“Have you read it?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Garrett made his way to the large window at the front of the drawing room. He took a deep breath and bent his head toward the letter. His eyes scanned the page.

Upton,

If you are reading this, the worst has happened. We’ve shared many awful days together, my friend, and there’s no one else I’d rather die next to. You’re a good patriot, a good soldier, and a good man. If you find your way home, please take care of Isabella and the children. That is my dying wish. I could think of no better man to be in my stead. I must know that my family is taken care of. Always. They mean everything to me. I know you will do right by them. You have my eternal thanks.

Yours,

C. H. Langford

Garrett rubbed his thumb across Harold’s familiar signature. He still missed him. He folded the letter and slid it into his inside coat pocket, pressing it against his shoulder. A crushing weight settled over him as the import of the words he’d read hit him square in the chest. Harold had wanted Garrett to take care of his family.

Why in the hell hadn’t Isabella given him this letter long before now?

“There’s something else,” Isabella whispered.

“What is it?” Garrett had asked quietly.

Isabella took a deep breath. “I am with child.”

Garrett’s brows snapped together and his head jerked up to face her. “What?”

She pressed a handkerchief against her nose. Her eyes filled with tears. “I’ll be ruined if I don’t marry quickly.”

Garrett stepped closer to her and searched her face for the truth. “You weren’t planning on telling me that before now? What about the baby’s father?”

“I’m sorry, Garrett. I’m desperate. I don’t know where to turn. The baby’s father is not in a position to marry me, and I wouldn’t have him if he was.” She turned away abruptly on a sob, pressing the handkerchief to her mouth.

“Isabella, I—”

Her voice shook with her tears. “The children and I will be outcasts. We’ll have to leave London.” She turned and dropped to her knees in front of him. “Garrett, you must save us. We need you. Please.”

The import of her words pressed on Garrett’s stomach. He felt as if he were going to retch. Isabella was asking him to make the ultimate commitment to ensure she and the children were taken care of for good, safe from scandal.