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Marina knew her mother meant well. Anna remembered the daughter who had once spoken so eagerly of marriage and children, who had believed that having a family of her own would be the greatest happiness imaginable. But Marina was no longer quite that young woman.

“I know I wanted those things once,” Marina finally answered, unable to conceal the sadness in her voice. “I suppose I am afraid of finding that what I wanted so much is not what will make me happy.”

Her mother’s expression flickered. Marina knew what her mother had heard in those words. Not a daughter who had ceased wanting a family, but one who had grown so accustomed to disappointment that she scarcely dared to hope for anything different.

The cottage had become her refuge. It was lonely at times, certainly, but it was a loneliness she understood. She knew how to live with it.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Sophia leaned forward.

“What if she is afraid, Mama?”

Marina looked up.

Sophia was watching their mother, but her gaze shifted toward Marina as she continued. “Perhaps that is the problem. She has made a life for herself here, and whatever people say about her, no one can take that life away. If she marries this duke, she will have to trust him with everything she has worked so hard to protect.”

Marina’s throat tightened. For one uncomfortable moment, she wondered whether her younger sister could somehow read her mind.

She did not deny it, because she was afraid. Terribly so.

And yet there was the abandoned child, a little girl.

A little girl who had been abandoned, who needed someone to love her. Marina could not think of the child without remembering the words her own husband had spoken on their wedding day, when he had made it perfectly clear that a daughter would never be welcome in his home.

The Duke of Griffin, whatever else might be said of him, had chosen to protect a little girl who was not his own.

That had to count for something.

“I am not saying you must refuse him,” Sophia added gently. “Only that you ought to be certain he will allow you to remain yourself.”

Marina managed a small smile. “That may prove difficult. He seems to believe he can arrange the entire world to his liking.”

“Then perhaps he has finally met someone who will disappoint him.”

“On that point, at least, I have considerable experience.”

Her mother gave a soft laugh, though her eyes were still troubled.

“I only want you to be happy, Marina,” Anna said. “Whatever you decide.”

“I know, Mother.”

Before anyone could say more, the sound of carriage wheels reached them from outside.

Sophia turned toward the window. “I believe your duke has arrived.”

“He is not my duke,” Marina replied automatically, although her heart had begun beating rather faster than before.

Through the gathering dusk, a handsome carriage was making its way along the lane, its lamps glowing against the gray afternoon. The sight of it made everything suddenly real. She had spent three days wondering what she ought to do, and now she was expected to walk into Griffin Manor and face the man responsible for all her confusion.

Marina rose and glanced down at her gown.

“I had better make myself presentable.”

Sophia smiled. “I thought his appearance was of no importance.”

“It is not. But that does not mean I intend to arrive looking as though I have spent the afternoon digging in the garden.”