“We dinna ken what the archbishop will say until we ask,” Duncan said. “I’ll not give up without even trying.”
Chance nodded. “I shall go with you and do whatever I can.”
“As will I,” Malcolm said. “I know I matter little as the second son, but I always stand beside my brother.”
*
“What will yedo if the man outright refuses another special license until the first one expires?” Malcolm sat across from Duncan in the carriage as they traveled the streets of Mayfair to pick up the Duke of Broadmere, who had managed to secure an audience with the archbishop.
Duncan stared out the window, seeing nothing but Merry’s tear-streaked face. “I dinna ken. Merry fears more for her family’s standing than her own reputation. Ninety days is a long while to stare down gossip.”
“Thetonis ever shifting, brother. If she could find the strength to ignore them, the tattlers would soon weary of the mess and move on to their next victim.”
“I canna tell Merry that.” Duncan pulled in a deep breath, missing the fresh, clean air of Scotland. “Ye saw her, Malcolm.”
“There may be little choice.”
“There is another choice.”
“What?”
“Gretna Green.” The more Duncan had pondered elopement, the better he liked the idea. Not only would it be an immediate resolution to Brixham’s foul play, but his precious Merry would be his wife within days. “That would nullify that feckin’ special license.”
Malcolm chuckled. “Indeed, it would. Have ye spoken to yer lady about this choice?”
“I have not, nor have I spoken to her family about it, so I would prefer ye remain close-mouthed on the subject, ye ken?” Malcolm had never possessed the inclination nor the ability to keep a secret in his entire life, but if he spoke out of turn regarding this one, Duncan would thrash him for it. “For once in yer life, keep yer gob shut.”
Malcolm lifted both hands in surrender. “Understood, brother. I’ll not say a word.”
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of Broadmere House.
“I shall wait here whilst ye go and fetch His Grace.” After a glance at his pocket watch, Malcolm shooed Duncan onward. “Make haste, though. The hour draws near.”
Duncan alighted from the carriage and hurried to the door. Fipps opened it before he had a chance to make use of the brass knocker, making Duncan wonder how the servant always seemed to know when someone had arrived before they even knocked. Did he stand in the hallway, peering out the narrow windows on either side of the entrance? Duncan eyed the man, hoping the butler never used his almost-uncanny abilities for ill rather than the good of his employers.
“His Grace will be with you shortly, Lord Kirkston.” Fipps motioned toward the parlor. “Lady Merry asked that you see her before the two of you leave.”
“Thank ye, Fipps.” Duncan hurried to join his lady love, hoping that today’s outcome would go as she wished. “Merry?”
She set aside her open book and hurried to him, taking hold of both his hands. “Are you all right?”
Confused, he barely shook his head. “Aye, my own. Why would I not be?”
She wet her sumptuous lips, making him hungry to taste them again. “I feared that after Lady Atterley’s ball, you would have had your fill of me. I know the situation is most unseemly. The tattle sheets are already hinting at scandal.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her close, breathing her in and willing her to know that all would be well. He would see to it. “To hell with the tattle sheets. Ye are mine, lass, and I am still proud as can be by the way ye fought that night.” He took hold of her shoulders and gently moved her so he could look into her eyes. “And now we will wed. One way or another.”
“What if the archbishop fails to cooperate?”
He didn’t wish to mention eloping to Gretna Green just yet, butneither did he want to leave her without hope. “Dinna go borrowing trouble, my own. Yer brother and I will get this matter resolved and behind us all. Everyone who matters, everyone who knows ye, knows that ye would never go sneaking off to meet with the likes of Brixham. We will see this through, I swear it.”
She smiled up at him, but sadness filled her eyes. “I hate this.”
“I know, lass. I hate that it happened as well. But now we have a battle to tend to, and tend to it we shall.”
“We should be going, Kirkston,” Broadmere said from the doorway. He tipped a gentle nod at his sister. “We will do our best, Merry. Hold fast and strong. Remember who you are.”
“I know,” she said a little too brightly, her smile quivering. “Godspeed to you both. Bring me good news.”
