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M ary was with Kit and their friends, on the terrace discussing possible entertainments in Edinburgh. Huntley knew there was a theater, and she hoped they could attend a performance. It had been so terribly long since she had been.

The weather had warmed nicely, and the stones of the house radiated the sun’s heat. She sipped a glass of chilled champagne, the first she’d had in ages. This was a celebration of sorts. It was time for her to move on with her life.

Kit hovered near her, as if he knew her plans might not include him.

Eunice strolled out through the French windows holding hands with Mr. Doust, who snatched two glasses from the footman, handing one to her aunt.

He cleared his throat. “We have an announcement. Lady Eunice has done me the great honor of agreeing to be my wife.”

A cheer went up from the men, who descended on Mr. Doust, congratulating him on his lucky catch. The ladies joined Mary in hugging her aunt.

“Oh, I’m so glad for you.” Mary kissed Eunice’s cheek. “You’ve never looked happier.”

“I never thought to be this blissful again.” Eunice returned Mary’s embrace, blinking back tears of joy.

“You will be shocked, but we plan to leave in the morning, and wed in Scotland. I don’t think it is appropriate for me to remain here alone with you away.

You have your friends; you don’t need me.

As luck would have it, when we stopped in at the rectory, a friend of Brian’s, who is also a clergyman, had arrived begging a place to stay.

If not for that, we would have had to wait a few days longer. ”

“I shall miss you, but I don’t want you to delay your happiness because of me.” The one thing she couldn’t see was her aunt residing in the rectory. It was much too small. “But where will you live?”

Eunice’s smile grew larger. “We’ve only just come from viewing a house for sale not far from town. Mr. Doust has already made an offer for it. Although he didn’t tell me that until after I threatened to buy it if he didn’t.”

Kit was again next to Mary, handing her another glass of champagne as he addressed the rector. “If Mary agrees, until the property transfer is complete, you may both stay here. No one will think that at all improper.”

Mr. Doust inclined his head. “Thank you. We’ll take you up on your very kind offer. I don’t know what they were thinking when the rectory was built. The residence is more suited to an office than a home for a couple.”

“How soon will you depart?” Kit asked.

“To-morrow.” Mr. Doust raised Eunice’s hand to his lips. “I’ll see you at dawn. It will take the better part of the day to reach Coldstream.”

“Is that the closest border town?” Mary asked.

“Indeed.” His eyes never left Eunice’s face as he continued. “The road going there is not as good as the North Road, but it’s ten miles closer, and there is a decent inn.”

“Unless you’ll upset your cook,” Kit said, “you are invited to dine with us this evening.”

“Yes, please do,” Mary added.

Mr. Doust still held Eunice’s hands and gazed at her face as if she were the most important thing in his life. If only a gentleman would look at her in that way.

Finally he glanced at Mary and Kit. “As I’ve no cook to offend, I’d be pleased to join you. My housekeeper makes meals for me a few days a week, and that keeps me for several days.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll tell Simons to set another place.” She signaled to the footman, giving him the message.

Kit poured more champagne for everyone. He stared at her, and his brows quirked as he raised his glass. “To marriage and new beginnings.”

Was something wrong with her? When he turned to Mr. Doust, Mary surreptitiously ran her hand down her bodice, making sure she hadn’t spilled any of the wine.

It was dry. How very strange. What could he have been looking at?

How could she think of seducing him, when he peered at her as if she had something between her teeth?

Rutherford held up his glass. “Here’s to the parson being caught in the mousetrap.”

Kit’s fingers curled into a fist. He’d attempted to catch Mary’s gaze so that she’d know he meant to include them in his toast as well, but she acted as if there was something amiss.

This wooing wasn’t going at all as he’d intended.

Instead of becoming closer, she was slipping away from him.

Somehow he had to find a way to stop her from getting away.

He sidled next to her. “Is everything all right?”

Her startled gaze flew to his. “Yes, of course. I’m very happy for Eunice. It is what she wanted.”

He bent his head so only Mary could hear. “Would you like to be there when she marries?”

Her shoulders drooped. “I would. Though I understand her desire to wed as soon as possible. If only we would hear from Huntley’s aunt, but that’s impossible.”

Receiving an answer so quickly would be impossible, yet he’d do everything in his power to make this right for her.

There had to be a way. “If your aunt and Doust could put off the trip for a day or so, we could all travel together. In fact, now that I think about it, we’d be much better off departing before Sunday.

Otherwise we shall be expected in church.

Your aunt said you attend services regularly. ”

Mary’s fingers toyed agitatedly with her long pearl necklace, drawing his attention to a curl dancing near her delicate shell-like ears.

She gave him a small, tight smile. “I hadn’t thought about that, nor should we be seen traveling on Sunday.”

It was the same thing his mother would say. Kit was glad he’d guessed correctly. “No.”

She cut a worried glance at him. “Still, we must wait to hear from Lady Theo.”

Kit wanted so badly to take her in his arms and kiss away her concerns. “Let me see what we can do. Why do you not ensure everyone is ready to go in the morning, while I discuss our problem with Huntley?”

“Of course. Though I think we are mostly packed.”

Kit watched Mary rejoin the ladies before he sauntered over to Huntley. “How soon do you think we’ll hear from your aunt?”

“Caro said the letter was sent by special messenger shortly after breakfast.” He thought for a moment. “Assuming he has no trouble finding her house, and she is home, I’d say the earliest we’d receive an answer is to-morrow late afternoon. Why?”

“Mary wishes to see her aunt wed. If at all possible, I’d like to depart in the morning. That way Lady Eunice and Doust can have the ceremony when we reach Scotland.”

“Hmm.” Huntley rubbed the side of his face.

“I can’t see the messenger going cross-country until he reaches Alnwick.

Before then, he’d stay on the Great North Road.

If we leave early enough, we can catch him.

As I said, I do not believe my aunt will say no to the additional company.

If she does, I’m sure we can find an inn or hotel large enough to accommodate our party. ”

Kit called Doust over. “We are thinking of going with you so that Lady Mary can support Lady Eunice. If I recall correctly, there is a small village, Lamberton, which is directly across the border north of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Its tollhouse is a well-known wedding spot. Would that disrupt your schedule too much?”

“Not at all.” He grinned. “As a matter of fact, if we’re going to have an irregular marriage, we should have as many witnesses as possible. Though my original plan of Coldstream will be faster.”

Thankfully, the matter was decided quickly. Before Simons had announced dinner, all and sundry had agreed to escort Lady Eunice and Doust to Scotland and attend the wedding.

A part of Kit had expected and wanted Mary to fall upon him with gratitude.

He smiled when she came up to him. She gave him a polite smile in return. “Thank you for arranging for me to be with my aunt when she marries. It was very kind of you.”

Kind! A tick began in his jaw. He was starting to hate that word. He’d never before wished to break something, but he did now. Somehow he maintained a pleasant countenance and gave a slight inclination of his head. “It was my pleasure.”

Damn and drat . That hadn’t worked either.

All they were doing was leaving for Scotland sooner.

Now what the deuce was he supposed to do to attract her?

Other than take her in his arms and maul her, and that he would not do.

Maybe Huntley was correct; Edinburgh would give Kit an advantage he did not appear to have here.

No Scot alive could match him in polite behavior.

He would devote himself to her and keep the Scottish rascals away .

Swan and Talbot Inn, Wetherby, England

The bedchamber Constance had been given overlooked the main street and one side of the inn. Stars still twinkled in the antelucan sky. Lately it wasn’t only Gawain Tolliver who was watching wherever she and Lucinda were staying; another man was, as well.

Unfortunately, Lucinda had been unable to find any way to disable the blackguard’s carriage long enough to escape for more than an hour or so.

He must be getting desperate. Be that as it may, Constance was heartily sick of being the subject of his attention.

She and Lucinda must be on their way north without Mr. Tolliver in tow.

“Do you see him?” Constance asked her dresser.

Anderson glanced back over her shoulder. “No, and he’s not been skulking around in the past day or two. Leastwise not so I could see.”

Perhaps Gawain had gone, and that was the reason for the other man.

The problem was, Constance didn’t know if that was good or bad.

Surely he couldn’t have discovered where her granddaughter was.

At the same time, she did not think he had given up his hunt.

He must be planning something else, and she did not wish to remain here until she knew what his next step was. “I think we should make a dash for it.”

“I’m not sure any of us are dashing around these days, Your Grace. What do you have in mind?”