Page 73 of The Botanist’s Improper Bride

“There’s too much risk.”

It was as if the other man couldn’t hear him at all. His expression had flattened and it was clear he had no interest in engaging in a proper discussion of the options. But Trevor couldn’t let him leave without trying his hardest to dissuade him from pushing Seraphina toward Emerson. It would hurt Seraphina if her father turned against her.

“Not only do I outrank Mr. Emerson, but I also outrank you,” Trevor said quietly, not liking the fact he’d had to mention his position at all. “How do you plan to explain to the gossips of the ton that you turned down a titled lord in favor of an untitled gentleman? They’ll wonder if something untoward has happened.”

Mr. Dalton’s mouth firmed into a grim line. “We’ll call it a love match.”

Trevor snorted. A love match. As if Seraphina would play along with that. The man was making no sense whatsoever, and it seemed like he wouldn’t be swayed by logic or rationality. Meanwhile, Seraphina was presumably alone, scared for the future, and coming up with God only knew what plot to try to extricate herself from the situation.

He needed to talk to her, and that wouldn’t happen as long as Mr. Dalton was seated in Trevor’s office. It would be best to get rid of him so that he could contact her and find out whether she was all right. He hated the thought of how upset she must have been when Mr. Emerson blindsided her by going to her father. Sera was strong, but facing down two opinionated men on her own wouldn’t have been easy.

He wanted to go to her. Now.

Unfortunately, nothing was ever that easy.

“A love match?” he echoed, realizing the silence had dragged on for too long. “If you believe that will work. I’m sure you know more about the machinations of the ton than I do.”

Mr. Dalton blinked at him, clearly taken aback by Trevor’s response, likely not having expected him to concede the point when they both knew it was a weak argument. “Chester will persuade the others to believe whatever he tells them.”

Trevor had no doubt of that—provided that Seraphina didn’t speak out against him. Mr. Emerson had proven himself adept at influencing the opinions of those around him.

“He can be quite persuasive,” Trevor said because he didn’t know what else to say and Mr. Dalton obviously expected a reply.

Quite an arse. No, more like Nerium oleander. Unassuming but dangerously toxic.

“So, we understand each other?” Mr. Dalton asked, rising from the chair. “Seraphina will marry Mr. Emerson, and you have my most heartfelt apology. If there’s anything you ever need from me, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

I need you to care more about your daughter than yourself.

Alas, that didn’t seem like a viable option.

Trevor inclined his head in something that might be mistaken for agreement. He couldn’t actually bring himself to lie. “You can show yourself out.”

Mr. Dalton bowed, obsequiously low, and excused himself quickly, no doubt before Trevor changed his mind.

As soon as he was alone, Trevor wanted nothing more than to summon his horse and ride over to the Dalton residence. Unfortunately, since Mr. Dalton had literally not even left Wembley House yet and had supposedly broken off the betrothal, he had no good excuse to drop by. Instead, he found an unused piece of paper and penned a letter to Seraphina.

Miss Dalton,

I just received an unexpected call from your father to sever our betrothal.

I hope you’re well and that you know I will stand by your side whatever you decide to do next. As far as I’m concerned, we are still engaged to be married until I hear otherwise directly from your lips.

I remain your faithful supporter,

Trevor, Lord Fitzgerald

He reread the letter and, finding it satisfactory, summoned a footman and asked him to deliver it directly to Seraphina’s lady’s maid, Bessie, and no one else.

Next, he spoke to the butler about what he’d discovered regarding Emerson’s footman’s nephew. Then, knowing they needed to act swiftly lest Seraphina find herself involuntarily married to Emerson, he sat for several minutes, pondering the most sensible way forward.

In the end, he could see only one option that might end happily for him and Seraphina, so he called his valet to change into more suitable attire for the Doctors’ Commons, and set off on a mission to procure a special license.

After all, Seraphina could hardly marry Emerson if she was already married to him.

CHAPTER 26

“I’m sorry,” Seraphina said, the moment Letitia entered the parlor she’d been shown to. “I shouldn’t have come here, but I didn’t know where else to go.”