“No, she doesn’t. Is she still here in London?”
The look on his face was grim. “Unfortunately, not. I have had her watched ever since you discovered she was in town. My sources inform me that she left for Brighton early this afternoon. With their yacht now repaired, I expect she and the count will sail for home as soon as possible.”
Caroline crossed to her dressing table and began to pull out the hairpins which held the tiara in place. “We will need a special licence. The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of our guests tonight. If we hurry, we could beg him to issue us one before the ball. We can be on the road to Brighton as soon as we have it.”
Julian reached into his coat and, with a wry smile on his lips, pulled out a piece of folded paper. A relieved Caroline nodded. He had been one step ahead of her.
“Your brothers convinced me that we might be in need of one. We could be married at the engagement ball tonight, and then leave,” replied Julian.
She considered his suggestion for a moment. It would not be the full church service which her mother had set her heart on, but it would be in front of many of London’s elite. By getting married tonight, they could put the rumors and gossip mongering to rest once and for all.
“No. Much as it would solve one of our problems, it would take too long. There are hundreds of people coming to the ball tonight; it would be hours before we could make our excuses and leave. We need to be on the road to Brighton as soon as possible,” said Caroline.
She hurried to her wardrobe and took out a small travel bag. Within a matter of minutes, she had stuffed it with a spare gown, some personal effects, and the tiara. Hurried wedding or not, she was still going to wear it. “How soon could you have your travel coach ready?”
“It’s ready and waiting in the mews outside, along with your cousin James and your uncle,” replied Julian.
Caroline stopped folding the shawl she had in her hands and looked at him, perplexed. “Which uncle?”
“The one who knows how to rouse the Archbishop of Canterbury when he is having his afternoon nap. I thought Will was a persuasive chap, but your Uncle Hugh is a master of the art,” he said.
Caroline chuckled. “Uncle Hugh has always had a golden tongue. We should all be grateful that he has used it in the service of the church.”
Julian came to her side and took the shawl from her hands. Lifting her left hand to his lips, he kissed the scar. “Are you certain?”
Caroline rose up on her toes and placed a tender kiss of confirmation on his lips. “If eloping was good enough for my sister, it is good enough for me. Besides, if I see one more fabric sample in my life, it will be too soon.”
She closed the clasp on her travel bag, and Julian picked it up. With her heavy woolen cloak wrapped about her, Caroline followed him out of the bedroom. She glanced back one last time at the room she had slept in nearly all her life and bid a silent farewell.
Will was waiting downstairs. At the sight of her luggage in Julian’s hand, he hurried over to his sister and hugged her. “I have just arrived from Strathmore House. I explained the situation to our parents and the choice before you. Mama, of course, became a watering pot of tears, but said she would trust your judgement. She said to let your heart decide.”
“Thank you, Will. I know that must have been a difficult conversation,” she replied.
Will then handed Julian a small box. “Our grandmother only managed to bring a few personal items with her when she fled France during the revolution. This is the second of her two rings she left to the family when she died. Eve already has hers. My father has asked that, as a personal favor to him, you place this on Caroline’s hand as you speak your vows.”
Julian took the box. “I am truly honored. Thank your parents from the both of us for their support. It means a great deal to Caroline and I knowing that we have their blessing.”
Francis appeared at the top of the stairs which led down to the family wine cellar, carrying a box. “Weddings require champagne and wine. I would be remiss in my duty if I didn’t make sure we had enough.”
Will chuckled. “You had better have left Papa some of the ’94, or there will be trouble.”
Francis beat a hasty exit toward the door, leading out to the mews. Will followed him, but stopped before he reached the door. He turned to Caroline.
“Good luck. I hope you make it to Brighton in time.”
“You are not coming?” asked Caroline.
“No. We have six hundred and thirty-four guests waiting at Strathmore House. All of whom will be wanting to know why the newly engaged couple are on the road to Brighton, rather than taking the first dance of the evening. I must be with our parents and Hattie tonight. We will stand alongside Lady Margaret and deal with all the guests,” replied Will.
He disappeared outside, leaving Caroline to wipe tears from her eyes.
Julian came to her side. “Ready for our grand adventure?”
She nodded. “Tonight, is just the beginning of our adventure together. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Let’s go.”
Outside in the rear mews, they found the Earl of Newhall’s travel coach waiting. As she climbed inside, Caroline was greeted with the smiling faces of Francis, James, and the Bishop of London. Julian climbed in after her and closed the door.
