Chapter Eleven
As soon as Malcolm, Duncan, and Chance entered the parlor, Merry knew their trip had been in vain. She returned to the corner of her favorite settee and hugged herself, rocking gently in place. This was surely a terrible day. “How bad was it?” she asked, even though she already knew.
“His Grace chose not to grant us an audience,” Chance said. “He left a letter with his decision regarding Brixham’s false claims, and the special license that should never have been issued.”
“He sided with Brixham.” She should have known. Brixham would have paid the archbishop well to ensure he got what he wanted.
“It is my understanding that His Grace and Brixham’s father were good friends while the former still lived.”
“Well, of course they were.” She sagged back against the pillows, covering her eyes to block out the ugliness of the situation. The cushions shifted beside her, and Duncan’s warmth and his familiar scent washed over her, lending a sense of calm she sorely needed.
“I have a solution, my own,” he said quietly. “If ye see fit to choose it.”
She dropped her hands to her lap, drowning in despondency and afraid to hope. “What?”
“Come with me to Gretna Green. There, nothing will prevent us from marrying.” The sincerity and love in his eyes drew her in, making her forget how to breathe. He eased her hand into his and held it with a tenderness that touched her heart. “Come with me, lass. Marry me in Scotland.”
“Elope?” she whispered, shivering at the scandal the word elicited.
“Aye.”
“But…but…” How could she explain they would still be the talk of Mayfair? But I would be Duncan’s wife, not Brixham’s puppet. Her inner voice washed away her denial. “Elope to Gretna Green, you say?”
“Aye.”
“When?”
“As soon as ye can be ready.” He cast a glance back at Chance.
“Yer brother and sister would come along as witnesses.” He gave her one of his rare smiles.
“Family names on the certificate would show they approved of the union, and that ye weren’t running away from anything.
” He kissed her hand. “Ye were running to me, not from them.”
“And I shall travel outside the carriage on my mount,” Malcolm said. “To ensure we are not followed by any unscrupulous sorts who might decide to behave foolishly.”
She sat straighter and looked first at Chance, then Serendipity. “What say you?”
Serendipity shifted with an uncertain shrug. “Eloping would be your last opportunity to end Brixham’s madness. Unless you wish to spend the next three months listening to the ever-worsening rumors he stirs to force you to cede to him.”
Most definitely not. Jenny had just shared the latest unsavory development. Rumor had it that Merry was currently listed in the betting books of every gentlemen’s club in Town, with the men wagering on what date Brixham would finally make use of that special license and get her to the altar.
But if she went to Gretna Green, she would be Duncan’s wife. She would be married to her champion. The man who had saved her life and sworn to always protect her. The man who had won her heart.
“Hang the ton,” she said. “They already take great pleasure in my misery. Let us see if they can find just as much pleasure in my joy.”
Duncan pressed another lingering kiss to the back of her hand. “Ye have made me the happiest man alive, my own. I have never known such joy.”
Giddy with her decision, Merry pressed his hand to her cheek. “Married. In days. Good gracious.”
Still smiling, Duncan leaned forward and brushed the lightest of kisses across her mouth, making her shiver. “Get yer things ready, lass, whilst I see to my own house and advise Mother that she’ll have a daughter-in-law sooner than she expected. Shall we leave this afternoon or in the morning?”
Breathless and head spinning, she looked to Serendipity and Chance. “Can we be ready to leave by this afternoon?”
“We can and we will.” Serendipity nudged Chance. “Best clear your diary, brother, for at least a sennight or more.”
To Merry’s horror, he shook his head. “Chance? You have to come!” she said.
He lifted his hands in surrender. “I am coming, but I intend to ride my horse for safety’s sake along with Malcolm. After all, will you not need your maid? Especially this time of year, you can expect at least four days of travel. More if the weather turns.”
“Perhaps we require two carriages, as I shall need my maid as well,” Serendipity said.
Duncan rose and gently tugged Merry up from the settee to stand beside him.
“My carriage can carry the maids and any additional trunks. Merry and I, along with yerself”—he tipped a nod at Serendipity—“for propriety’s sake, can ride in the ducal carriage.
” He gently brushed the backs of his fingers across Merry’s cheek as though he hated leaving.
“I must go, my own. There is much to do and little time in which to do it.”
“I will be ready,” she promised, her mind whirling with everything that must be done.
After respectful nods to Serendipity and Chance, Duncan and Malcolm hurried out.
Serendipity startled Merry with a sharp clap of her hands. “Make haste, you two. Make haste.”
Chance ignored her. Instead, he scowled at Merry as if trying to peer inside her soul. “You are certain about this?”
“I am certain.” She was also nervous and very nearly witless about the drastic decision, but in her heart, she knew it was what she truly wanted. “I love Duncan.”
“You are sure?” Chance repeated. “You have only known him a short while.”
“I cannot explain it, brother.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “When you meet the one you are meant to love, you just know.”
“I simply want you happy.”
“I am. Promise.” She gave him a playful push. “Now, go clear your diary and have Froggie pack your things.”
With a weary huff and a shake of his head, he left the parlor to do as he was told.
“I think we are going to be the death of poor Chance. Just nine and twenty and already sporting a bit of silver at his temples. Did you see it?” Merry led the way up the stairs to the sisters’ chambers.
“Do not mention it to him. He is exceedingly vain about it, even though I told him Papa was just the same.” Serendipity caught her by the arm as she turned to enter her bedroom. “You are certain this is what you wish to do?”
“Positive.” Well, as positive as one could be about such an adventure.
Merry wanted to marry Duncan. Truly, she did.
She just wasn’t all that keen on the gossip.
It had only been days since the debacle with Brixham, and she was already sick to death of the ton.
“I want to be Duncan’s wife. I belong at his side, Seri.
He’s… He is…” She gave up trying to explain it. “This is how it is meant to be.”
“As long as you are happy.” Serendipity gave her a quick hug, then swept off to her own bedroom while brushing tears from her eyes.
Merry hoped they were happy tears, but she knew some of them probably weren’t. Serendipity feared being the only one left. She had always hated being alone.
“Time to press on,” Merry whispered, trying to ignore her churning middle. Good heavens, she best not eat anything for a while because it surely wouldn’t stay down. “Jenny?”
“Yes, my lady?” the maid asked.
“Time to pack. We are going to Gretna Green.”
Her mouth ajar, Jenny stood there blinking like an owl awakened from its nest. Then she grinned. “Does that mean what I think it means, my lady?”
“Indeed, it does. Duncan and I are eloping, and everyone is coming with us to witness our vows. Hurry now! We leave this afternoon.”
With a happy squeal, the maid became a flurry of motion, tearing around the room, gathering everything Merry would need. Merry followed close behind, rummaging through drawers and tossing items onto the bed.
Jenny pulled an armload of gowns from the wardrobe, then paused. “What will that awful Lord Brixham do now?”
Merry swallowed hard, trying to settle her wildly churning stomach.
“Lord Malcolm and His Grace are going to ride as guards for the carriage. Even if Lord Brixham discovers our plans, he’ll not be able to stop us.
” At least, Merry hoped he wouldn’t attempt anything.
If he did, Duncan would surely shoot him.
She shook away the unsettling thought, refusing to dwell on anything that could go wrong. This was the right thing to do. She knew it in her heart.
*
“I am going with you,” Duncan’s mother announced. “Ye canna prevent it, so ye might as well not even bother.”
He had feared as much. “Ye need to stay here and prepare for mine and Merry’s return.” He wouldn’t mention the dower house, but he hoped she realized she would need to move there soon.
Malcolm, coward that he was, remained silent, standing off to one side, grinning.
“Ye are my eldest son, and I wish to see ye marry.” Mother rang the bell beside her chair. “Malcolm and I can be yer witnesses.”
Barclay marched into the parlor. “Yes, my lady?”
“Inform Lairie to pack my things,” she told the butler. “I shall be leaving for Gretna Green this afternoon. Have her make haste, and also inform her she will be traveling with me.”
“Right away, my lady.”
Appearing quite proud of herself, she cocked a brow at Duncan. “There. It is done. I am going.”
“Ye canna bring a single one of those feckin’ cats.”
“Did I ask to bring them?” She huffed and primly folded her hands in her lap. “Do ye truly think me that great of a fool?”
“Lady Serendipity and the duke will be placed on the certificate as witnesses. It will look better. For Merry’s sake.”
Pursing her lips, his mother slowly nodded.
“I see the wisdom in that. If anyone were to research yer union, they would see her family did not attempt to stop her.” She rose from her chair, shook the wrinkles from her gown, then pointed at him.
“Ye wait right here. Dinna move. I have something ye will be needing for this auspicious occasion. Something most important.”
“But—”