Mary’s fingers toyed agitatedly with her long pearl necklace, drawing his attention to a curl dancing near her delicate shell-like ears.
She gave him a small, tight smile. “I hadn’t thought about that, nor should we be seen traveling on Sunday.”
It was the same thing his mother would say. Kit was glad he’d guessed correctly. “No.”
She cut a worried glance at him. “Still, we must wait to hear from Lady Theo.”
Kit wanted so badly to take her in his arms and kiss away her concerns. “Let me see what we can do. Why do you not ensure everyone is ready to go in the morning, while I discuss our problem with Huntley?”
“Of course. Though I think we are mostly packed.”
Kit watched Mary rejoin the ladies before he sauntered over to Huntley. “How soon do you think we’ll hear from your aunt?”
“Caro said the letter was sent by special messenger shortly afterbreakfast.” He thought for a moment. “Assuming he has no trouble finding her house, and she is home, I’d say the earliest we’d receive an answer is to-morrow late afternoon. Why?”
“Mary wishes to see her aunt wed. If at all possible, I’d like to depart in the morning. That way Lady Eunice and Doust can have the ceremony when we reach Scotland.”
“Hmm.” Huntley rubbed the side of his face. “I can’t see the messenger going cross-country until he reaches Alnwick. Before then, he’d stay on the Great North Road. If we leave early enough, we can catch him. As I said, I do not believe my aunt will say no to the additional company. If she does, I’m sure we can find an inn or hotel large enough to accommodate our party.”
Kit called Doust over. “We are thinking of going with you so that Lady Mary can support Lady Eunice. If I recall correctly, there is a small village, Lamberton, which is directly across the border north of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Its tollhouse is a well-known wedding spot. Would that disrupt your schedule too much?”
“Not at all.” He grinned. “As a matter of fact, if we’re going to have an irregular marriage, we should have as many witnesses as possible. Though my original plan of Coldstream will be faster.”
Thankfully, the matter was decided quickly. Before Simons had announced dinner, all and sundry had agreed to escort Lady Eunice and Doust to Scotland and attend the wedding.
A part of Kit had expected and wanted Mary to fall upon him with gratitude.
He smiled when she came up to him. She gave him a polite smile in return. “Thank you for arranging for me to be with my aunt when she marries. It was very kind of you.”
Kind!A tick began in his jaw. He was starting to hate that word. He’d never before wished to break something, but he did now. Somehow he maintained a pleasant countenance and gave a slight inclination of his head. “It was my pleasure.”
Damn and drat. That hadn’t worked either. All they were doing was leaving for Scotland sooner. Now what the deuce was he supposed to do to attract her? Other than take her in his arms and maul her, and that he would not do. Maybe Huntley was correct; Edinburgh would give Kit an advantage he did not appear to have here. No Scot alive could match him in polite behavior. He would devote himself to her and keep the Scottish rascals away.
Swan and Talbot Inn, Wetherby, England
The bedchamber Constance had been given overlooked the main street and one side of the inn. Stars still twinkled in the antelucan sky. Lately it wasn’t only Gawain Tolliver who was watching wherever she and Lucinda were staying; another man was, as well.
Unfortunately, Lucinda had been unable to find any way to disable the blackguard’s carriage long enough to escape for more than an hour or so. He must be getting desperate. Be that as it may, Constance was heartily sick of being the subject of his attention. She and Lucinda must be on their way north without Mr. Tolliver in tow.
“Do you see him?” Constance asked her dresser.
Anderson glanced back over her shoulder. “No, and he’s not been skulking around in the past day or two. Leastwise not so I could see.”
Perhaps Gawain had gone, and that was the reason for the other man. The problem was, Constance didn’t know if that was good or bad. Surely he couldn’t have discovered where her granddaughter was. At the same time, she did not think he had given up his hunt. He must be planning something else, and she did not wish to remain here until she knew what his next step was. “I think we should make a dash for it.”
“I’m not sure any of us are dashing around these days, Your Grace. What do you have in mind?”
Constance tapped a finger against her chin. “You take the other servants and the luggage while Lady Featherton and I walk around the town. To-day is market day. There will be a great deal of traffic. Then, when we’re sure he’s not watching, she and I will slip away.”
Anderson pulled out the traveling trunk from the corner. “Maybe have the coach meet you at the other end of the town.”
“Excellent idea.” Constance tapped her cane on the floor. “I’ve been saving my horses, but both Featherton and Barham have cattle stationed along the Great North Road. We can keep going as long as need be.”
Her dresser narrowed her eyes in thought. “If you’re planning to move fast, you should keep a couple of the footmen with you, Your Grace.” Anderson’s lips twitched. “Just to make sure you can make it to the other end of town.”
Constance hurled a pillow at her maid, missing when the woman ducked. “I should send them with you,” she retorted. “You’re not that much younger than I.”
“That may be true.” Anderson sniffed. “But I haven’t taken to using a cane to walk. I told you before you’d start relying on it.”
