“I have a better idea.” The gentlemen turned to look at Alice. “I think we should keep him locked up near Town. I would hate for his betrothed to be waiting for him at the church and he not appear. It would not be fair to her.”
“Richmond,” Merton said. “There are cellars, and no one will breathe a word.”
“Excellent.” She glanced at Normanby. “What is the surname of your betrothed?”
“Why should I tell you?” His words were slurred as if he was having a bit of trouble speaking.
She shrugged. “You do not have to, of course. I will find out another way.”
Normanby glared at her. “You are unnatural. You and your entire family.”
The nerve of the cad. How dare he cast slurs on her family. “Simply because we are progressive thinking does not make us at all unnatural.”
Williams entered the room. “We’re ready to take him, my lord.”
Normanby opened his mouth, and Giff punched him. “Just to keep him quiet, you understand.”
This was probably not an appropriate time to smile, but Alice did so in any event. “Well done, my love.”
Two more of their servants entered the room and began binding Normanby. One tied a piece of cloth around his head and over his mouth.
“My sweet.” Giff took her arm. “We should leave. Perhaps we can get a little sleep.”
“We’re not leaving tomorrow are we, Matt?”
“No. We’ll remain another night.”
“Oh, good.” Charlotte took Con’s arm. “I am sleeping late.”
He snorted. “Have you ever slept late in your life?”
“Probably not, but there is always a first time.”
They made it to the inn’s yard without waking anyone. A wagon was there as well as some of their grooms and footmen.
She felt sorry they would not have any sleep tonight. “You are taking him to Richmond and locking him in the cellar now?”
“Don’t worry about us, my lady,” one of the men said. “We’ve been through worse.”
“We’ll take turns driving,” another one said.
“Do not take any unnecessary risks.”
Giff lifted her into the gig. “You were splendid.”
“As were you.” She leaned down and kissed him. Perhaps she could spend the rest of the night with him.
The rest of the gentlemen arrived. Con helped Charlotte onto the carriage bench, then mounted his horse. Alice started the gig. Once the horses were far enough away not to hear her, Alice decided to ask her sister a question. “How would I approach making love to Giff?”
“Giff?” Charlotte smiled slyly. “I decided to seduce Con, but he knew a great deal more so I let him take the lead.”
“Are you saying I could simply go to him? In his bedchamber, I mean?” Most of her family were in the house.
“Of course. You are betrothed. You will be wed in two weeks.” She shrugged. “None of us has waited.” She placed her hand on Alice’s arm. “Be very sure this is what you wish.”
It was. She loved him, and he loved her. He was everything she wanted and had truly never thought to find. “Thank you.”
“Make sure there are no hidden passageways to his chamber.”
