Julius had his own transportation and now offered to drop Havers off at his home. “Where do you live?”
Havers laughed. “Lord Thorne, I live, eat, and breathe at the magistrate’s office on Bow Street. I rarely ever go home. However, I would appreciate your delivering me to the Wallingford Arms since Lady Easton is still settled there and it would not hurt to see who pays a call on her tonight.”
“Very well, but do not forget to show up at my wedding tomorrow.”
Havers arched an eyebrow. “You are serious?”
“Yes, of course. I would not invite you if I did not want you there. I speak for Gory, as well.”
“I am honored, but do not take offense if I fail to show up. My efforts are better spent watching Lady Easton and her maid.”
“Do you think they will hatch another plot to silence Lady Gregoria before the funeral?”
Havers nodded. “I know they will. They are as frantic as cornered beasts.”
“I hope they turn on each other,” Julius muttered. “Do you think there is any honor among murderers?”
“Oh, I expect they will betray each other in time.”
“But when?” Julius muttered, aching for Gory’s ordeal to be over, one that he had brought on because of keeping silent as to his feelings.
“My lord, you have such a look on your face. Are you blaming yourself for what happened to Lady Gregoria?” Havers leaned forward as the carriage rolled along the streets of London that were starting to quiet for the night. “What if you had been the one to propose to Lady Gregoria first? No Allendale, no other suitors. Just you. The attempt on her life would still have occurred. Only, it might have been successful. Changed circumstances, changed outcome. Did you ever think of that?”
Julius raked a hand through his hair. “Do not be logical or philosophical about this, Havers. I just wish to be married to her already. I won’t sleep a wink tonight, for I’ll be too worried about what Lady Easton plans next.”
“Let me and Mr. Barrow worry about her and that sour-faced maid of hers.” He cast Julius a wry grin. “You’ll need to be at your best on your wedding day…and especially on your wedding night, if I may be so crude as to point out the obvious. Wouldn’t want Lady Gregoria thinking she ought to have stuck with Allendale.”
Julius laughed.
They drew up in front of the Wallingford Arms a short while later and Havers hopped down from the carriage. “Until tomorrow, my lord.”
Julius leaned back against the squabs and let out a breath as the carriage moved on, this time headed for home.
All was falling into place, and yet he was still worried.
What had he and Havers overlooked?
CHAPTER 15
GORY HAD WANTED to remain downstairs with her friends to await the return of Julius and his brothers. They were a sight, all of them pacing except for her two dowagers godmothers who were as serene as ever seated in their grand chairs and calmly sipping tea. “Wearing a hole in the carpet will not make any of the Thorne boys return faster,” Lady Withnall remarked. “Why are you so tense, my dear? Is there a doubt Julius will succeed? You ought to know by now he is quite fierce when he needs to be.”
“They’re back,” Adela said, suddenly grabbing Gory’s hand.
Ambrose and Octavian marched into the parlor a moment later, smiling in triumph as they showed them the marriage license and betrothal document successfully obtained.
“Thank goodness,” Gory whispered, much of the tension flowing out of her.
Leo strode to the men and took a moment to peruse the papers. “Well done, my friends.” He turned to his wife and winked. “Looks like we’ll be attending a wedding tomorrow.”
Marigold clapped her hands and hopped up and down in delight. “The best news ever. Oh, Gory! I am so happy for you.”
Everyone clustered around Gory to congratulate her.
She hugged them all, including the dowagers who had so kindly taken her under their wing when her aunt and uncle had refused to spend so much as a shilling on her. What a charming way to grow up, always being made to feel she was a waste of time and no one could possibly wish to marry her.
Indeed, no one could never accuse her aunt or uncle of doting on her.
For this reason, she found the kindness of these dowagers all the sweeter and almost came to tears as she embraced them.
