If she wasn’t marrying him for such self-serving reasons, Sapphire would worry the Twins had touched her.
“We won’t need this for some time,” Sir Matthias said, “but if we are ever blessed with a child, can you set up something for our children like Gregory Darrington did for Sapphire?”
“A child?” Sapphire said, the words sticking in her throat. She hadn’t ever considered such a thing, and the idea stole the breath from her chest.
A child with Sir Matthias. Not impossible as he’d demanded a real marriage, and yet… By the gods, why hadn’t she considered that? It would change everything, make a divorce almost impossible… And give her a family again.
Too many emotions jumbled together for Sapphire to make sense of them.
Mr. Hewitt fixed his sharp gaze on Sir Matthias. “You understand that would exclude you from the inheritance?”
“I figure Gregory Darrington would rather it go to his grandchildren, and I want the same protections in place.”
“I will start preparing the trusts as soon as there are children.”
Sapphire rose, hiding how unsteady she was under a pretty smile. “Thank you for everything, Mr. Hewitt. We’ll be heading out of town after the wedding, but if you could change the third signatory from my grandfather to Sir Matthias, I would appreciate it.”
“I will send for the marriage documents in the morning. Once I have those, I will make sure it’s changed the same day. It was a pleasure to see you, Miss Darrington, and congratulations to you and Sir Matthias. It’s good to know Miss Darrington has better sense than her mother.”
Sapphire bit back a smile as she turned and her gaze landed on the miniature of Mr. Hewitt and her father together.
A child. Family. The things her father had prized most.
She missed him so much. Missed the quiet afternoons reading to him or helping him with the ledgers. Missed his laugh and the way it could fill a room. Missed being loved unconditionally.
She would never have that again.
Sapphire blinked back her tears as she turned back to her trustee. “Please say nothing of this to my grandfather.”
“You can always rely on my discretion, and I assure you, I look forward to the day we are done with Lord Carsons.” Mr. Hewitt bowed to Sapphire and shook Sir Matthias’s hand.
Sir Matthias then pulled Sapphire’s arm through his and led her back to the carriage. Once they were inside, he turned to her. “Are you okay?”
“A lot of memories,” she confessed.
He linked his fingers with hers and thumbed over her knuckles. The simple gesture soothed her more than it should and reminded her she was making the right decision.
One her father would understand.
She hoped.
“You ready?” Sir Matthias asked.
Sapphire’s stomach coiled, but she nodded.
Sir Matthias directed the driver to the Temple of Thalia.
Chapter 8
The sun had sunk low in the sky when Sapphire’s carriage pulled up in front of the alabaster temple dedicated to Thalia. Sapphire sensed the goddess’s presence, a quiet calm that filled her and promised she was loved.
The silver flame that illuminated the center of the church spilled across the wide front steps, chasing away the darkness and shadows.
The fluttering in Sapphire’s stomach settled.
She was doing the right thing.
Sir Matthias would never hurt her or any of the people that relied on her, and the marriage would protect her from her grandfather. In four years, she’d come into her inheritance and could set up an irrevocable trust so the money went to charity upon her death.
She’d make certain Lord Carsons was well aware he’d never touch Gregory Darrington’s fortune, no matter what he did to her.
“You okay?” Sir Matthias asked as he offered Sapphire his hand.
Swallowing, she straightened her spine, accepted his hand, and stepped out of the carriage. With her head held high, Sapphire walked beside him, letting the silver light chase away the dark thoughts.
Today was a happy day.
She wouldn’t let her grandfather ruin it.
Before the thought had evaporated, a pair of shadows slid along the edge of the steps, then stepped out toward her and Sir Matthias, each wielding a pair of daggers.
“Hand over the girl and all yer coins. Jewels, too,” the first man drawled.
One of Sapphire’s footmen shielded her from them while the other grabbed his sword from the top of the carriage.
Sir Matthias dropped his hand to his sword hilt as he studied the two thugs.
“You heard him,” the second man said, but his words were less certain.
“I am a Knight of Valor, and I do not wish to stain the steps of Thalia’s Cathedral red. But I will.” Drawing his sword, Sir Matthias pointed it at the two hoodlums, and holy fire shot down his sword’s length.
Several onlookers screamed and fled, raising the alarm. The two thieves swallowed as they stared at the glowing sword, then at the Knight of Valor.
Turning, they disappeared into the crowd.
Sapphire let out of the breath she’d been holding as Sir Matthias slid an arm around her.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
He seemed to be asking that a lot. Probably because she wasn’t, but Sapphire nodded even as her hands trembled. It had been a terrible robbery attempt, and even her footmen could have handled them. Still, it added to the weight in her stomach.
“He didn’t even hire decent thugs,” Sapphire murmured.
Sir Matthias frowned, but he said nothing more as he escorted her into the goddess of compassion and light’s temple. Sapphire was still shaking as she walked among the pews to the front row, and she silently cursed her grandfather. She would not let him steal this day from her, and she would escape from him.
Blowing out a breath, she glanced at the handful of worshippers seated at the front of the church, their velvet cloaks and silk dresses setting them apart from most of Thalia’s followers.
Sapphire sat, allowing the silver light wash over her. Her cynical side whispered there would always be fewer wealthy patrons of Thalia. Far harder to hide the taint of Rashalee when standing before Thalia’s flame than when paying homage to Dracor or Serena. She wondered if her grandfather could even set foot in the temple.
Few priests or priestesses served in the main temple at this hour as they were preparing soup and bread to serve to those in need. But as Sapphire scanned the temple, she saw Priestess Rena speaking to another worshiper.
Finishing her prayers to Thalia, Sapphire linked her fingers with Sir Matthias. “You can still back out.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “A Knight of Valor never goes back on his word, though I’m worried about you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Well enough, though no one has ever tried to rob me before.” Sapphire tried to sound flippant and failed.
“It was a poor attempt. Your footmen could have stopped them.”
“Maybe, but what do you expect of men foolish enough to commit such a sin on the steps of Thalia’s Cathedral?”
Matthias thumbed over her knuckles. “I’m worried about you.”
“You said that already, and you’ll have a lot less to worry about after we’re married.” Sapphire lifted her gaze to his and allowed herself a moment to study him. His hazel eyes were soft in the silver light as a lock of his sandy-blond hair teased over his forehead. She wanted to run her fingers through it. Wanted to feel his lips on hers.