“I agree, my love,” Andrew responded. “But he can be as strange as he likes as long as he marries us.”
Eugénie stopped, causing the rest of them to do so as well. “I thought we had to marry before noon?”
Cicely shrugged. “I suppose if one is a pirate priest, one may do as one wishes.”
“That was my understanding as well, Eugénie. What time is it?” Andrew asked.
Will pulled out his watch. “It’s going on eleven, but it is no matter. The Marriage Act doesn’t apply here.”
Andrew furrowed his brow. “Are you positive? I would not want to have an irregular marriage.”
“Yes. I am quite sure.” Will grinned. “Luckily for us, the Act is not in effect outside of England proper.”
Eugénie tightened her grip on Will’s arm and laughed as happiness burbled up inside her. “In less than two hours we will be husband and wife.”
Once Will, Eugénie, Andrew, and Cicely returned and told their parents the news, pandemonium ensued. Even for his eldest sister’s wedding, Will hadn’t seen such a fuss. Eugénie was whisked away from him. He was shooed out of his cabin by Tidwell, who informed Will that his kit must be repacked and taken to Eugénie’s stateroom, but to return in an hour to change for his wedding. As Will walked down the passageway to the salon, wisps of thin muslin caught his eye. Someone shrieked, and a hand placed on the small of his back propelled him on his way.
Andrew and Mr. Whitecliff, who handed Will a rum shrub, appeared to be suffering from the same fate. Will took a long drink. “What the devil is going on?”
“Deuce if I know.” Andrew took a pull of his rum. “There is apparently ‘a great deal to do and not sufficient time,’ or that’s what Mrs. Whitecliff said.”
“Don’t go to the stern,” Whitecliff warned. “A bathing tub has been set up.”
Will’s eyes widened in horror at the thought of a naked Eugénie being seen by anyone. There weren’t any other ships, but the boat was positioned so that someone from the beach could see her. “You’ll never tell me my betrothed is bathing for everyone in the harbor to see? I’ll put a stop to that!”
“No, no.” Andrew gave a bark of laughter. “A screen is being set up. The ladies will use the door from Whitecliff ’s cabin to access the stern.”
“Well, thank God for that!” It struck Will forcibly that unlike some, he’d never become sanguine about another man seeing his wife naked. In fact, there were a few places in London he’d no longer be patronizing, and hostesses whose entertainments to which he’d not accept invitations. In fact, he’d make damn sure all of his friends put out the word that Eugénie was out-of-bounds. There were too many blasted rakes and rogues in Town for his liking. Perhaps he’d keep her at home in the country for a while. London might be too dangerous for a woman as innocent as she.
“My lord”—Whitecliff’s voice broke into Will’s thoughts—“is there something wrong with your shrub? Is the juice sour?”
“No, of course not.” Will glanced up to see the man staring at him in concern. “Why do you ask?”
“Because,” Andrew said patiently, “you’ve been scowling at it for the last several minutes.”
Will took a swig. “Are you going to attend the Season with Cicely?”
“Of course I am. She’d never forgive me if she wasn’t able to experience a London Season.” His friend’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Worried about something?”
“No.” He tossed off the glass and poured a brandy. “Why should I be?”
“Not concerned that Eugénie will succumb to one of the many rakes hanging around Polite Society?”
Andrew didn’t need to say “like you”; it was written on his expression. “Damn it, she’s so innocent.” Will raked his fingers through his hair. “She’s got no idea of the kind of men who prey on women.”
“I suppose,” Andrew’s lips curled into a smile, “you’ll have to keep her close to your side. Very unfashionable, I know . . .”
A low roar emerged from Will. “What the devil do I care for fashion? No man had better even consider approaching her.”
Andrew lifted his glass in a toast. “My, how the mighty have fallen.”
This must be how Beaumont felt with his wife. Suddenly it all seemed comical, and Will grinned, returning his friend’s salute. “Indeed they have.”
Not long afterward, he and Andrew were called to wash and change. When they were appropriately dressed, they reconvened in the salon, which Will noticed was empty of women. “Where are our ladies?”
Just then Cicely emerged, and behind her Eugénie. She took his breath away. The deep coral of her bodice was cut modestly, but the swell of her breasts rose just enough to tempt him. A strand of pearls circled her slender neck, and his tongue itched to trace where the necklace lay. Her skirts were layers of an extremely thin silk, giving her the appearance of floating toward him. Before long she’d be his forever, and even though the responsibility of caring for her as she deserved weighed heavily on him, it couldn’t be soon enough. He held his hand out to her as she approached. “Eugénie, my love, you enchant me.”
She touched her fingers to his and smiled shyly. “No one has ever said anything half so nice to me.”
