Page 67 of Almost a Countess

“I beg yer pardon?” Finnwould have thought the last thing Downing would have wanted was aprotracted courtship.

“I said you will not marryin haste and have everyone know your shame. Those who marry byspecial licenses do so for this very reason in most cases. I willnot have my daughter’s reputation sullied with a trumped-upwedding.” He swayed a little from foot to foot. “A proper weddingat St. George’s Hanover, that’s what she’ll have. With the bannsread for three Sundays beforehand.” He wagged a finger at Finn.“Mark me, Aberfoyle, not one day before that final Sunday. If youwant my permission, you will dance to my tune.”

On the verge of telling Downingsomething he’d rather not hear, Finn was surprised to find hisshoulder clamped in a vise-grip as his uncle began to drag him fromthe room. “Verra well, Lord Downing. I will attend ye at, shall wesay, ten o’clock tomorrow for the settlements? My nephew will thenbusy himself with acquiring a wedding suit that will dae yerdaughter credit. Until then, good day, my lord.”

Before he knew it, Finn was whiskedinto this uncle’s carriage, and they were en route to the duchess’stownhouse in Mayfair. When they were announced by the duchess’sancient butler, Finn wanted to hurry to Dora’s side, but his unclekept him right by him, as he greeted the duchess.

“Good afternoon, LordAbernethy. You and Lord Aberfoyle have just come from LordDowning’s house, I take it.” The woman eyed them keenly. “And iseverything settled to our satisfaction?”

“Indeed it is, Duchess.”Uncle Abernethy nodded.

“Please be seated, mylord. I want you to tell me everything but let me order tea first.Dora, call William.”

“Yes, Aunt Mimi. Goodafternoon, Lord Abernethy.” Dora curtsied then sidled over to Finn.“Good afternoon, my lord.”

God, but the shape of her mouth as shesaid the word “lord” was an invitation to ravish it if ever he sawone. But one couldn’t very well start kissing a woman—even thewoman one was going to marry—in a public room with others present.They needed to find a more private place. “Good afternoon, MissHarper.” He peered over his shoulder at his uncle and the duchess,now deep in conversation. “We must talk in private.”

“I do not think Aunt Mimiwill allow me to be alone with you. She spent the morning demandingI deport myself as befits my station, by which I’m sure she meantwe cannot see one another or be more intimate until we are married.But my father has agreed that we can marry?”

“Yes, praise God. But ittook us forever tae convince him.”

“Oh, Finn.” Dora flungherself into his arms. “That is wonderful. In two days, I will gofrom being almost a countess to Countess of Aberfoyle. Your wife,Finn, just think of it.” She snuggled against his chest, creatingan agony in his breeches.

“Aye, my love, ye’ll bethat for certain. In a little while.” He cringed as he spoke, buthe had to tell her. “Yer father agreed tae the marriage but wantsus tae be married at St. George’s in Hanover Square, after thebanns are read.”

Slowly, Dora peeled herself off him,coming to stand in front of him, a deep scowl darkening her lovelyface. “After the banns— But this is Monday. That means it will bethree weeks before we can be married.”

“But we can marry,Dora. That is the main thing.” He must be as positive about thesituation as he could be. He didn’t want to upset his bride-to-be,although that horse seemed to have left the barn. Tension thrummedthrough every part of her, her fingers clenched into fists as shestood before him.

“Finn. How can we be inone another’s company for three long weeks without a private touchor kiss?” She looked so woebegone he wanted to take her in his armsand make all her hurts go away.

“I dinna ken, love. But Idae ken it will be hard.” As he was right now. Just being in herpresence made his flesh rigid. When he looked at her mouth—well, helikely shouldn’t do that too often until they were married.“Perhaps we can find a time and place we can meet, happen upon oneanother, as it were, and steal away for some little pleasuretogether. Three weeks isna an eternity.”

“It will feel like one,Finn.” Her bottom lip began to quiver. “I almost lost you a fewdays ago. I want to be with you forever. Beginning today.” Shesniffed. “I don’t think I can wait.”

Biting back a groan, Finn managed notto embarrass himself, but Lord, he had to explain to Dora that mencouldn’t always control themselves when they were in the presenceof very desirable ladies, especially those they were taking astheir wives. He’d wanted to wait until they were married, but he’dhad no idea their nuptials would be put off so long. There was onlyso much restraint a man could take. “Who might be willing tae helpus arrange a tryst?”

“Aunt Mimi told me mysister-in-law Judith is in town with her new husband and child. Shealways championed me when Simon was cruel. And she has no love formy father after he tried to take her child away.” Dora smiled atlast. “I believe that, to thwart my father’s wishes alone, Judithwould agree to help us.”

Finn glanced at his uncle and theduchess, still deep in conference. Good. He hoped they wouldcontinue their assignation for some time to come. He’d spotted alikely dark corner just down the corridor. If Dora could tiptoeaway, perhaps they could enjoy a few stolen minutes together. Ifonly he could be convincing.

He turned and bowed to the duchess.“If ye will excuse me, Duchess, I must repair tae thenecessary.”

“Of course, LordAberfoyle. The footman outside can direct you.”

“I can show him, AuntMimi.” Dora came forward eagerly. Too eagerly, itseemed.

“You will do no suchthing, Dora. Come, sit by me and when Lord Aberfoyle returns, wecan begin to plan your wedding. Three weeks is scarcely enoughtime.” She raised an eyebrow. “When I begin to think about it,there is so much to plan and do, I believe we will need at theleast six weeks to make it the wedding of the LittleSeason.”

Dora looked aghast. “But AuntMimi—”

“Or do you think we shouldtake our time and make it eight weeks?” The duchess tapped herfinger against her lips, as if thinking.

A look of horror in her eyes, Dorahastened to appease her aunt. “Oh, I am sure you and I canaccomplish the perfect wedding in six weeks, Aunt Mimi.”

Inwardly, Finn groaned as Dora sat onthe sofa beside her aunt, her face a study in misery. As he leftthe room, he vowed he and Dora would find a way to thwart those whowould keep them apart until their wedding. To him that will,ways are not wanting. It was fast becoming his favoriteproverb.

Chapter 28