“Time to press on,” Merry whispered, trying to ignore her churning middle. Good heavens, she best not eat anything for a while because it surely wouldn’t stay down. “Jenny?”
“Yes, my lady?” the maid asked.
“Time to pack. We are going to Gretna Green.”
Her mouth ajar, Jenny stood there blinking like an owl awakened from its nest. Then she grinned. “Does that mean what I think it means, my lady?”
“Indeed, it does. Duncan and I are eloping, and everyone is coming with us to witness our vows. Hurry now! We leave this afternoon.”
With a happy squeal, the maid became a flurry of motion, tearing around the room, gathering everything Merry would need. Merry followed close behind, rummaging through drawers and tossing items onto the bed.
Jenny pulled an armload of gowns from the wardrobe, then paused. “What will that awful Lord Brixham do now?”
Merry swallowed hard, trying to settle her wildly churning stomach. “Lord Malcolm and His Grace are going to ride as guards for the carriage. Even if Lord Brixham discovers our plans, he’ll not be able to stop us.” At least, Merry hoped he wouldn’t attempt anything. If he did, Duncan would surely shoot him.
She shook away the unsettling thought, refusing to dwell on anything that could go wrong. This was the right thing to do. She knew it in her heart.
*
“I am goingwith you,” Duncan’s mother announced. “Ye canna prevent it, so ye might as well not even bother.”
He had feared as much. “Ye need to stay here and prepare for mine and Merry’s return.” He wouldn’t mention the dower house, but he hoped she realized she would need to move there soon.
Malcolm, coward that he was, remained silent, standing off to one side, grinning.
“Ye are my eldest son, and I wish to see ye marry.” Mother rang the bell beside her chair. “Malcolm and I can be yer witnesses.”
Barclay marched into the parlor. “Yes, my lady?”
“Inform Lairie to pack my things,” she told the butler. “I shall be leaving for Gretna Green this afternoon. Have her make haste, and also inform her she will be traveling with me.”
“Right away, my lady.”
Appearing quite proud of herself, she cocked a brow at Duncan. “There. It is done. I am going.”
“Ye canna bring a single one of those feckin’ cats.”
“Did I ask to bring them?” She huffed and primly folded her hands in her lap. “Do ye truly think me that great of a fool?”
“Lady Serendipity and the duke will be placed on the certificate as witnesses. It will look better. For Merry’s sake.”
Pursing her lips, his mother slowly nodded. “I see the wisdom in that. If anyone were to research yer union, they would see her family did not attempt to stop her.” She rose from her chair, shook the wrinkles from her gown, then pointed at him. “Ye wait right here. Dinna move. I have something ye will be needing for this auspicious occasion. Something most important.”
“But—”
“Barclay will tell Mr. Brown to pack yer things. Ye know that as well as I.” With a graceful swing of her hand, she aimed her pointing finger at Malcolm. “And ye best be hauling yer wee arse upstairs to speak to yer man. Dinna leave everything for Barclay to manage. Healready has Lairie and Mr. Brown to inform.”
“Aye, Mother.” Malcolm hurried from the room as if his coattails were afire.
She shook her finger at Duncan again with renewed sternness. “Dinna move, ye ken?”
“Aye, Mother.” Five and thirty years of age, and here he stood like a wee lad waiting to get his arse tanned for misbehavior. He fidgeted in place, checking his pocket watch and wishing Mother had remained at Galkirk rather than joining them in London.
Wherever she had gone, it wasn’t far, because she returned after a few short minutes. Marching over to him, she took his hand in hers and placed a small, heart-shaped black velvet box in his palm. “This was my mother’s, yer grandmam who died before ye were born. It should be yer wife’s now.”
Duncan eased open the hinged lid, then bowed his head, grateful for this woman who had done the best she could to protect him and make him feel loved in their broken family. “It is beautiful, Mother. Merry will love it.”
“Sapphires symbolize commitment, trust, and sincerity.” Her smile thoughtful, his mother gently took her handkerchief and polished the facets of the large, deep blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds set in gold. “And the stone matches her lovely eyes. I think it perfect for her.”
