“And you think you are the one to bring her this supposed happiness?”
Nick looked at Emma, the depth of his devotion plain for all to see. “I know that I am,” he said, his words ringing with conviction.
Joy burst inside Emma like an exploding sun, so that she nearly laughed from the sheer beauty of it. No matter what may come, she vowed, we shall not be parted.
Nick turned his gaze back to Rupert. “I asked you once for your sister’s hand. I ask you again now. Please allow me to marry her. I will happily cede all claims to her fortune. I have a fortune of my own and no need of another. The only thing I want is Emma herself.”
Rupert’s brow drew close and he was silent for a long time as he considered. “I can see that your sentiments are genuine—on both sides,” he conceded. “I realize now the depth of your devotion to each other and cannot help but be moved. Contrary to your opinion, Emmaline, and that of your vastly outspoken friend, Princess Ariadne, I am not without heart.”
Emma flushed, hope rising phoenixlike from the ashes of her earlier disappointment.
“However,” Rupert continued evenly, “I am afraid my hands are tied on the subject of Emmaline’s marriage to the king. More than individual preferences and affection are at play in this matter, and although I might be willing to free her, the breech that would occur between Otto’s country and my own, should she refuse to marry him, would be an irreparable one. The damage might even lead to war. I’m sorry, but I cannot take the risk. My answer to your request must again be no.”
The small flame of hope died in Emma’s chest, pain piercing her as though she had been stabbed through with a blade.
“I am sorry for you both. Truly.”
Emma looked away, unable to meet her brother’s gaze any longer.
“Lord Lyndhurst will leave this house immediately,” Rupert stated with the assured authority of a ruler. “If not voluntarily, then with escort.”
“No—” Emma cried, tears stinging her eyes.
“As for you, Emmaline, you will be confined to your bedchamber until arrangements can be made for you to travel. I think it best if you do return home. You will be wed to the king from our court in Rosewald.”
Tears streamed from her eyes and she buried her face against Nick’s shoulder. She could not allow Rupert to ruin her life. She would not. Yet in spite of her threats, what chance did she or Nick have against the might of her brother?
She crumpled against Nick, letting him hold her in his arms.
“Before a tragedy of epic proportions is set into motion, might I be allowed to make an alternate suggestion?” Sigrid asked, her voice breaking through the dreadful quiet. “I believe I have the solution to all our problems.”
Emma stilled and raised her tearstained face just far enough to see her sister; Nick and Rupert were looking at her too. In the midst of all the talk, Sigrid had been forgotten.
Until now.
Rupert crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh? And what might that be?”
“It’s very simple really,” Sigrid said. “I shall be the one to marry Otto.”
Chapter 28
Emma’s mouth dropped open at Sigrid’s statement, while Rupert’s arms fell to his sides. As for Nick, he arched a brow, clearly surprised but intrigued as he waited to hear more.
Sigrid gave a serene smile. “As I understand the matter, Rupert, you are in need of an alliance with King Otto in order to reaffirm the safety and sovereignty of our borders during this delicate time of negotiation with the Congress of Vienna. Is that correct?”
“In the most basic terms, yes,” Rupert agreed.
Sigrid nodded. “In return, the king wants the very handsome dowry you are offering in order to fatten his flagging royal coffers. Am I correct again?”
Rupert’s mouth twisted wryly. “A bit crudely put, but again, basically accurate.”
“Well then, it seems to me that one sister should be just as good as another. I realize you will have to supplement my own bride price a bit to sweeten the pot, since I am a widow. On the other hand, Carlo left me a considerable inheritance upon his death that I am sure Otto will not be loath to add to his accounts.” She smoothed a hand over her skirt. “So you see, I shall wed Otto and poor Emma will marry her beloved earl.”
Emma met Sigrid’s gaze, all her earlier feelings of anger and betrayal fading as if they had never existed at all. Could the answer really be so easy? Was it possible that she could marry Nick, and Rupert would still be able to achieve the political alliance he required for their country?
But at what price?
“Sigrid, are you sure?” she asked, easing out of Nick’s embrace and crossing to her sister. “This is a tremendous sacrifice that you are offering to make. I do not know that I have any right to ask it of you.”