“No, it’s not that—”
“If it’s the special license you’re worried about, I will see to it. Aunt Gosforth will no doubt be happy to organize one of her ‘small’ receptions.”
“Yes,” Gabe said absently. “The more witnesses, the more difficult it is for the government to act.” And the more difficult for her to wriggle out of.
Nash nodded. “I’m glad you see the value of family, after all.”
Gabe gave him a flat look. “For a good cause, yes. But don’t get too excited about this scheme just yet.”
“Why, what’s the problem?”
Gabe said slowly, “There’s just one small fly in the ointment.”
“And what is that?”
“The bride.”
“The bride? She’s the fly? Do you think she might not like it?”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her,” Nash said confidently. “I’m very good at explaining things and convincing people. It’s my job, after all. Bring her in.”
“Marry Gabriel Renfrew? Absolutely not!” Callie stared first at the man who’d been introduced as “the Honorable Nash Renfrew, something in government” and then at Gabriel. There was a strong family resemblance: the nose, the chin, and those intense blue eyes. Not to mention the shoulders, the height, and the infuriating assumption that he knew what was best for her.
“I won’t do it!” she reiterated. “It’s a ridiculous idea. There must be another way.”
Nash shook his head. “We’ve given it a great deal of thought. It’s the only way we can think of to prevent my government from handing your son back to the Zindarian government.”
“Not the Zindarian government,” she flashed, “Count Anton, the snake who has been plotting to murder him!”
Nash shrugged. “I know; Gabriel told me. It’s unfortunate, but unless you have proof, which Gabriel assures me you don’t, our government cannot concern itself with personalities; the count has provided the appropriate paperwork.”
“Paperwork!”she stormed. “What sort of people would put paperwork before a child’s safety?”
Nash gave her a very Renfrew look. “Princess, to a government paperwork iseverything.”
She glared at him and took a few angry paces around the room. “Then I will take my son and flee.”
He shrugged. “It will just delay the inevitable. They will track you down and bring you back, and then you will be in breach of the law and will be separated from your son.”
“But I amEnglish! I came back to my own country to be safe!”
Nash looked regretful. “Unfortunately, Princess, your nationality changed once you married. Which is why—”
“No! I won’t even consider it! It’s utterly ridiculous.”
“It’s not, you know,” Gabe said. “It makes a great deal of sense. And I’m the perfect candidate.”
She snorted.
“He is,” Nash insisted. “You couldn’t get anyone to suit your purpose better—not without wasting time, and time is of the essence here. With the Renfrew family connections—our elder brother is an earl, you know—we have the potential to cause all sorts of scandal if anyone tried to separate you from your son, or you from your husband.”
“Husband!”she declared with loathing. “I don’t want a husband.”
“Not even if it will save your son?”
She gave him an anguished look. “How would it work?”
