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“So tomorrow Gretna Green and then onto Fairhaven.”
She felt Gabe nod. “Everything hinges on the cottage, Soph.” If we can sell it at a decent price, we should be able to stay afloat while I figure out how to turn the earldom around.”
“Lucky you have it, then,” she said. “Lucky your brother hasn’t already sold it.”
“Perhaps,” he replied. “Though there must have been some reason Clayton hasn’t done so. If it’s a crumbling pile of stones, it could very well be worthless. We won’t know until we lay our eyes on it.”
But they couldn’t think that way. Sophie pushed up on her arms to look down at him. “Fairhaven will be perfect and we’ll sell it for even more than you could possibly hope, and then all will be well.”
“From your mouth…” His gaze lingered on her lips and Sophie’s skin grew warm once again. Heavens, she hoped he always looked at her with such passion. If her parents had ever possessed such affection for each other it was so long ago, she didn’t remember it.
Sophie dipped her head down and kissed him quickly before resuming her spot in his arms. “And then onto Northend?” His family seat. Their future home. The place they would raise their children someday. Heavens, she wanted that.
“And then onto Northend,” he agreed, though there was hesitation in his voice. Of course, it had been years since he’d seen the place. If he was worried about the state of Fairhaven, he was probably even more concerned with how they’d find Northend.
“Everything will be perfect, Gabe,” she said softly, hoping to alleviate his worries. “All will be well from now until forever.” One way or another.
He squeezed her a bit tighter. “With you at my side, Sophie, all will be well from here on out.”
CHAPTER 16
Sophie wasn’t certain what she’d expected to find just over the border in Scotland, but Gretna Green was a quaint little village surrounded by lush greenery in every direction. The late afternoon sun was dipping low against the horizon as the ducal carriage stopped in front of a blacksmith shop.
The brawny Scot inside asked Gabe and Sophie to write their names in his book, then he summoned a couple of fellows to serve as witnesses. “Ye are both here of yer own accord?” he asked, glancing from Sophie and then to Gabe.
“We are,” Sophie replied as Gabe slid his arm around her shoulders.
The Scot smiled in response. “Ye have the look of it, but I do need to ask.” Then he turned his full attention on Gabe. “Have ye got a ring, Major?”
“I don’t.” Gabe blanched slightly. But how could he have a ring? He hadn’t left London with the intent of eloping. He hadn’t even known Sophie was with him when they’d left.
“We don’t need one, do we?” Sophie asked, a bit of panic, suddenly in her chest.
The blacksmith shook his head. “Most folks do, but it’s not necessary. We have some for purchase if—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Sophie began, “All that matters is that we’ll never be apart after today. I don’t need a ring to remind me of that.”
The look of devotion Gabe cast her was worth more than any metal trinket they’d acquire at the blacksmith’s shop. “Sophie,” he said softly. “I do have a ring of my mother’s. It’s at Northend. I’d intended it for you four years ago.”
“Perfect,” Sophie replied. “We’ll be at Northend soon enough, won’t we?”
Gabe nodded in agreement.
“Very well,” the blacksmith continued. “We’ll just proceed, then.” He took a deep breath and muttered something in Gaelic, “Mìle fàilte dhuit le d'bhréid, fad do ré gun robh thu slàn. Móran làithean dhuit is sìth, le d'mhaitheas is le d'nì bhi fàs.”Then he gestured to Gabe and added, “Ye may kiss yer wife, Major.”
At long last, this was it.
Gabe tipped her chin up with his hand. His warm eyes held the promise of a lifetime of love, and Sophie grasped onto the edge of his regimentals as he brushed his lips ever so softly against hers. It was the most chaste of kisses she’d received along their journey, but it was one she would treasure in her heart forever.
After Gabe paid the man his fee, he tucked Sophie’s hand in the crook of his arm and said, “Now then, Mrs. Prideaux, shall we?”
Mrs. Prideaux from that day forward. Sophie’s heart swelled at the thought. She was Gabe’s, and he was hers, no matter what. She nodded in response and let Gabe lead her across the way to the White Heather Inn where Lumley had already acquired a chamber for them.
“That wasn’t quite what I expected,” Sophie said as they crossed the lane.
“What did you expect?” Gabe asked, glancing down at her on his arm.
Sophie shrugged slightly. “I’m not sure. More pomp, I suppose. I wonder if he’s the same fellow who married Arabella and Lord Avery.”
