“I know about your family’s financial woes,” he countered. “I don’t have a vast fortune to offer you, but everything I have is yours. I’ve already begun making payments to creditors and balancing the books. The problem is, it’s a big ship to steer … and it’s going to take a little time.”

“My time has run out. My father is greatly indebted to the marquess. Charles has paid off all of Papa’s creditors, including several substantial gambling debts.”

Reese shook his head firmly. “I don’t see what that has to do with you.”

“I think you do. Charles made those payments as part of the marriage settlement that he and Papa negotiated. But the payments are also a favor to me, because they mean I don’t have to jump out of my skin every time there’s a knock on the door, fearing that someone’s come to haul my father away to debtors’ prison. They mean Mama and Mary will be provided for and their future is secure.”

“I want to be the one to take care of you and your family.”

“But you can’t,” she said softly. “Not yet.”

Reese looked at her like she’d driven a dagger through his chest. “Not yet,” he repeated hollowly.

As much as she hated to see the hurt on his face, she wouldn’t apologize for surviving—or for choosing the path that would save her family. Raising her chin a notch, she said, “I’ve been truthful from the beginning. My relationship with Charles is nothing like the one I have with you, but I must make the best of it.”

“I know,” Reese said, apologetic. He hopped off the swing and paced in front of her. “But you shouldn’t have to settle. You deserve to be happy, Soph. If you were mine, I’d make you smile every goddamned day. No one could possibly love you more than I do.”

She could hear the urgency in his voice; she could see the earnestness on his face. His declaration filled her heart with bliss—and still, it couldn’t change anything.

“That is the most lovely thing anyone has ever said to me,” she whispered. “And I appreciate the sentiment more than you know.”

He dropped to his knees and reached for her hands, clasping them between his. “It’s not a sentiment, Soph. It’s the truth. You’ve changed me in ways I never expected. You’ve made me see there’s more to life than nightmares and guilt and pain. You showed me that behind the shadows there are also light and hope and love.”

A tear trickled down her cheek and plopped onto their joined hands. “Of course there are. No matter what happens, there are always light and hope and love.” She needed him to believe that now, more than ever.