The tears flowed freely now, so overcome that I was past feeling any shame. “Now I am free of Allerton, but I am without a husband, and back to where I started—worse off, in fact, because now I have no prospects and no time in which to find one. My reputation is ruined. I am scorned, and pitied, and now no one would take me even if I begged.” William loosened his hold to look down at me and glance between my eyes. “. . . I would take you,” he murmured.
