‘Except make her a widow,’ Nate countered grimly.
At that moment, Prudence reappeared. ‘Anything?’ Patience asked, her tone much more conciliatory.
Prudence gave an agitated nod. ‘Apparently there’s a ship named theWestern Starmoored alongside in the Tobacco Dock that’s due to sail imminently – mayhap on the next tide.’
Nate swore softly. ‘That’s why Reinhardt’s acted so hastily – he’s hoping we won’t have time to stop him.’ He turned to Prudence as Chastity finished wrapping his arm. ‘Can you send someone with a message to my house?’ he asked her. ‘Tell the groom to saddle Duchess and have her and Ruby brought here as soon as possible.’
‘What are you going to do?’ Patience asked.
‘There are enough men searching for the lodging house. If I head straight for theWestern Star, I’ll make certain Reinhardt doesn’t leave the country.’ He climbed to his feet, wincing as he accidentally flexed his arm.
‘Horseback riding will likely open your wound,’ Patience advised caustically.
‘Not if I ride Duchess. She’s battle trained and will react to my leg movements.’ Nate explained.
‘And who’s Ruby.’
‘His dog.’
‘Is she battle trained too?’
Nate gave a fierce grin. ‘No, but she a first-class ratter.’
***
After ushering Percy behind the spice shed, Reverend Shackleford asked him when he’d last married anybody.
Percy gave him a puzzled look. ‘I’ve only done it the once, Sir. You married Lizzy and me yourself.
The Reverend stared at him for a second, then sighed. ‘Sometimes Percy, I swear the Almighty has the strangest senseof humour. I’m not talking about you and Lizzy. When was the last time you conducted a marriage ceremony?’
Percy frowned. ‘May Day,’ he answered promptly. ‘Just before Finn and I left for London. Bit of an urgent affair as I remember since the baby was well overdue.’
Reverend Shackleford sighed again. ‘David and Dolly, I take it. I told old man Parsons he couldn’t expect the lad to keep his hands to himself if he insisted on spending every night in the Red Lion while he left ‘em to their own devices.’
‘I think Mr. Parsons was secretly pleased in truth,’ Percy retorted. ‘He looked very happy at the wedding.’
The Reverend nodded. ‘I can understand that. If I remember rightly, Dolly Parsons has a face like a bag of broken crabs.’ He shook his head, then waved his hand in dismissal. ‘Anyway, now’s not the time to discuss the love lives of the residents of Blackmore. Could you repeat the ceremony word for word if you had to?’
Percy creased his brow. ‘I think so, Sir. Why do you ask?’
‘You’re going to conduct Mercy and that blackguard Reinhardt’s wedding.’
The curate stared at his superior in horror. ‘I couldn’t possibly do that, Sir. I’d never forgive myself.’
The Reverend groaned in frustration. ‘I’m not asking you to conduct aproperceremony,’ he retorted in exasperation. ‘Nothing legal, anyway. That’s why I wanted to know if you remembered it word for word. It’s easy to get the crucial bits wrong, if you know what they should be.’
‘But what about the real vicar?’ Percy insisted, ‘and why can’t you do it?’
‘The real one’s not here yet. And if I go up there, Reinhardt will recognise me.
‘So, what are you going to do?’
The Reverend opened his mouth and shut it again. This was the part of the plan he’d not finalised yet. If Flossy had been here, he’d have used her as the distraction. He swallowed a sudden urge to break down and cry.
‘Finn will provide a disturbance,’ the clergyman declared gruffly, ‘once you’ve started yourdearly belovedbit.’
The curate looked at his superior in dismay. ‘Lizzy’ll have my baubles,’ he gulped.
