Joanna turned on her husband. “I’m sure. Do you doubt me now?”
“What I doubt is that you will stay awake all the way to Haven House.”
Mariel rose. “No need to go home. Marcus has invited you all to stay.” She started past the couple to give instructions to Gibson for a light supper and to have rooms readied.
As she passed Joanna, her sister pulled her arm to stop her. “Put our room next to Mr. Taylour. I will check on him during the night.”
“No, you won’t.” The duke leaned in, his voice almost a growl.
Joanna waved him off. “You can come too. Just don’t growl at me when I wake you from a sound sleep.”
Mariel bit down on a smile and gave a quick nod before stepping into the corridor. As she expected, Gibson met her.
“Is there something you need, my lady?”
“There is. I’ll need three bedrooms readied for my family. One should be next to Mr. Taylour. Also, have Cook prepare a light repast in about two hours from now. I’m sure my sisters will need a bath filled as well.”
“Is that all, my lady?” He looked at her as if she’d forgotten an important detail.
Since she could think of nothing, she gave a confident nod.
“Would you also like a room and a bath?”
At Gibson’s question, she gave a self-effacing grin. “I think that would be lovely. Thank you for thinking of me, Gibson.”
“It will always be my honor to assist, my lady.” Though the butler didn’t actually smile, his mouth was quite a bit less stern.
Pleased with not only the arrangements but also the rapport she built with Gibson, she returned to the parlor. “All is arranged.”
The gentleman rose at her entrance and Marcus held out his hand. “If only we could arrange for Anthony to be at our wedding. He has been by my side since the war.”
“I think I can help with that.”
They looked to the duke.
“If you have ink and paper, I can send off a note and have a special license for you to marry here.”
Feeling Marcus’ body relax, then stiffen, she had no doubt he was about to politely refuse.
She quickly stepped in. “Thank you, James. That would make our wedding complete.”
Though Marcus squeezed her hand, he did not naysay her.
“Now, I suggest we all repair to our rooms for some rest after our day. Dinner will be ready in a couple of hours.”
Her sisters with their husbands filed out, but her mother stopped. “Mariel, I don’t think I’ve ever told you how proud we are of you and the woman you’ve become. It wasn’t until this moment that I truly realized what your sister Belinda told me long ago.”
At the mention of Belinda, she swallowed hard, always willing to hear something of her. “What did she say?”
Her mother laid her hand on her cheek. “She told me that you were the strongest of them all and loved like no other.”
Her mother dropped her hand and moved out of the room with her father.
She felt her eyes misting with tears. She’d never sought recognition, but receiving it almost undid her.
“Come.” Marcus took her arm with his good one. “You deserve to rest too.”
Unable to speak, she nodded and Marcus brought her to her room. After giving her a light kiss, he left. Tiredness seemed to suddenly weigh her down, and she pulled her dress from her body. At the sight of all the blood, she dropped it to the floor and collapsed upon the bed, sobs wracking her as she cried out all the fear she’d held at bay.
