter, particularly if Shaw’s house doesn’t sell and he grows short of funds.”

“True,” Stephen said as Constance drew nearer. “I can buy the house and be slow to finalize the sale.”

“That would save me the trouble. Let’s hope none of these machinations will be needed.” Robert tipped his hat to his beloved, and this close, he could see the anxiety clouding her gaze. “Good morning, my dear.”