That wasn’t the best reason she’d ever heard, but it seemed suitable enough for a rake tired of disgrace and who hoped to salvage a legitimate brandy business.
She nodded, then reconsidered. “What about my father?”
“I am sure he’ll be delighted. Far more than having a defiled daughter return to Town with her tail between her legs, the gaping-stock and laughing-stock of London. Besides, wasn’t this entire arrangement designed to get you married off? Additionally, we’ll save him the cost of a wedding.”
“How practical,” she said softly. “Yet he might feel disrespected if you don’t ask him personally for my hand. I recall my sister’s suitor coming to our home and being secured in my father’s study with him for at least half an hour as they worked out all the details of the marriage contract. And there was her dowry to negotiate.”
“I can practically guarantee your father will not give us permission. If he didn’t think I was unsuitable before, he does now. What’s more, I’m not interested in your dowry,” he said and turned toward the door with her following closely behind.
Then he paused, and Miranda walked into him.
“Although, I shouldn’t be hasty,” Philip added. “Given my current financial situation, your dowry might come in handy if you have one. Do you?”
She nodded, wondering whether she’d fallen asleep on her aunt’s sofa and this was all a dream.
“Good, then we won’t be begging for farthings out of Newgate, at least for the first fortnight.”
Had she really made him penniless?
“Come now,” he said, putting a hand to her chin and tilting her head to look at him. “Don’t appear as if I’m dragging you to your execution. You could do far worse than me, I warrant. I shall rally my fortunes, even if I cannot keep my London home.”
“I could do worse,” Miranda agreed.
He barked out a laugh. “What a glowing recommendation from my bride-to-be!”
While she was still wrangling with the tremor of excitement over that unexpected word,bride, he slipped his hands into her hair, anchoring her face before him.
Then he lowered his head, but instead of claiming her mouth, he trailed kisses along her chin and down her neck, and she quickly forgot everything except how her body sizzled from his touch.
Philip raised his head. “In some ways, we are a perfect pair.”
Feeling light-headed, she had needed no reminding and, thus, said nothing. He shrugged.
“How quickly can you pack a few items to carry you over a night or two? We shall leave as soon as you’re ready, but no longer than ten minutes. We must be away before the household gets up. Your aunt and uncle will try to stop you elsewise.”
“What about Aunt Lucinda? She’s not yet back. I can hardly go without a chaperone.”
Philip rolled his eyes.
“I’m afraid you cannot bring anyone with you. That’snothow Gretna Green is done.”
“I know that! I’m twitterpated by all this, that’s all. May I at least say goodbye to Helen?”
She was still stunned at the turn of events, and by her own meekness in going along with his outlandish plan.Would he let her say no?She couldn’t decide if Philip was doing this strictly for his own sake or also for hers. But while this wasn’t how she had ever pictured an engagement to be, she was honest enough with herself to admit she wanted to marry him nonetheless.
Apart from the rather consequential flaw of being a thundering buck, he was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a husband.
“Even your cousin may try to stop us, especially after reading that tell-all tale,” he said. “I think you should do as I say and tell no one.”
“Helen likes you very much, as does Peter. You’ve been extremely kind to them.” She considered everything he’d done. “You are truly a gentle man.”
She thought she detected the hint of a ruddy blush creeping up his face. Before she could be certain, however, he had hold of her arm and was tugging her toward the staircase.
“Hurry. We need to reach the blacksmith’s shop by sunset tomorrow.”
“Why?” she asked, rushing up the steps beside him.
“Because he’s the one who shall marry us, and he closes when the sun goes down.”
