“No.”
“Not even a small one?”
His lips twitched.“Not even a small one.In fact, if Lady Hewitt agrees, I shall obtain a special license, and we can be quietly married by the end of the week.”
“That would suit me well,” Tessa said.
“Nonsense!”his aunt snapped.“Marry hastily and everyone will assume the gel has trapped you into it.As if the scandal won’t have everyone thinking it anyway.But Renfrews do not dance to the tune of gossip-mongers!You will have the banns called at St George’s, Hanover Square, as is the correct procedure.”
Marcus considered it a moment, glanced at Tessa, who nodded her agreement and said, “Very well, we’ll have the banns called and marry at the end of the month.And now I’ll take my leave and make the relevant arrangements.”
“And what, pray, should we do in the meantime, since you’re determined to deprive us of the pleasure of a wedding?”his aunt said acidly.“Am I never to arrange a proper wedding in this family?Harry and Nell married in a rush, as did Gabriel and Callie—and she a princess!Even Nash and Maddy’s wedding was in an obscure country church—though they did at least have a bishop present.Andthey allowed me to organize a ball, afterward.I thought I could at least count on you, Marcus, to have a wedding worthy of Alverleigh.”
He smiled.“Sorry to disappoint you, Aunt Maude, but you know I’ve never liked a fuss, and I’m delighted that my bride agrees with me.”Tessa glanced at him.Was that true, or was he simply saying it to support her?
His aunt snorted.“So, I’m to sit and twiddle my thumbs while the biggest catch on the marriage mart marries practically in secret.”
“Hardly in secret.I shall be sending a notice immediately to the relevant newspapers, and the banns will also help spread the word.But if you’re looking for something to do, you might take Tessa out and order her a couple of new riding habits.Oh, and you might drop a line to Harry and Nell to let them know.As the only relatives I have in England, it would be nice to have them present.”
“Only relatives?”his aunt began indignantly.“You have dozens of cousins and—”
“I meant close relatives.I’d prefer only immediate family at my wedding.”He turned to Tessa.“Is there anyone you’d like to invite?”
She thought of NannyJune and Phillips, but they were poor and elderly and it would be difficult for them to make the journey to London, so she shook her head.“No, I will simply write to the two most important people in my life.They will be happy to get my news.”They would be, too.Neither of them had approved of her previous two weddings, but they would both know Lord Alverleigh, since he’d grown up on the next estate.
It occurred to her with a start, that she would be living at Alverleigh soon, and would be able to see NannyJune and Phillips whenever she wanted, and to make sure they were well cared for.She felt immensely cheered by the prospect.
“I hope you don’t intend to invite that brother of yours,” Lady Gosforth snapped.“I doubt he’ll be at all pleased to hear about this.”
“No, I don’t want him at the wedding,” Tessa said worriedly.Edgar would be bound to make trouble as soon as he heard.
“He won’t be at the wedding, and he won’t hear about it—if at all—until it’s too late,” Marcus said calmly.“Actually, I believe Edgar Blaxland is half-way to America by now.”
“America?”Tessa gasped.
“Yes, an acquaintance of mine saw him board the ship and watched it sail.”
“He left the country?Without a word to me?”Tessa couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said, her thoughts in turmoil.“In fact, I think I’m more relieved than anything.It’s just so hard to believe.”
“I assure you, it’s true,” Marcus said.“My source is quite reliable.”
“But how could he afford a ticket?Though I suppose he might have won at the tables the other night.And why America?I would have thought Paris would be more his style.”
“Whatever his reasons, it seems you’ll have no need to worry about him turning up at the wedding like the skeleton at the feast!”Lady Gosford said briskly.“Not that therewillbe a feast!”she added with a baleful glance at her nephew.“So, in order to arrange the wedding of the Earl of Alverleigh I’m to supervise the ordering of a couple of riding habits and write a letter to Harry and Nell.Wonderful.I expect to be exhausted!”
