“After some deliberation about what was to be done, Katherine decided she wished to travel to the Castle and wait. Bromton had been certain your destination would be Gretna and, from there, the Grange. We traveled without stopping.”
Julia’s heartbeat increased. “Without stopping, did you say?”
“How else would we be here by now?”
Oh, she might have known something like this would happen! “How utterly senseless. Katherine shouldn’t have traveled in her condition!”
“IsKatherinethe one who’s been senseless?”
Julia’s cheeks burned. “I’m sorry I caused so much trouble. I—I didn’t think anyone would notice I had gone. How is she?”
“She’s fine, don’t you worry.” Miss Watson patted Julia’s arm. “Lord Bromton was adamant from the start that what had been done was done and we weren’t to interfere. His absolute conviction that Lord Rayne would make things right soothed the worst of your sister’s nerves. The marquess was correct, wasn’t he? The head waiter called you Lady Rayne.”
Julia curled her toes. “He did.”
“Oh!” Miss Watson touched her chest. “What wonderful news. I’m soveryrelieved.”
It appeared, at least, Bromton and Katherine were not going to try and stop them. But why, then, was Miss Watson here? “As for Lord Belhaven…?”
Miss Watson’s eyes sparkled, and her cheeks tinted girlish pink. “I sent word, as a former acquaintance…just in case he’d seen or heard anything and could assist. When we arrived at the Castle, his reply was waiting. His letter said he’d be available for anything we needed. Katherine suggested Bromton and I pay a call to thank him for his helpfulness and ask for his discretion, and, well, the moment I saw him…”
Her dreamlike expression told the rest of the story.
“By the time we arrived, he’d received and read your letter.” She blushed again. “We’re to be married in the chapel at Bromton Castle. In a few weeks’ time, the rector there will be able to declare me a resident, so Lord Belhaven may procure a common license.”
Julia made a wry sound in her throat. “There’s always Scotland.”
Miss Watson’s glance castigated. “I’ve waited this long, child. And I’ve always dreamed of a proper wedding in a proper church.”
Julia loved weddings, too, but she wanted Rayne—in the quickest way possible.Never leave a sullen man in silence.
“You’re happy, then?” Julia asked. “Lord Belhaven loves you?”
Miss Watson sighed. “Just the same as if we’d never parted.”
Well, she’d been right about one thing, at least. “Find him,” she urged. “Bring him here.”
The door opened. “Well, kitten—”
Rayne froze—eyes stark, cheeks taut.
“There you are, darling!” Julia spoke, overbright. She turned to her friend. “Miss Watson, soon to be Lady Belhaven, may I formerly introduce my husband, Lord Rayne?”
Miss Watson, bless her, curtsied to him. “I’m delighted to meet you, Lord Rayne. And to see Lady Rayne looking so…cheered.”
Rayne opened his mouth. Nothing emerged.
Miss Watson glanced past him and waved her hand. “Lord Belhaven, I’m here.”
Rayne flushed.
“And look who I’ve found!” Miss Watson placed her hand on Julia’s shoulder. “Lady Rayne, allow me to introduce Lord Belhaven. Lord Belhaven, Lord and Lady Rayne.”
A prescient fission flowed down Julia’s spine—neither good nor bad but powerfully urgent. What ever happened she must—mustkeep her head.
Rayne stepped aside, allowing a tall, slim, distinguished-looking gentleman to enter.
“Lord Rayne.” Belhaven nodded. He turned to Julia, and his expression warmed. “You must be the young lady to whom we owe our present happiness. A goodly number of people have been very worried about you, you know.”
