She placed her fingers in his hand. “I suppose we should go. There are only a few hours until the wedding breakfast.”
He bent his head and kissed her. If only they could remain here, in their own little world. “If it weren’t for the fact that I want to show you off to everyone as my wife, I’d be content to cry off.”
Mary placed her small palm on his face. “As would I, but I need to show all those Scottish ladies that you truly are not looking for a wife.”
“Looking for a wife?” He couldn’t believe what she’d said. “Why would anyone have thought that? The only woman I wanted was you.”
“Lady Theo put it about.” Mary linked her arm with his. “After I saw what the ladies here were like, I resolved to protect you.”
“I am eternally grateful you did, and extremely effectively.”
She slapped him playfully on his arm. “You probably didn’t even notice.”
“My only focus was you. I wanted to punch every man who danced with you.”
“If only I’d known.” She laughed. “I would have found excuses not to dance with them.”
Kit drew her into his arms. “If you’d known, we would have been wed long before this.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she rose up and kissed him. “Yes, we would have. I cannot believe how awkward we were around one another.”
“Huntley and the rest of them told me to kiss you.”
“Anna suggested I seduce you.”
He laughed. “I’m amazed we finally got together.”
“Love has a way of sorting one out, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I do. Let’s make a pact. Whenever one of us feels slighted by the other, we must tell the other person. I don’t want any more misunderstandings between us.”
She held him to her. “I absolutely agree. We both of us take the actions of the other too much to heart at times.”
“It looks as if our servants have gone. Shall we walk, or take the carriage?”
Mary shrugged. “How far is it?”
He kissed her lightly on the lips, then linked her arm with his. “Less than two miles.”
“Let’s walk. I have a feeling we’ll be back in a coach soon enough.”
They left the chamber, strolled down the main staircase, then out the door onto the street. He dismissed the coach waiting for them. “I think you’re right. At least it gives us some more time alone.”
They’d been walking for several minutes when Mary asked, “Where shall we go when we leave Edinburgh?”
That was a good question. “Would you rather return to Rose Hill, or journey on to Town?”
He glanced at her as she frowned. “Before I would have said London, but now I’m not sure. It would be disastrous to meet Diana Brownly. If she knew we were in Town, I don’t think she could help but mention us.”
“My mother has an idea to explain our marriage. The only thing is, I don’t know her plan.”
Mary stumbled, and he held her up. “Oh dear, I haven’t even considered how your family would take all of this.”
If only they were not in public, he could kiss her silly. “You have no need to worry. The moment my mother discovered my grandmother’s part in the scheme, she wrote to me. As far as she is concerned, you are as much of a victim as I am, and welcomed you to the family with open arms.” He smiled at Mary. “Although I must say, I don’t feel at all like a victim now. You are the most precious person in my life.”
She glanced up at him, her eyes full of love. “I know exactly what you mean. I never thought to be so happy.”
“Let’s go home to Rose Hill. We can make it truly ours.”
