Page 86 of The Redemption of the Shrew

Dear Lord Hythwick,

It is with regret that I convey to you the devastating news that your sister has eloped with Mr. Barnham. She was at the nursery on the Islington Road with Mrs. Apsley, when Mr. Barnham rode up in a chaise-and-four. Lady Marianne went willingly into the vehicle, and they drove away, headed for the Great North Road. Since I happened to be at the nursery at the time, choosing plants for the school, I accompanied Mrs. Apsley home. She is prostrate with anxiety and distress, and therefore charged me with writing this note. She begs that you will return with all haste. Perhaps there is yet time to catch the runaways and avoid a most dreadful scandal.

She signed her name, shook sand over the paper, and passed it to the valet, who glanced over it with a hint of a smile, then folded it and affixed a wafer. “I’ll take it to him myself.”

Her role in today’s charade was over, and as for the evening, Sophie and Mr. Alexander were to play bo-peep this time, while Gloriana was to attend Alice Stowe’s salon as if nothing were amiss. How tedious and nerve-wracking, for what if the burglary went awry?

At least she wouldn’t have to face Lord Hythwick again tonight.

Nevertheless, this reminded her that she should clean and load her pistol. She was in the breakfast room at the rear, performing this messy task, when Philippe walked into the room.

Flooded with joy, she sprang up. “I didn’t expect to see you today!”

He pulled a folded paper from his pocket and set it on the table. “Our special license.”

She flung herself into his arms, sure she appeared as foolishly besotted as Lady Marianne with her Freddy. “How did you manage that? I thought you were too busy planning for this evening.”

“I’m also too impatient to wait a moment longer than necessary to make you my wife.” He kissed her thoroughly. “Tomorrow at the church in Islington. Sophie and Mr. Alexander will be there, and I hope Elspeth will attend as well.”

He took a seat at the table and examined the pistol, admiring the silver chasing. “Quite a pretty weapon.”

“It is, isn’t it? All the Warren women are taught to shoot. My father gave me this one not long before he died, but Miles refused to teach me to use it until I was fifteen.”

“So you could have shot me that night at the summerhouse.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I could indeed, if I’d had a pocket to put it in. I was so angry with you—and yet so afraid that the gamekeeper had killed you. Oh, Philippe, I’m worried about tonight!”

“Do not be. As I hoped, Hythwick left in a rage—on horseback, without even a change of clothes. In case he catches up with the decoys quickly, we’ll go right after dark, well-armed, and be quick about it.”

“So early? Won’t you run a risk of being seen climbing up the drainpipe?”

He shook his head. “We’ll go in the front door like gentlemen.” He rolled his eyes at her gasp. “In disguise, chérie. We shall tie up whoever answers the door and leave a man on guard in case another servant appears—but most likely no one will. When the cat’s away the mice will play, so they’ll all be drinking and playing cards in the kitchen. Turner says the old lady has been dosed with laudanum and likely will sleep all night. We’ll fetch the book and be off.”

Meanwhile, Gloriana would sit home and fret . . . No, she wouldn’t.

“I know that stubborn expression. It is safer if you stay at home. Do not think to play bo-peep with that Bridge fellow.”

She raised her brows. “Surely you’re not jealous?”

“Of my only serious rival? Yes, of course I am.”

This was gratifying. “He is no longer a rival.” She wasn’t about to admit that he never really had been. “He is dining with the family of his betrothed tonight. She is the daughter of a wealthy merchant. I have promised to befriend her.”

“That is good news.”

“Yes, but since I cannot suborn him to play bo-peep, I’ll go to Alice Stowe’s salon instead and pretend nothing is out of the ordinary.”

Philippe looked as if he wanted to forbid her to go anywhere—but there was no good reason for that, with Hythwick galloping up the Great North Road. “D’accord, but bring this pistol with you.” His gaze assessed her, and he added, “For my peace of mind.”

“And what about my peace of mind tonight? Let’s forget the Book of Hours. Philippe, I would much, much rather do without it than lose you.”

“I am happy you have your priorities in the correct order, ma belle, but if you wanted to preserve my safety, you should not have presented me with such a tempting project. En tout cas, it would never do to let Lord Hythwick win.”

She couldn’t disagree with that, but . . .

He smiled ruefully. “I have sworn off a life of crime, but I am not a safe sort of man. You may not get much peace of mind married to me.”

“And vice versa,” she retorted. “I am not a peaceful sort of person either.”