“If you’re looking for Caroline,” she said to him, “she’s still not here.”
“We’re not looking for Caroline,” he replied. “I know where she is. I have to find my brother.”
Blake stepped into view. “You found me.”
“Have you resolved the matter?” Mr. Ralston asked him.
“She’s too adamant in her opinions. I can’t convince her.”
“We’ve debated that issue,” Mr. Ralston said. “She doesn’t get to decide.”
Janet scowled. “What are you talking about? And I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t discuss me as if I’m not present.”
Mr. Ralston pointed to the man who was with him. “Miss Grey, this is Lucas Watson, Lord Barrett. He’s engaged to Libby Carstairs.”
Janet’s scowl deepened. Lord Barrett’s engagement to Miss Carstairs had no bearing on Janet at all. She gave him the fleetest curtsy ever, then peered up at Blake and asked, “What matter were you supposed to resolve with me?”
“I told you,” Blake said. “Caleb thinks we should wed.”
Caleb Ralston interrupted. “I don’t think it, Blake. I demand it.”
“So do I,” Lord Barrett added.
Then she saw what she hadn’t initially noticed. There was a third man lurking in the hall. He was wearing a cleric’s collar and clutching a prayer book.
“This is Vicar Thompson,” Caleb Ralston said, “and since Blake is shipping out tomorrow, we’ve obtained a Special License. There’s no reason to delay the ceremony.”
“Hello, Miss Grey,” the vicar said.
Caleb Ralston gestured to Blake. “He’s the groom.”
“You certainly arranged this fast,” Blake said to his brother, appearing a bit green around the gills.
“Lord Barrett and I weren’t about to brook any nonsense. Not from either of you. You’re departing in a few hours, and when you sail away, I’m sorry to report that you’ll be a husband.” Mr. Ralston shifted his caustic focus to Janet and said, “And you, Miss Grey, will be a bride.”
Blake glowered at his brother. “I thought you were going to let me handle this.”
“If I’d let you handle it, you’d still be a bachelor in the morning.”
“Janet doesn’t want to wed me, and I won’t force her into it.”
“I’ll force her,” Lord Barrett said. “I don’t have a problem playing the part of bully in this fiasco.”
“You don’t even know her,” Blake complained, “and you definitely have no authority over her. You can’t make her do anything.”
The vicar was listening to the argument, his head swinging from person to person as they bickered.
Finally, there was a break in the conversation, and he said to Janet, “Is this true, Miss Grey? Are you being forced? Despite how Lord Barrett commands me to proceed, I won’t be a party to any coercion. Is it your wish to marry Blake Ralston? Considering the disagreement that was just aired, you’ll have to persuade me that you’d speak the vows of your own free will.”
Janet glared at Caleb Ralston, then at Lord Barrett. She still couldn’t figure out why he was there. They were doggedly determined to get their way. Then she peeked up at her dear, adored Blake. He was dressed in his uniform, and he was dashing and handsome and too delicious for words. Who wouldn’t want to be his wife?
“I’ve seriously pondered the notion,” she said, and the four men stiffened as they wondered how she’d finish her sentence, “and I would love to marry Blake.”
Blake gulped. “Are you sure? It’s never been your goal.”
“That was before I met you.”
“There were to be no strings attached. Wasn’t that your choice?”
“Yes, but I was being stupid. I didn’t comprehend how much I’d come to cherish you.”
Caleb Ralston snorted with disgust. “There you have it, Blake. She cherishes you—though I can’t for the life of me understand why.”
Janet jumped to Blake’s defense. “Who wouldn’t cherish him, Mr. Ralston? If he’ll have me, I might be the luckiest girl in the world.”
“It’s marriage, Janet,” Blake said, as if she needed reminding. “It’s matrimony, which you claim to despise. It’s forever.”
“I know it’s forever,” she told him, “and I hate that they’re insisting. I hate that I’ve consented. I hope you’ll forgive me someday.”
“It’s not a matter of forgiveness. You simply have such different views about females. I was helping you realize them.”
“I guess I wasn’t quite so independent after all. You’re not angry, are you? Please tell me you won’t be.”
“He won’t be angry,” Caleb Ralston firmly stated, “and if he ever seems to be, you can contact me, and I’ll set him straight.”
Blake stared down at her, and a long pause spread out between them. It was possible that he might utter any terrible comment. He might disparage Janet. He might order them to the Devil and march out.
But to her great relief, he said, “I’m not angry, and I’m betting we’ll be fine.”
“There you have it,” Lord Barrett said to the vicar. “Let’s get this over with.”
The vicar spun to Janet. “I’ll inquire a final time, Miss Grey. Will you proceed?”
Janet flashed a smile at each of them in turn, then she clasped Blake’s hand and said, “Yes, I’d like to proceed, and could you hurry? I can’t wait to be his bride.”
On hearing her remark, Blake looked as if he might faint, then he squared his shoulders and said, “I’m ready too.”
“Mr. Ralston? I’m surprised to see you back in the country. What brings you by?”
On having Caleb Ralston strut into his front foyer, Samson tried to be cordial, but he held Ralston personally liable for Caroline crying off from her betrothal, so he couldn’t bear to chat.
Though it was strange, Ralston had a bevy of men with him. One man appeared rich and important, and two of them were probably clerks. The others were tough and unruly, as if they might be criminals. What could their purpose be in accompanying Ralston to Grey’s Corner?
Samson was dealing with too many problems, so he couldn’t fuss with Ralston. They still hadn’t found Caroline or Janet. Since they’d snuck away, there hadn’t been a single sighting, so he had no clue where
