“If Merry is willing, I shall take her to Gretna Green.” Duncan jutted his chin higher, daring the duke to say something to the contrary.
“Gretna Green?” Scowling, Broadmere first looked out one window, then turned and glared out the other as if searching for a better answer somewhere outside of the carriage. “Elopement? That is scandalous!”
“No more so than this current mess. Merry is of age, and later on, once that feckin’ special license expires, we can have a proper church wedding in England, if she so wishes.”
“’Tis the only solution,” Malcolm said, nodding in agreement. “If they try to announce the banns in church, Brixham will merely do his best to make everyone believe his objection to the marriage is legal, even though we all know it is not…technically.”
“But an elopement?” Broadmere said with a slow shake of his head.
“Come with us to Scotland,” Duncan said. “Serendipity and yerself can be our witnesses. The family’s approval would then be listed on the documents, showing ye as witnesses to our vows.”
“I would rather she wait out Brixham and do this the proper way.”
“Why?”
“Because it would be the right thing to do.”
“For whom? Yerself or yer sister?” Duncan had heard all he wanted to hear from Broadmere about the trip north across the border.
The duke bared his teeth. “I am trying my best to shield my sister from the unpleasantness of becoming a social outcast.”
“If ye had kicked Brixham’s sorry arse out of yer house that verra first day rather than inviting him to dinner, it would have been a damn sight better.”
Broadmere went quiet and paled as he sagged back against the seat. “I know,” he quietly admitted. “Do you not think I know that?”
Repentance shouted from the man, making Duncan feel a bit guilty about flinging the accusation. But the truth was the truth, and nothing could be done to change it. “When we reach yer home, I shall be asking her to choose. Ye will allow it and support her choice, aye?”
The duke eyed him for a long moment before throwing up his hands. “It appears I have little choice.”
Chapter Eleven
As soon asMalcolm, Duncan, and Chance entered the parlor, Merry knew their trip had been in vain. She returned to the corner of her favorite settee and hugged herself, rocking gently in place. This was surely a terrible day. “How bad was it?” she asked, even though she already knew.
“His Grace chose not to grant us an audience,” Chance said. “He left a letter with his decision regarding Brixham’s false claims, and the special license that should never have been issued.”
“He sided with Brixham.” She should have known. Brixham would have paid the archbishop well to ensure he got what he wanted.
“It is my understanding that His Grace and Brixham’s father were good friends while the former still lived.”
“Well, of course they were.” She sagged back against the pillows, covering her eyes to block out the ugliness of the situation. The cushions shifted beside her, and Duncan’s warmth and his familiar scent washed over her, lending a sense of calm she sorely needed.
“I have a solution, my own,” he said quietly. “If ye see fit to choose it.”
She dropped her hands to her lap, drowning in despondency and afraid to hope. “What?”
“Come with me to Gretna Green. There, nothing will prevent us from marrying.” The sincerity and love in his eyes drew her in, making her forget how to breathe. He eased her hand into his and held it witha tenderness that touched her heart. “Come with me, lass. Marry me in Scotland.”
“Elope?” she whispered, shivering at the scandal the word elicited.
“Aye.”
“But…but…” How could she explain they would still be the talk of Mayfair?But I would be Duncan’s wife, not Brixham’s puppet.Her inner voice washed away her denial. “Elope to Gretna Green, you say?”
“Aye.”
“When?”
“As soon as ye can be ready.” He cast a glance back at Chance. “Yer brother and sister would come along as witnesses.” He gave her one of his rare smiles. “Family names on the certificate would show they approved of the union, and that ye weren’t running away from anything.” He kissed her hand. “Ye were running to me, notfromthem.”
