Brandy had replaced the champagne—Kendal wasn’t certain how wise that was, but a glass or two shouldn’t hurt—and he stared into the amber color as he swirled it around in the glass. The stories about Somerset concerned Kendal greatly. The old duke must be mad, but unless he was exhibiting physical signs of it, no one would be able to obtain a guardianship order. As far as the world was concerned, he might be single-minded, but he was perfectly sane.
“You must be prepared.” Hawksworth’s voice intruded into Kendal’s musings.
Sitting up straighter, he put his glass on a table. “Prepared for what?”
“Somerset. He’s not to be trusted. At all. He could arrive tonight or tomorrow morning instead of the evening.”
Damnation! Kendal clinched his jaw. “We cannot marry until the banns have been read. This marriage must be completely legal so that he cannot attempt an annulment.” The other men were in various stages of thought, but he focused on Quartus, who looked as if he had something to say. Before his marriage, he’d been a vicar. “Quartus, what is it?”
“There is no law against marrying on Sunday.” He lowered his brows. “What I do not know is if there is a waiting time required between calling the banns and the wedding ceremony. In England, one could conceivably wed immediately after the last banns had been called.”
Melbrough took a languid drink of his brandy. “It would certainly make it less interesting for you if you could be married without Somerset breathing down your neck.”
Hawksworth shook his head. “He has to sign the settlement agreements.”
Rage filled Kendal, and he reached for his glass to throw it. “I don’t care about the damn settlement agreements. I want her.”
“But she cares,” Markville said in a surprisingly soft tone. “I know Euphrosyne felt it when she thought she would come to me with nothing.”
Kendal set his goblet down and pinched the bridge of his nose. “If he arrives early, what do we do?”
Berwick rose. “I shall inform my vicar to be prepared to perform the ceremony on an instant.”
“Thank you.” Kendal looked at the brandy and left it. He was going to find Thalia. He was going to do—what, he wasn’t sure. He’d never been so afraid of losing anyone in his life. He needed her like he needed air to breathe and water to drink. If it came to it, he’d throw her on a horse and ride across the border until he found someone to marry them. What he would not do was let her father take her away from him. “I shall see you in the morning.”
Footmen were stationed throughout the large, confusing house. He knew his way, but he didn’t know where Thalia was. Fortunately, he came across one of the maids he knew carrying a bucket. “Do you happen to know which room Lady Thalia has been given? I wish to leave something for her.”
The servant bobbed a curtsey. “Yes, Your Grace, she’s in the blue room fast asleep.”
“Very well. I shall wait until tomorrow. Thank you.”
“A good night, Your Grace.”
He acted as if he was heading to his room and when she was out of sight, changed course to Thalia’s chamber. He carefully lifted the latch. Thankfully, the door was not barred. But there would be no reason for it tonight. Danger had not yet arrived. Entering the room, he closed it again and turned the key. Kendal waited a bit for his eyes to adjust to the dark before moving further into the room, toward the bed.
The bed hangings had been left open and from the little light shining through the windows, he could see her. Reaching out with one finger, he caressed her cheek, and her eyes fluttered open. “My love.”
“Giles?” She clasped his hand. “What is it? Has something happened?”
“No, not yet.” He perched on the side of the bed. “Your brother suggested that your father might come before he said he would. The vicar will be told to perform the ceremony upon a moment’s notice. I wanted you to know.” That was a lie. He wanted to climb in bed with her and make her his. Now. Before her father could stop them.
“Thank you.” She rubbed his hand on her cheek. “I shall be prepared.”
She was so trusting. So innocent. Despite his need for her, he had to wait. If he made love to her now, and something happened . . . He couldn’t think like that. He’d simply trust that all would go as planned. “I shall see you in the morning.”
Kendal could feel her smile against his hand. “Good night, my love.”
He walked out of her room directly into Hawksworth, who linked arms with Kendal. “I know it’s hard. But I’m glad you made the decision to wait. Thank you.”
He should feel embarrassed being caught leaving her chamber, but did not. “It’s the only thing I could do. Under the circumstance.”
“I thought that was the case.”
The words were said with feeling, and Kendal knew the man understood his desire for Thalia, his need to see her.
They reached his room. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
His valet was waiting when he entered his bedchamber. In almost no time at all, he changed and got into in the large bed. At least Thalia was safe tonight.
CHAPTER 7
