“And?”
“I must keep Griff with her as protection.”
“I agree.”
Will and Andrew reached the next street and lengthened their strides. “That means I’ll need another man. Unfortunately I don’t know where to find one I can trust.”
“I’d offer Josh”—Andrew’s lips pressed into a straight line—“but I want him to remain with Cicely. He might know someone though, or the butler might.”
The butler! Of course. Why hadn’t Will thought of it before? Bates would want to help, and according to Eugénie, he knew everyone on the island. Will smiled. “You’ve just given me an idea.”
They ran the last few yards to the hotel, reaching the stairs just as the sky opened up. Once on the porch, Will shook himself “At least the rain here is warm.”
Andrew laughed as a footman handed them pieces of linen to dry their hands and faces with. “There is that.”
After he’d changed, Will found a card on the parlor desk inviting him to dine at Wivenly House that evening. Either his aunt knew of her daughter’s reluctance to marry him and was on his side, or she’d forgotten to ask Eugénie if she minded his presence. Whatever the reason, right now he’d take all the help he could get. “Tidwell, order a bath.”
“Already done, my lord.” His valet bowed. “I gathered you would dine out this evening.”
That didn’t answer the question of how he knew when Will would return.
“If you will refresh yourself with a glass of chilled wine, my lord, I shall call you when it’s time to bathe.”
Will also didn’t understand how his valet had the wine waiting as well. Then again, Tidwell had always been one step ahead of Will when it came to this sort of thing. “Thank you.” Will joined Andrew in their parlor. “Sorry about your marriage plans.”
Andrew took a healthy drink of what looked to be a rum shrub. “I’m about ready to go fetch the fellow myself.”
Will found the wine and poured a glass. “Which island is he on?”
“Therein lies the problem.” He tossed off his drink and poured another. “If you can believe it, other than St. George’s in Road Town on Tortola, there are few actual churches in this part of the British West Indies. A grave oversight that ought to be addressed. I cannot believe no one had the forethought to establish one here while we had possession of St. Thomas. The vicar from St. George’s goes to the other islands to perform services and other ceremonies.”
“I suppose you could run him to ground in Tortola?” Will took a sip of wine. “I looked at a map when we were on the ship. It doesn’t appear that the sailing between the islands is that long.”
“That is a thought.” Andrew’s jaw clenched. “All I have to do is convince my future mother-in-law that a wedding breakfast can be held as easily a few days after the event.”
“My lord, your bath is prepared.”
“Thank you, Tidwell.”
Andrew stared at Will. “How does he do that?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea, but I’m glad he does.”
“I’ll see you later.”
Will lifted a brow.
Andrew grinned. “We’re invited to Wivenly House as well.”
Will left the room. Why was he always the last to know anything? Then again, Eugénie hadn’t known either. At least he wasn’t alone in his ignorance, and he looked forward to seeing her this evening. His body tightened in anticipation.
Simply to spend time with her. Nothing else.
Wasn’t it enough he was skirmishing with Eugénie? Did he have to fight with himself as well? He’d never had to court a woman, never had to keep his hands off one before. She had dealt a blow to his confidence when she’d tried to reject him, but he would come about. Somehow, Eugénie Villaret de Joyeuse would soon be his wife.
Chapter 18
Yves stood on the deck of the sailing shipUnconquerable, growing bored with the captain’s endless litany concerning how they must return to France soon.
