Page 57

Kit shrugged. “You can’t be responsible for his actions.

How do you plan to get your brother and his family away?

” After they told him what they’d decided, he said, “I believe you should allow Cormac and Finella to appear at the breakfast. Enough people will be here that they can slip away unnoticed while one of you creates a distraction, perhaps by having another round of toasts, giving them time to change into traveling clothing and sneak out the back. ”

“You might even disguise them as servants,” Mary suggested.

Caro leaned forward. “A different hat and cloak would be all that is needed. Huntley and I can go out with them, as if they worked for us, and put them in the carriage.”

“Have the luggage on it,” he added, “and send outriders. After all, no one wishes their possessions to be stolen.”

“Armed outriders,” Simon said in a grim tone.

Mary glanced at Marcus and Phoebe, who were in quiet discussion. They seemed to have come to a decision, and Marcus said, “Instead of bringing the coach back here, we can rearrange our travel to compensate for the lack of one carriage and meet up with it at the tower.”

“That would certainly draw less attention if the house is being watched,” Huntley agreed.

“One more thing.” Marcus turned his attention to Lord Simon. “How many people know you have returned?”

He shook his head. “Hardly anyone at all. I was not announced at the only entertainment I attended, and we left early. What are you thinking?”

“This scheme would be better served by you not attending the wedding breakfast. It will make it easier for you and your wife to leave undetected. Otherwise, you’ll be the main focus of attention.”

Lady Theo fiddled with the strand of pearls around her neck as she took in the suggestions. “I’d almost think you had done this type of thing before, my lord.”

Marcus gave her an enigmatic smile, and Kit whispered in Mary’s ear. “He worked for the foreign office during the war.”

After several moments, Lord Simon nodded. “I believe it will work.”

A half hour later, Kit was finally alone with Mary in the small parlor next to their bedchamber. Her tub was being filled, and he thought back to the day she’d seen him in the corridor after his bath. He’d have to order a much larger bathing vessel for Rose Hill.

She laughed lightly as he slowly pulled her to him. “How much time do you think we have?”

“I’m not sure.” A teasing smile graced her lips as she rubbed her palms over his bare chest, where the banyan was unfastened. “Did you have anything in mind? ”

He covered her mouth with his. “When it comes to you, I always have ideas.” No other woman had ever made him want her so badly. She was his sun and his moon. He walked her back to the desk. “I thought you might like to learn something new.”

“My lady, your bath is ready.”

Hell and damnation .

Mary sighed. “I’d better go. We don’t have much time to change, at any rate.”

He held her fingers until they slipped away.

“Sir?” Piggott poked his head in the room. “I’ve got your tub set up in the dressing room.”

Kit strode out of the parlor. He couldn’t wait to get home and have Mary to himself. If he hurried, he could watch her being dressed.

Forty-five minutes later, he swore as he threw down another neckcloth, missing the pile on the floor. He was getting as bad as Brummell had been.

Piggott handed him another one. “Sir, if I might suggest you calm yourself.”

“I am calm,” Kit ground out.

“I think Piggott is right.”

Kit glanced around. Mary stood with her back against the door. All being in a hurry had done was cause him to miss seeing her dress. “You are beautiful.”

As she strolled forward, two champagne glasses in her hands, the sheer overskirt embroidered with white thread was unable to hide the way in which the pale-yellow silk gown outlined her hips. The bodice, also embroidered in white, sparkled as it caught the sunlight. “They look like diamond chips.”

“Nothing so extravagant.” She chuckled. “They are paste.” Her gaze roamed over his body, and his muscles tightened, wanting her. She touched the front of his shirt. “I must say I like the look, though I think some of the older ladies might be scandalized.”

Kit grinned as Piggott’s complexion deepened. “You didn’t wait for me.”

She raised her brows, looking at him as if he were daft. “ I didn’t wish to be late. It is our wedding breakfast.” Mary made herself comfortable on the dressing-table chair. “Please continue.”

Kit took a breath. This one would have to be right. Wrapping the wide cloth around his neck, he proceeded to tie it, then lowered his jaw down slowly a few times.

Next to him, Piggott frowned. “I don’t recognize that one.”

Glancing at Mary, Kit grinned. “No? It’s Featherton’s Amour.”

Piggott gave a sigh of relief and placed a ruby and diamond tiepin in the snowy folds. After Kit’s jacket was on, he added his pocket watch and quizzing glass.

Mary rose, giving him a glass of champagne. “Congratulations, Mr. Featherton.”

He inclined his head. “Thank you, my lady.” Tossing off his champagne, he held out his arm. “I think we should be on our way.”

They’d been excused from the receiving line in order to make a grand entrance into the ballroom, thus allowing Finella and Cormac to slip away unnoticed.

Later, as they were mingling, Huntley caught Kit’s eye, nodded and raised a glass. Kit bent his head, pressing his lips close to Mary’s ear. “They’re away.”

She smiled, as if he’d whispered a sweet nothing to her, and the couple they were speaking with made a jest about new love.

They ambled around the ballroom until Mary said, “I think Lady Simon might need help.”

Kit glanced over. An older man with a stern scowl appeared to be almost to the lady. “I wonder if he’s a friend of her father’s.”

“I don’t know, but if we can assist her, we should.”

He and Mary arrived in time to hear the gentleman say, “I don’t see your father here.”

Lady Simon raised her chin. “You should know he and Lord Titus are not friendly.”

The man’s jaw moved as if he were chewing a cud. “Where are your children? I haven’t seen them.”

She glanced around as if searching for them. “They are here somewhere. I specifically tasked Cormac with taking care of his sister. If you see them, you may send them to me. We should be leaving soon.”

The older man inclined his head. “I suppose I’ll see you at some of the entertainments.”

“We have decided to go home. Neither my son nor my daughter is having a good time. I believe they are both too young for what the Season has to offer. ”

The gentleman’s face reddened. “I’ll talk to your father about that.”

Kit and Mary approached as the man left. Kit snagged a glass of champagne from a passing footman and gave it to Lady Simon. “Who was he?”

“A friend of my father’s. From his reaction, he may be expecting a match with Fee.”

“He—your father”—Mary swallowed—“could not think to see her marry a man that much older than she is.”

“He did it to me.” All the color had drained from Lady Simon’s face.

For a moment Mary also appeared as if she’d be ill. Kit hailed another footman and took a flute of champagne from his tray, pressing it into her hand. “Drink some of this.”

She stared at Lady Simon. “That’s monstrous!”

“I agree.” Kit tightened his grip on her arm. “You’re quite pale, my love. Perhaps Lady Simon would escort you to the ladies’ retiring room?”

“What a wonderful idea.” Mary took the other woman’s arm.

He walked with them to the corridor. “Take your time. When you haven’t returned in five minutes or so, I’ll tell Lady Theo you’re not feeling quite the thing, and make our excuses.” Mary frowned. “She’ll understand when I tell her Lady Simon went with you.”

Squeezing her hand, he whispered, “Go now.”