“I said that you must stop and think. Do not throw your life away over this folly. You are a peer of the realm. Certainly, that means more than doing the right thing by a girl you hardly even know.”
“Hardly know? I grew up with her. She is… She was my best friend and she is in dire straits. And you… I am surprised at you. You were all over her just days ago. Dancing with her at every opportunity, fawning over her and seeking her company. I should have known it was no more than a flight of fancy, the same kind you so often fall victim to.”
Alistair’s eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms in front of him. “It is not kind to call me out in such a fashion. I have never misled her as to my intentions. Nor any other lady. I have never forced my attentions and company upon an unwilling lady nor have I kissed anyone with such vigor it caused a public spectacle.”
Daniel sighed. He’s nerves were raw and he had to force himself to remain calm. It would do no good if he alienated his best friend now.
“When I was a boy, Penelope was my saving grace. She pulled me out of the depth of darkness. She saved me. I cannot allow my foolish behavior to be her undoing. You must understand.”
Alistair swallowed and leaned his back against the wall. “By Jove, Daniel. You are much too honorable a man for your own good. She is a prime article, I will say that. I simply fear that you marrying her will… It will end your life as you know it. You will be shackled for life.”
Daniel sighed. “This will be a union of convenience, if she even agrees to it, that is. I doubt I will be leading the life of a married man. Not truly. I only want to make sure her father’s health does not decline further in light of this scandal. I don’t want to see them both suffer because of me. The best thing I can do is get a special license and marry her, give her my name and title, and then… carry on with life.”
Alistair sighed. “Do you even know how to obtain a special license?”
Daniel frowned. He realized that he did not. He’d heard of other lords who’d obtained such a license in order to avoid the trouble of having to post the banns.
“I do not. I thought I would ride into Banbury to obtain it from the magistrate there.”
Alistair grunted. “You are only fortunate that I am a more worldly man than you, old chum, as I can save you the ride. The only license you can obtain will be a common license to wed but that will not allow you to marry for seven days. If you wish to wed at once, you will indeed need a special license. Now, you cannot obtain such a document from anyone but the Archbishop of Canterbury himself. You must petition him directly. Either you or a legal representative. You must have a sworn statement saying you are both free to wed.”
Daniel felt the air knocked out of him and he slid down the wall onto the cold stone floor. Why had he not thought of this? Of course, it was not as easy as all that.
Alistair stepped across the hall and sat beside him, shaking his head. “Why not just post the banns if you are so eager to marry?”
Daniel shook his head. “The banns have to be posted on the church wall in both of our parishes for three weeks and read so that the community might protest. My parish is St. Martin’s in the Field in London. It would take time to arrange. And even if we managed it, we would run into danger of someone objecting. Besides, I wish to marry her quickly, so we can present her father with the arrangement already competed, so he no longer needs to fret.”
Alistair shrugged his shoulders. “When you have made up your mind, there is nothing I can do to change that. If I’ve learned one thing over the years, it is that. You are the most stubborn of men.”
“It does me little good now. Alistair, if you had seen her state. She was so frail. She fainted when I first arrived.”
“Fainted?” His eyebrows rose and a twinkle of amusement appeared in his eyes. “Many a lady has fainted at the sight of you, Daniel. That ought to be no cause for alarm.”
He shook his head. “It was not the fainting we are familiar with from the London ladies. She fainted from not eating, and from lack of sleep. From worrying over what will become of her and her father. The Duke has not left his chamber in days now.”
Alistair gasped. “That is indeed serious.” After a moment’s contemplation he looked at Daniel with a smile. “There’s nothing to it, then. You will have to take her to Gretna Green and marry her there.”
Daniel leaned his head against the wall. Gretna Green. The destination of so many a mismatched pair. Anyone who could not marry in the church or whose union was frowned upon went to Gretna Green. He did not want that for Penelope.
“I cannot take her to Scotland. Her father will be ever so upset if she is missing, even if they are strained right now.”
Alistair rubbed his lips together deep in thought. “It seems you are determined and there is no talking you out of it. Very well. I shall assist you.”
Daniel frowned as he looked at Alistair, who was presently standing up once more. “I shall need a horse, and a fast one. And a letter from you stating your intentions. You will also need to write a letter appointing a legal representative.”
Daniel pushed himself up with a groan. “And who, pray tell, will that be? You?”
Alistair chuckled. “I imagine the Archbishop would deny any license requested by my person, given my reputation. No, my friend. We need someone with a lot more influence and much better reputation that I.” He grinned. “I am thinking of Baron Fernley.”
“Your father?” Daniel asked, the surprise evident in his voice. “You think he would do such a thing?”
“Of course! He and Mama care for you as though you were one of their own. By rights, you spend enough time at our home to be considered one of our own. Yes, I will ride to London as soon as you have written the documents I requested and we will go to Lambeth Palace in the morning to request an audience with the Archbishop. Then, I will send a messenger back here with the license.”
Daniel swallowed. It was a long ride to London, even with a fast horse and several stops at posting houses to change horses, it would take eight hours at the very least.
“You would do this for me? It is not an easy journey.”
He shrugged. “That is why I will not make the return ride immediately. I shall remain in London for some days to see the family and I will pay a visit to Almack’s and indulge in some dancing. When I return, I imagine you will be a married man.”
