“Well, that was quite the adventure. You will be marrying now,” Josie declared.
Willa and Wesley shared a glance.
Josie looked between them. “Do I sense any objections?”
They both shook their heads.
Willa slumped. Her bones felt like a lead weight.
“Very well then, that's all I need to know,” Josie whispered to her, “except what you’ll tell me later.”
Willa rolled her eyes.
“Would you like to pen a note to your family?” Josie asked Wesley.
“I don't know the address,” Wesley said with a shrug.
“I do,” Willa said.
Wesley lay back on the settee.
“We’ll summon your parents. You've been missing too, as it happens, and Ned was searching for you. Everyone's been worried out of their minds.”
“I know,” Willa said, “and for good reason too. I didn't intend any of this to happen.”
“You should have never even thought of it,” Josie argued. “What was the point, Willa?”
“To prove that I could do it. In a fashion, I did more than that. I didn't merely travel to London on the stage, which people do every day.”
“She saved my life twice, maybe three times. I can't recall anymore. If not for her, I'd be dead.”
“And we made it here anyway, despite highwaymen on two different occasions,” Willa said wearily.
“What?” Josie said in alarm.
“Actually,” Willa continued as she rubbed her gritty eyes, “the same highwayman, but this time he wanted revenge, not money.”
“Lord Knightly...” Patrick stroked his chin. “I've heard that name at White’s. It's all they talk about. You’ve been quite busy.” He lifted his glass to Wesley. “That story in the paper that I tried to get you to read, Josie, but you said it was garbage. The Nine Lives of Lord Knightly. That's him.”
Josie looked at Wesley.
“I didn't do any of that,” Wesley said. “Once we reached Swinton, word spread about me and the bloody helmet—beg your pardon.”
Josie waved away his apology for the language. “Well, you’re famous now,” Josie said. “But no one can know it was you, Mr. Wesley Parker, alone with my sister. As far as the papers go, they will never know. Lord and Lady Knightly have disappeared.”
Josie began to pace in front of the fire.
Willa rubbed her head, her own headache brewing, but this was destined to be a long night. Josie had told Edmund to someone everyone, which meant a thorough interrogation.
“Who is in town?”
Josie stopped pacing. “Georgie, who came to visit three days ago and wondered where the hell you were. I was also wondering the same.” Josie glared at her, before pivoting to pace the length of the rug. “Luna and Nic.”
“Is it necessary to do this tonight? I've been wearing this dress for days. I’m going to change. Please let Wesley rest, he is not completely healed.”
Willa ignored Josie’s protest and went to her room to change. Her ladies’ maid, Francine, refrained from asking any questions and wisely helped Willa undress without a word and filled the tub.
Josie and Patrick had the newest plumbing installed. Willa had her own private bathroom. She sank into the hot water with a sigh. She knew she couldn't linger in the soap and oils. Her sisters might storm the room at any moment.
