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“May I have a word with you?” Williamson dared to ask, putting a hand on William’s arm to stop him. “I had several minutes with Lizzybet prior to your return from your conference with the constable and Mr. Kennedy’s arrival.” William looked puzzled as he reluctantly halted.

“I know that you are anxious to see her, but I pray you will indulge me for but a minute. Will you?”

William could not object and as he nodded with a wan smile, Williamson chuckled. “I do not imagine I will have much opportunity to speak to either of you once you are reunited, so now must suffice.”

The vicar’s features softened at the look on Darcy’s face. He knew that the young man standing before him truly loved his Lizzybet and would do whatever it took to protect her, even from herself. “Have you considered that she might feel more secure if you stayed with her tonight?”

William’s eyebrows rose along with the colour in his face. The truth was that he had been contemplating how to sneak into her room tonight, just to hold her—to comfort her. Was the vicar actually suggesting he do just that?

Williamson chuckled at William’s expression. “My boy, I am a man as well as a servant of the Lord. And I was married to a woman I loved, so I know how you feel towards Lizzybet.”

Embarrassed that the older man had read his mind, William found himself stuttering, “I—I was going to see—to ask Elizabeth what she wanted.”

“I already know what she wants.” At William’s discomposure, Williamson smiled. “She told me minutes ago that she does not want to be separated from you—not even for the night. However, I am sure you wish to do the honourable thing.”

William’s features darkened. “I love her—I wish to marry her.”

“Excellent! You have the special license and your mother’s ring; it would be no problem for you to marry—secretly if that is your wish—then you may simply repeat the marriage vows in a public display later. It is not completely unheard of to have two ceremonies.”

By this time William was smiling broadly. “If Elizabeth agrees, you may arrange whatever you wish. I had her name legally changed to Elizabeth Elise Lawrence before I obtained the special license. My attorney assisted me in recording it; she had only to agree. As for keeping it secret, I think not. If there are public displays planned, let it be celebrations of our marriage in whatever manner Elizabeth desires—even a renewal of our vows.”

“I have no doubt she will agree, and I shall be delighted to organize the event. Now, I imagine that she is very unhappy, thinking that you have forgotten her. Go and reassure her while I make the arrangements.”

William reached the door in a very few steps. Before he opened it, he looked back over his shoulder. “If I am to marry today, I would like the ceremony to be as early as possible.” A huge smile spread across his face, both dimples clearly visibly as he winked at the vicar, then exited.

With one hand Williamson stroked his face, puzzling over what he had seen. “I never knew the man had dimples!”

A private dining room

Early Evening

“And Richard had the coach in the rear pulled to the side of the road by the time we reached him. He had already managed to kill three guards, leaving only two servants, Mrs. Preston, and a young maid in the carriage. Naturally as soon as we rode up, he took off after the other coach as though his horse’s tail was afire!”

There was laughter and kidding among the men as they enjoyed refreshments and relaxed in the one room that was large enough to accommodate all of them. Most of those present knew exactly what had transpired that morning, but they enjoyed hearing Evan and Richard recount the story to Mr. Williamson who had just joined them.

Evan took another sip of brandy. “So, we left one man as a guard and went after the other coach.”

“It appears we were the lucky ones!” Mr. Williamson declared, nodding at the man who accompanied him to the ship. “We had only to wait until everything was over and arrive here unscathed.”

“But had either one of those coaches gotten past us, you might have been in the thick of it!” Richard offered in the vicar’s defence before answering Evan’s tease. “As for my horse’s tail being afire, you caught up soon enough.”

Evan shrugged. “That was only because Lieutenant Marbury had blocked the road with a carriage.”

“Yes, Marbury deserves to be rewarded! He and his men had stopped the coach that held most of the guards and had managed to kill or wound half of them before ever I fired a shot!”

“And when we caught up with you once more,” Evan poked Richard in the chest, “what did you do? You took one look and headed back in the direction from whence we had come—without a word of explanation!”

Richard chuckled. “I realised that my cousin was not among you—just as he is missing now! What did you do with him, Vicar?”

Williamson smiled. “I have not done anything ... yet.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Richard and Evan said almost simultaneously.

“You will just have to wait and see,” the vicar replied with a knowing smile as he picked up a leg of chicken.

Elizabeth’s Bedroom

“You really do not mind being married as Elizabeth Elise Lawrence?”