He stopped at the opposite wall and turned. “We go to Silver Meadows to enlist the Duke of Northwick’s aid in speaking with the regent.”
A wave of cool air seemed to envelop her, and she wished herself back by the fireplace. “The regent? But he’s—”
“I know. But my father makes an excellent point. We give the regent a chance to blame the whole affair on Leighhall. Prinny can claim it was the viscount’s idea and he was just humoring Leighhall, or some such story. Then we’ll have him.” He punctuated his statement by grasping the air in front of him.
“And if he doesn’t blame it all on Leighhall?” She hoped the men had come up with a second option.
“Then he’d have to throw two dukes and a baron into Newgate, and that would cause quite a fuss.”
“A fuss?” Her heart began to race. “A fuss is not enough. You can’t go to the regent with your plan unless you have a better alternative.”
His smile faded. “What do you suggest? We can’t very well take out an ad in the morningGazette. The idea is for the regent to be assured that very few are a party to this information.”
She crossed her arms and shook her head. “No. That may be good for the regent, but it’s not good for you. Take the Captain. Take the Earl of Harewood. Take every peer you can so it’s impossible for the regent to do anything else.”
He stared at her, his eyes wide as if her idea was addle-brained. But a slow smile began to lift his lips as he strode across the room and kissed her.
It was a quick, hard, sensuous kiss. And then his lips left hers, his smile wide. “You are brilliant!”
Surprised by his sudden acceptance, she wrinkled her nose. “I am?”
“Yes. You are also beautiful in that dress. I’m afraid there won’t be time to gather more clothes for the trip, as we leave so soon. Already a footman is riding fast to let the Duke of Northwick know to expect us.”
Relieved that he would accept her plan and hopefully not be thrown in prison, she relaxed. “I don’t need any other clothes except a pelisse or cloak. Oh, and I would like to keep the clothing I brought with me. After all, that is my wedding dress.”
He cupped her cheek. “Yes, it is, and I’ve already ordered it to be packed. Lissa, everything is going to be fixed. I prom—”
She placed her finger over his lips. “No. Don’t. I’m simply happy that we have a way forward.”
He held her hand and sucked her finger into his mouth, sending shivers of desire coursing through her. Then he pulled her in and kissed her again, this time gently. When he let her go, he started for the door. “I’ll let my father know the change in strategy and have more letters sent.” He stopped halfway out of the room. “I did let the Duke of Northwick know of our marriage. I hope that will relieve Lady Eleanor.”
Her heart melted that he’d thought of her friend. “I am grateful.”
A quick smile lifted his lips, and he left.
Now was the time of reckoning. It was as if her whole life was culminating in the next few days. Either they would all be safe and Leighhall would no longer be a threat, or she and her husband would be thrown in prison.
Husband. The word echoed in her head, and she sat abruptly on the chair at the dressing table. She now had a husband, and she was worried about him far more than she was worried for herfriend.
Chapter Eighteen
Silver Meadows, the Belinda School for Curious Ladies
A week later
Lissa paced throughthe parlor, past the portrait of Belinda Mabry and her friends, and into the dining area before turning back. She itched to go out and practice throwing her daggers, but she’d been forbidden due to the cold. The duchess had kept a close watch on her since they’d arrived and Lissa admitted to a shortened version of the truth.
“Dague, you’re going to give me a migraine.” Ellie pulled out another stich in her embroidery loop. “Do sit down.”
A shiver raced up Lissa’s spine. “You can’t call me Dague anymore. It could put my life in danger now.”
“I apologize. I forgot. Lissette, please sit down.”
Sophie tsked. “She’s worried.”
That got Ellie’s attention. “Are you?”
Lissa stopped, finding the question a bit absurd. “Of course I am. Anthony is my husband now, even if it is just a marriage of convenience.”
