But a thorough check of the room had yielded no sign of it, and now doubts were creeping into Reese’s mind. What if Singleton had hidden the journal in a locked drawer or safe? What if he’d decided to keep it with him, and it was tucked inside the pocket of his bloody evening jacket right now?

Frustrated, he grabbed a fistful of hair and cursed under his breath.

“Is someone there?” the maid called out, her voice threaded with alarm.

Damn it. He quickly debated whether to reveal himself now or to pretend to be passed out. Heaving a sigh, he rose on his haunches and—

“Where have you been, lass?” asked an older female in a scolding tone. “The mistress has been asking for her lorgnette. Can ye not find it?”

“Ah, here it is,” the young maid replied, “hiding beneath a cushion.”

Reese went still as a statue as she leaned over the sofa.

“Hurry along, then.” The older woman clucked her tongue. “Lady S. isn’t a patient sort.”

He waited until he heard the door click shut behind them, then sprang to his feet. The diary wasn’t there in the drawing room—and he was running out of time. To make good on his promise to Sophie, he needed to find out exactly where Singleton had hidden her journal, and soon.

Which meant Reese would have to put in an appearance at the ball—his first in approximately three years. Even worse, he’d have to dance.

For several minutes after Reese left Sophie in the garden, she remained sitting on the bench, perilously close to tears. She’d thought she could set aside her own feelings and desires to help her family. Moreover, she’d thought that she should—that it was the noble and selfless thing to do.

But now she knew differently. Binding herself to Lord Singleton wouldn’t save her family. Only love could do that.

Papa needed to find the strength and support necessary to curb his drinking.

Mama needed to find the backbone to hold Papa accountable for his behavior.

And Mary—well, Mary needed to find a reason to occasionally leave her bedchamber.

Sophie loved her family dearly, but she was not going to fix all their problems by marrying Lord Singleton. They might be granted a temporary reprieve, but, eventually, Papa would accrue more debt, Mama would continue to make excuses for him, and Mary would remain cloistered in her safe, sheltered world.

Meanwhile, Sophie would find herself chained to a man who thought that the wonderful sisterhood she’d created was dangerous and subversive. She’d wake up every morning feeling miserable, knowing she’d thrown away the rare and precious gift that Reese had given her—his unwavering love.