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His whole life—his future happiness—hung on this one decision He wasn’t sure how they would survive the lies, the deceit, how they would live in the afterave the only answer he could under the circumstances The only answer his heart would allow

“Yes, Cassandra I will marry you”

Chapter Five

When Lady Cassandra Millsof the year, the decade With her racefully down the aisle in a dress designed exclusively by Madame de La Tour and show the world that power and position mattered ent to live life frolance around Mayfair to know that strength caht connections

During the last five years she had worked tirelessly, convincing herself that real ladies made sacrifices Blue bloods had a responsibility that went beyond the real, she had lost herself She had becoaood

But now, as she stood opposite Benedict Cavanagh in her father’s drawing rooic event that changed her life, she had never been more terrified

The joining of two people should be a happy affair, and yet practically every person in the rooarth did not look at her once but kept his intense gaze focused on his beloved son Mr Das with solereed to take her for his wife Thea wake, not a wedding

The three people there to offer her support—her father and her friends Miss Sybil Atwood and Miss Rosa arrived late—looked on with faces ood dose of pity

And then there was Benedict

He looked so handsome in his dark blue coat The dia froinedhim A romantic union under an arbour of white and pink roses A tiaiety But there were no flowers today, no s onto a road that was sure to lead to disaster

The last few minutes of the service passed by in a blur Only when Benedict placed a guiding hand at her back and steered her towards their guests did the gravity of what they’d done hit her How did one salvage soed by harsh words, battered by the cruel hand of fate?

“You declined Worthen’s offer of a wedding breakfast?” Mr Wycliff placed his hand on Benedict’s shoulder—a gesture of support and friendship “There’s to be no celebration?”

Benedict’s downturned arth and Worthen cannot tolerate each other’s coh expect the announcement will cause another bitter row”

“My father insists we live here until we find a more suitable place to reside” Cassandra’s stomach roiled with nerves His friends would never approve of her, but she could not remain silent her entire life “Benedict refused, but les to accept other people’s opinions”

Oh, Lord! Her chest was so tight she thought she ht swoon