Chapter Twenty-One
The marquess andhis new bride set off in the early afternoon to much cheering on the pavement. They were married, and they were on their way. As far as anybody knew it, they were on their way to Cornwall, having borrowed a friend’s estate there. Nobody but the servants at Torquay knew they were going there directly.
Their plan was to stop for the night at Stanwell. There was a charming inn located in that town and, in any case, it would not be wise to carry on beyond sunset. Hounslow Heath was nearby and teeming with highwaymen. Manderbey might be confident of his ability to outpace, or if necessary outshoot, a thief on horseback, but he would not risk it in a carriage, especially not one carrying his new bride.
From Stanwell, they would make the trip in easy stages.
Winsome was delighted, as she’d never traveled south of London. She was also appreciative of the idea that there would be no innkeeper encountered who had suffered at the hands of her father’s jests. There would be no celebration of Captain Cook Day, or requests for brocabbage pie or Grassington Hambac, only to be informed the duke had made the whole thing up. Those harassed innkeepers were all safely tucked away in the north.
The carriage made its way out of London and Manderbey closed the curtains and pulled her toward him, sliding her along the leather seat until she was in his arms.
“Marchioness,” he said.
Winsome giggled at the thought. It seemed highly absurd that she was to be a duchess someday. Especially given how she’d carried on, imagining all sorts of things and almost missing her chance.
“I have to admit something to you,” she said.
He wrapped his arms more tightly round her. “Is it not always the way? A man weds and then discovers his bride harbors a terrible secret. Out with it, my love. I am certain I can stand up to it.”
“It is only a little bit terrible. I had thought, for some time actually, that you were an inveterate gambler and deep in debt.”
“Did you really?” Manderbey said, laughing.
Winsome nodded.
“I’m rather surprised you said yes, then.”
“Well, I had at first thought I must turn from you. I did come into the season determined not to be taken in by a rogue and it was looking like you were one.”
“I am a bit shaken to discover what was going on behind the scenes.”
“You ought not be, though,” Winsome said. “I decided I could not give you up, therefore I must save you from your worst instincts. I was very firm about it. You were to be rehabilitated.”
Manderbey roared with laughter. “I had no idea. Now that I think of it, though, you did bring up gambling several times.”
“I am glad I was wrong, I did get swept up in all the ideas I’d read about in my novels. However, I would have been prepared to face it if I was not mistaken.”
“I’m glad you were wrong too. I would never place my marchioness in such a position.”
“I know that now.”
“Come closer, you suspicious little minx.”
And so they spent a lovely few hours rumbling along the roads in each other’s arms.
The Falcon and Fox was a charming coaching inn and Manderbey had made prior arrangements with the innkeeper to have the best suite of rooms. He’d been asked if he wished to secure a private dining room, but he’d declined and indicated they would dine in their rooms. Alone. The waiter was to bring up what had been ordered and then get out and not come back.
Winsome had smiled at these arrangements and they’d both impatiently waited for the trays to come up. The rooms had a lovely view of the gardens, but they saw none of it.
After the doors were shut behind the waiters, Winsome took her moment to see what precisely had stunned Valor. She undid his neckcloth and stood on a chair to pull his shirt over his head.
She laughed and said, “What in the world was Valor so shocked over?”
“I cannot say, but I pray I do not shockyou.”
“Oh I doubt it,” she said, jumping into his arms.
And Manderbey did discover there was not much that would shock his bride. After all, she had five married sisters—she’d heard every detail of what might go on. She was lovely, he was intensely handsome, they were wildly in love. Those ingredients tended to make for a natural and passionate coming together.
