William told Nancy there was to be a gathering held by the Craufords at their London house since the season was just beginning. Nancy and the others would meet Andrew there. When they arrived at the mansion, it was lively and filled with music. There were bright lights and flowers all around the entrance, making Nancy wonder what the inner décor would be like. Would this be my life if I stayed with Andrew? The thought made her uneasy, and not just the prospect of such a life, but that she was questioning whether or not she should stay with Andrew.

Looking back, Nancy did not know what she had been expecting, but it had definitely not been what she saw.

When she stepped inside the large hall, she saw couples dancing in the middle of the floor while chaperons and parents walked around the room, drinking and laughing. Nancy's eyes found him sooner than she thought they would. There he was, in a black suit, with his hair longer than the last time Nancy had seen him, but he still looked as handsome as he ever had. That much she had expected. What was out of place was that he had another girl in his arms as he danced with her. It was Emma Crauford, Nancy realized, the girl she had been delivering a dress to barely a year ago. The girl was dressed in a beautiful blue dress that complimented the crown of blue daisies on her head. Her hair fell in loose ringlets around her shoulders, adding to her innocent look. She was looking up at Andrew shyly as she said something that made him laugh. Nancy watched as he bent down to whisper something in her ear. Barely able to stay upright, Nancy turned around to leave, but William grabbed hold of her arm and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Not yet," he said.

And then Andrew turned around as the song ended. His eyes casually scanned the room and stopped on Nancy for a millisecond. No one would have noticed unless they had been watching carefully. Then they slipped past her as though they had not seen her. This time, William did not stop her as she turned to leave.

The others did not mention what had happened, and Nancy was grateful for that. She did not think she could talk about it just yet. William had arranged for them to go to a play the next night, and try as she might, she could not get herself to look forward to it, despite the fact that it was one of her favorite plays.

Although William did not mention anything that had happened, he watched Nancy carefully for the rest of the day. He had never seen her so low and distracted. He tried, but he could not cheer her up. Even the prospect of her favorite play was not enough to lift her spirits. His anger toward his best friend, though, surpassed his concern for Nancy.

After their carriage arrived at the theater and he made sure that Nancy was inside with Roger and Benjamin, he bid good-bye to the others, telling them he had another important engagement.

"Duke Grafton, your friend is here and requests to see you immediately." Henry, the butler, broke through Andrew's concentration. He had been reading through pages and pages of documents. He looked up, confused.

"Who is it?"

"Young Lord Cooper." For a fleeting moment, Andrew felt excited before the same numb feeling that had been there for the past few months took over him. Why was Henry smiling like this was something that should make Andrew happy?

"I do not have time." Andrew turned away.

"I beg your pardon, Duke Grafton, but Lord Cooper foresaw that you may say that, and he said that for the sake of your lifelong friendship, he requests just a few minutes of your time."

Andrew knew William would not have used such polite words. Henry was definitely rephrasing so as not to offend Andrew. He sighed. "Show him to the sitting room."

Henry bowed and exited.

When Andrew entered the sitting room, William was standing with his back to the entrance, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked at one of the paintings on the walls.

"An original by Nicolas Lancret," Andrew said, referring to the painting.

William turned around. "Hello, Duke Grafton."

The use of his title and the coldness in William's voice sent a chill down Andrew's spine, but he did not comment on it. "What brings you here?"

"Is it now a crime to visit an old friend?"

"Without prior notice?" Andrew took a seat. "I am the Duke of Grafton now. I have more responsibilities than you can even begin to imagine. I would prefer if you would let me know beforehand if you suddenly decide to pay me a visit."

"I thought you would know I'd be paying you a visit soon. Unless you are telling me that you did not see me yesterday night at the Crauford's?" William sat down across from him.

"I did see you. What brings you all the way to London so suddenly?"

"Andrew, I do not have time for this. Let us get down to why I am actually here, at your house, against my will. I am sure you know."

Andrew did not reply. He only watched William steadily.

"I ask this of you as an old friend. Meet her once." William's voice was calm and composed, but Andrew could almost see the underlying anger.

"What is it to you?" Andrew snarled.

"The fact that you told me to watch over her and I have been doing so for months now. The fact that you risked everything—your mother's wrath and your family's reputation—to marry her. The fact that she has been in unimaginable danger for the past year solely because of you. The fact that she deserves better than a coward like you."

"You think I am not aware of the danger she has been in? You think I have not done everything in my power to keep her safe?" His own anger, which had been at bay for the past few weeks, began to rise. "You think this is not difficult for me?"

"What are you talking about, Andrew?" William shot back. "You just decided to throw yourself at another girl and cut Nancy out of your life. Do you deny it?" When Andrew did not respond, William continued. "Meet her once and let her go. You owe her that much."

Nancy's eyes opened at the soft knock on her motel door. She had not really been sleeping and did not think she would be able to sleep for a long time yet. She sat up and pulled on a robe. "Come in."

William stepped inside. "I am sorry to disturb you, Nancy."

"You didn't disturb me. Come in. I could use some company."

He smiled but did not make any move to come closer. "It would be my pleasure, but you must go to the lounge immediately."

Nancy frowned in confusion. "Why?"

"Just trust me."

She entered the lounge a few minutes later, fully dressed and not sure what to expect. William was not one for surprises, so she was curious as to what this was all about. For some odd reason, when she saw who awaited her, she was not particularly surprised.

"Hello, Andrew." She still stood at the entrance. "Did William insist you come here? You didn't have to."

"He did, actually." Andrew's voice was cold. "What brings you all the way to London?"

"I was worried about you." Nancy walked forward and sat down across from him. His cold look made her heart beat faster, and she remembered the terror she used to feel in his presence when she had first met him.

"Thank you for your concern. I am doing quite well."

Nancy nodded. "Is that it?"

Andrew laughed humorlessly. "What were you expecting? That I would tell you to wait for me? That I would declare my undying love for you? That was all child's play." There was no warmth in his eyes, no teasing look such as Nancy remembered. "I am the Duke of Grafton now, and I don't have time for these petty things."

Nancy felt as though the world had turned upside down, and a shiver ran down her spine at his words. Unbidden, tears welled up in her eyes, and she did not make an effort to stop them. "Why did you marry me then? Set me free. Let me get on with my life."

"With pleasure." He stood up. "It will be done by the end of this month. You will not have to worry about me again and come all the way to London to check up on me."

Then he was gone.

When William found her an hour later, all the tears had dried up. She sat there, staring at the floor, her eyes red and puffy. Wordlessly, William opened his arms and Nancy rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

Andrew stormed into the house, banging the door closed behind him. Two of his mother's servants ran into the main hallway to see what the commotion was about, but, at the sight of Andrew, they cringed and retreated. Ignoring them, he made his way upstairs and into his mother's large study, where he knew he would find her. As expected, since it had become the norm now, Sarah was with her. The women seemed to be in the middle of a conversation, and they looked up at his arrival.

Andrew walked over to stand in front of his mother. "Are you satisfied now?" he snarled. "Is your life's mission fulfilled?"

His mother looked at him unblinkingly. It was Sarah who spoke up. "What are you talking about, Andrew?" Andrew ignored his cousin.

"I did not acknowledge her in front of everyone at the Craufords, like you told me to, since you had people following her the moment she got off the train. I made sure she saw me with that stupid Emma girl, like you told me to. And now I've told her I will cut off all ties with her, like you told me to." Andrew raised his fist and smashed the mirror on the wall next to him. A sharp pain shot up his arm. Sarah gasped in surprise, but his mother continued to watch him steadily. "The only woman your son ever truly loved is now out of his life. Are you satisfied?"

His mother rose to her feet. "This is all for your own good, Andrew. You will realize that with time."

"I have realized all I need to." Blood ran down his fingers, and he could feel the shards of glass in his skin. "Now I would appreciate if you kept your side of the agreement and stopped your men from following her everywhere. If any harm ever comes to her—ever—I will make you regret the day you gave birth to me."

"Andrew—" Sarah started to say, tears streaming down her face.

Andrew rounded on her. "You are dead to me."Feeling an odd sense of satisfaction at the helpless and hurt expression on herface, he turned to go. He knew his mother was probably manipulating Sarah insome way too, but that did not stop him from hating her for not supporting him,like she always had.

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