For five years she hadn’t trusted him. Had she been a fool again?
“If we are going to break the rules, create a scandal—”
“—Scandal! What scandal?”
“The one that will be on everyone’s lips as soon as they learn you won The Emerald Garter from me in a game of chance.” He started to smile. “Therefore, we should only make it more scandalous.”
Was he going to tell everyone what she had wagered and what he took? That would certainly be a scandal and she would be forced to return to Yorkshire and never leave again, and that was assuming her family would let her live with them.
Seth certainly wouldn’t be so cruel, would he?
“How?” Frances asked with hesitation.
“Gretna Green, of course.” He grinned. “It is only fitting after such a wager. A simple Special License is boring, but eloping, far more fun.”
Frances blew out a sigh when she hadn’t even realized that she’d been holding her breath.
Seth rose up and cradled his head in his hand, his elbow on the mattress supporting him. “Franny, what is wrong? You are rather pale. Did I harm you?”
She nearly laughed. “No. When you decided against a Special License, I feared…”
She couldn’t force the words.
“Oh, Franny.” He tucked a curl behind her ear. “I am sorry to have frightened you. Given my poor decisions in the past, I understand why you were suddenly afraid. I promise that we will marry as quickly as possible and I will not leave your side until you tell me to go away.”
She smiled up at him, noting the warmth in his blue eyes. “I cannot imagine doing so,” she whispered while she fought the urge to cry both with relief and happiness.
“I love you,” he insisted.
“I love you,” she returned.
“Then it is settled.” Seth grinned. “As soon as we can put ourselves to rights, we will head off to Gretna Green. I understand that such journeys begin in the middle of the night.”
“It is nearly morning.” She laughed.
“Close enough.” Seth rose from the bed.
“What of my position. Tessa and Bethany are expecting me tomorrow night.”
“They will simply have to do without,” he insisted as he pulled on his trousers. “We will leave them a note after we stop only long enough for you to pack a satchel.”
Her eyes brightened. “Truly?”
“Yes. We have not had an adventure and it is high time that we did.”
The coolness of the room began to penetrate her skin and Frances’ face burned with embarrassment as she realized she had been lying there, completely naked, while he was dressing.
Quickly she sat up and searched for her dress before pulling it over her head, then standing to shake it out.
“Will we stop by your home as well?” she asked. “Lady Blythe should not be left to wonder what happened to you.”
Seth paused for a moment and cocked his head. “I suppose that I should. And I will likely need a change of clothing.”
Frances bent to pull on her slippers, though she had no idea when they were removed, or her cloak either, which was on the floor beside the bed.
Goodness, Seth certainly knew how to muddle her thoughts.
“When we return, I will introduce you as the new owner of The Emerald Garter.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
