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Ava cast Jerome a look he couldn’t read. Half fearful, half pleading, he thought. She slid out of the bed, clutching his banyan, and followed Sarah to the door. When the women had left, Jerome slumped back against the pillows for a moment in relief. Then he cast off the bedclothes and stood up.

“If you hurt her, I swear I will—” said Robert tightly.

Jerome cut him off, arrested in his trajectory toward the basin and ewer. “I would never hurt her. You have my word on that.”

The two men stared at each other for a full minute in silence, and then Robert’s rigid posture eased as if he had seen something in Jerome’s eyes that reassured him. “Very well.”

Jerome continued onto the dresser where he poured cold water into the bowl and dunked his aching head.

Toweling his head and face dry, he said, “This is precisely the thing I was trying to avoid, Rob. It’s why I offered for Isabella.”

“Do you love Isabella?”

“No. I respect and esteem her, but no, I don’t love her. I hoped I would come to feel affection for her in time—” He let out a breath.

“And Ava?”

Jerome swallowed and said quietly. “I love her with all my heart.”

Robert looked at him for a moment and then came and hugged him. “Then you will care for her as she should be cared for.”

“I’ll try my damnedest.”

“You’d better, or I’ll put your balls in a vice and turn the screw!”

Jerome’s lips twisted in a half smile. It was an old joke. He turned back to the bowl to wash the rest of him and Robert said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You warned me off, remember? Two years ago.” And you don’t know what happened with Charis Dunsenay. If you did, you’d not let me near your precious sister.

“God, yes. Well, I wanted her to marry someone younger. You’ve been like a brother to her. It seemed obscene.”

“Precisely! Do you think I haven’t thought that myself? I didn’t choose it. I just—couldn’t help it!” Jerome plunged the cloth in the water and rinsed it. Which was the truth he’d struggled with the for the past two years. God help me, I tried!

“Yes, well, it’s to be hoped you can keep her from disgracing the family name, because I sure as hell can’t. On refection, Haldane wouldn’t have been able to either. She’d have led him a merry dance. He’s by far too sweet tempered.”

Jerome lathered up his chin and set the razor to his skin. He felt a strange lightness of being taking possession of his body. He’d been steeped in misery for so long. The feeling was foreign, and it took him a while to recognize it. It was burgeoning happiness. Ava is mine. A smile broke out across his face as he stared in the mirror. Ava is going to be my wife.