“It would seem I am indebted to ye for making matters with the archbishop a great deal easier.”
“Ye owe me nothing, my lord.” Dr. Hatler bowed. “I was glad I was here to lend my services where they were needed.”
“Be that as it may, I never forget a kindness.” Duncan politely bowed in turn. “Should I ever be able to return the favor, dinna hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Dr. Hatler opened the door and held it. “On your way now, and congratulations and an abundance of blessings to you and your lady in the coming years.”
“Aye, I am looking forward to it.” The surgeon had no idea just how ready Duncan was to live a truly happy life.
Chapter Fourteen
Three days oftraveling without the fear of being followed had seemed to pass much quicker than the first day of travel, where they had constantly looked behind them. Mild weather had helped as well. Merry had watched Duncan closely, knowing he would stubbornly sit there and suffer in silence rather than request that additional stops be made so he might rest.
She nervously smoothed the folds of her deep green traveling dress where her matching pelisse opened at the front. The warmth of the day, along with the close confines of the carriage with the four of them, had caused her to forgo her fur-lined mantle.
Truth be told, this trip had worn on her, and she was ready to be done with it. Its only saving grace was that soon she would be Duncan’s wife. An excited shiver rippled through her. “We should arrive today. Do you not agree?”
After a glance out the window, Duncan gave her an encouraging nod. “Verra soon, in fact. The village of Gretna Green lies just up ahead.”
A stronger surge of nervousness and anticipation made Merry catch her breath and hold it to tamp down the jitteriness in her middle. Today was the day.
“Merry?” Serendipity arched a brow at her. “Breathe. You are going quite red.”
“Are ye all right, my own?” Duncan leaned closer and capturedMerry’s gaze in his. His dark eyes held so much love and concern that she released the breath she held.
“I am fine. Just being silly.”
“Ye’ve not changed yer mind, have ye?”
Even though his tone hinted at an attempt at teasing, Merry knew he was more than a little sincere. Her poor champion still feared she was going to reject him. “I have not changed my mind. A few nerves at a time like this is quite normal.” She swallowed hard, then cleared her throat. “Or so I am told.”
“Of course, it is only natural.” Lady Evelyn pulled a small silver flask from her reticule and handed it to Merry. “Have a wee snort of that, lass. ’Twill help calm ye.”
Merry eyed the container with some leeriness. Over the duration of the trip, she had discovered that her future mother-in-law could drink as heavily as any man and still walk a straight line while doing so. “What is it?”
“Peach brandy, of course. ’Tis much too early in the day for whisky.”
Duncan shifted with a heavy sigh. “Mother.”
“What?” Lady Evelyn pointed at the container in Merry’s hand. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with a wee tipple to help yer bride on her way to the altar—or in this case, the anvil.”
A shout outside and the carriage slowing decided Merry on taking Lady Evelyn’s advice. She unscrewed the stopper and hazarded a sip of the stout yet fruity liquid, then pressed a hand to her throat. Even her breath felt hot. “Good gracious.”
The dowager smiled. “If it nay burns, lass, ’tis not any good.”
Merry returned the flask. “Thank you. I believe one drink will do me.”
Lady Evelyn offered it to everyone else in the carriage before partaking of the brandy herself, then returned it to her bag.
The carriage stopped, the door opened, and Chance reached insideto help Serendipity and then Lady Evelyn alight.
Merry tensed as Duncan stepped down next, even though he had a perfectly strong left arm with which to help himself descend. She was so afraid he would get off balance and aggravate his wound. But when he turned and reached for her, she shooed away her fears to keep him from seeing it in her eyes.
“I am fine, lass,” he said softly as she stepped to the ground beside him. “Better than fine, in fact, since today is our wedding day.”
His reading her so easily was more than a little disconcerting. “Did I say anything about your not being fine?”
“Ye nay had to.” Barely wincing, he hooked her hand through his left arm and tucked her against his side. “Those blue eyes of yers are as clear as a Highland burn and are windows to yer thoughts.”
