Gawain took a pull of his ale. “If I knew for certain we were headed in the right direction, I might spend the brass.”
“Those old ladies lost us good.” Whitely ordered a pint and stared out the window. “Bloody hell!” He jumped up and dashed out of the inn. Moments later, he ran back in. “I just saw them.”
“The dowagers?” Gawain couldn’t believe his good luck.
“The very same. Recognized the coach right away.” Whitely grinned. “We won’t catch ’em at the speed they’re goin’, but we’re headed the right way.”
Gawain drained his mug and ordered another. An hour later they were on the road toward Edinburgh. His plan would work after all.
Kit woke as the sun crested the horizon, and smiled. Finally, in a few hours, he’d be wed to Mary. Hopping out of bed, he tugged the bell-pull. Fortunately, Piggott was an early riser and would already be awake.
Piggott entered carrying a pitcher of water. “You’re up betimes.”
“It’s my wedding day.”
“Would you like a bath?”
Only if Mary was in it. “Not at present. Please have Lady Mary’s maid wake her. I shall also require—” Kit had to think. Who would least object to being woken at sunrise? “Lord and Lady Huntley.” Surely the others would forgive him for allowing them to sleep; after all, the children had been fussy. “They will need to attend her ladyship and me.”
Piggott nodded. “I shall see to it.”
An hour later, Kit, Mary, Caro, and Huntley met in Lord Titus’s study. Mary and Kit signed the settlement documents, and their friends witnessed the signatures.
Caro hugged Mary. “This almost reminds me of when Gervais and I wed.”
“Absent a marquis who should have been in Bedlam,” her husband commented dryly.
Caro smiled softly. “As bad as he was, without him we would not have married.”
Huntley’s arm snaked around her waist. “Very true, and I would not have the most wonderful wife in the world.”
Mary glanced at Kit and grinned. No lady could be a better wife for him than Mary. “When do you think the church will open? I’d rather have a more regular wedding.”
Piggott knocked, then entered. “I have ascertained that one of the clergymen at St. Giles’s Cathedral will be expecting you.”
Someone had been busy on their behalf. Kit wondered if it was Lady Theo. At least he knew where the church was. He and Mary had toured it. “We will depart in a moment.”
His valet bowed. “The carriage will be waiting.” Piggott paused for a moment. “You also have chambers at the King’s Arms, not far from the church. Lady Theo left a message saying your wedding breakfast will be held to-morrow.”
Kit had his answer, yet why the hotel? Then the light dawned. This was Scotland. The marriage had to be consummated. Mary had been bold last night, but he didn’t know how she would take being with him for the first time when she was aware that the whole house would know what they were doing. The hotel was a good idea.
“Thank her ladyship for me.” He took Mary’s hand. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” She nodded, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth as she did when she was nervous. “I am.”
They made their way to the coach waiting in front of the house. Kit had a sudden feeling of rightness. No matter what happened, he and Mary were meant to be together.
The carriage traveled through the busy streets, until they reached the sixteenth-century gray stone church. One of the footmen accompanying them hopped off the coach, went to a small wooden side door, and knocked. A few moments later it opened a crack, then opened wider.
“Here we go.” Kit jumped down and gently lifted Mary to the pavement.
They were ushered in, and the quiet of the place stunned him. Other than the church they’d stopped at on their way up, he’d never been in one that was so empty. Even the day they’d visited, there werepeople around. Their steps echoed, adding to the gravity of the union they were about to enter into.
“Good morning to you.” A young, rosy-cheeked man greeted them. “I’m one of the vicars. I hear you wish to wed.”
The juxtaposition of the old church and the young rector struck Kit. What he and Mary were about to do was new to them, yet as old as time. “We do.”
“If you’re ready, I’ll begin.”
