“Great.” He could see it now. Eight men demanding his marriage. Even if he wanted to refuse, he wouldn't be able to, but it didn't matter. Though he might be meeting Willa at the end of the aisle with a few more bruises.
“Tomorrow,” he said, “we can get everything sorted.”
She nodded her head and closed her eyes, nestling into his shoulder.
He exhaled. The whiskey had taken some of the edge off of his pain, but it was sleep he needed. Sleep, and not to be knocked back and forth in a confined space. Now he knew how his brain felt. Bruised and sore.
Chapter 25
They woke at first light and had a large breakfast in the taproom before boarding a coach with the same groom and patrons but a new driver. Not that they should face any trouble this close to London, with the exception of anymore vendettas.
They traveled swiftly, and Wesley sipped whiskey throughout the stops, trying to keep his head from exploding like a gun powder keg. As evening set in, the coach entered the city limits. The stable yard was packed as they exited, but the journey wasn't over yet.
With only shillings left, Wesley hired a hack to take them to the home of Willa's sister, the Marchioness of Selhorst.
When they disembarked, her face was pale, and the door opened as she climbed the steps. The butler’s expression remained stoic, but his words revealed his true shock.
“My God, Miss Willet, you've no idea how they've searched for you.”
“Oh, I'm sure I know, Edmund,” Willa said. “You know Mr. Parker?”
Wesley stood before the imposing butler but did not know this man from Adam. He wasn't sure they’d ever met before.
“Mr. Parker, my God, what happened to you?” He cleared his throat and straightened. “I mean, do you need a doctor?”
“Just a room will do,” Willa said.
They stepped into the foyer and neither had cloaks to be removed, so they stood there awkwardly. The housekeeper was dispatched for tea and a maid sent to fetch Willa's sister and husband.
“Food please, and some headache powder for Mr. Parker.” She touched his brow. “At least you don't have a fever.” He didn't know what to do or say. She took his hand and tugged him into the drawing room where steaming hot tea and roast beef sandwiches were set before them.
Wesley dove into the food like a madman, barely remembering his manners. A woman ran into the room, and he instantly knew it was Willa’s sister. They looked remarkably alike, but this woman was maybe a hair shorter than Willa.
He wouldn't know until he stood, which he ought to do, he reminded himself. A man followed her in. His face triggered something in Wesley. He frowned as he watched them embrace Willa.
“Edmund, summon everyone who is in town,” Lady Selhorst ordered. The butler disappeared once more.
“My God, Willa, where have you been?”
Chapter 26
Willa’s tears spilled over as Josie wrapped her in a fragrant embrace. “Oh, here and there,” Willa replied.
Josie took her by the shoulders and shook her. “Where the hell have you been?”
Willa laughed and wiped her tears. “I took the stage from Sheffield.”
“Explain everything,” Josie demanded.
Lord Selhorst noticed that Wesley stood in the room.
“Mr. Parker,” he said.
“Er…yes?” Wesley answered.
He looked so confused and tired. So was Willa.
Willa sighed heavily. “The condensed version is I took the stage. Yes, you have every right to be angry with me. It was a really stupid idea. The coach was beset by highwaymen. They kidnapped me. Wesley happened to be traveling along the same road and saw it happen.”
