“I’ll also have to try and acquire a special license on your behalf,” Lance said. “The one you were meant to use today won’t work in another parish.”
Damnation. James hadn’t thought about that but Lance was right. “Fine.” Reaching into his jacket pocket he retrieved thirty pounds and handed the money to Lance. “This should help butter up the archbishop. You’ll need my father’s help, of course, in order to sign for it.”
Lance pocketed the coins and crossed to Abigail. “If all goes well, you and James will be married tomorrow.” He bent and kissed her cheek, then turned to James. “I’ll give the innkeeper a quick account of what happened on my way out and ask him to call the magistrate.”
“Thank you, Lance.” Seeing the hesitance in the younger man’s gaze as he gave Abigail one final glance, James said, “I’ll protect her with my life.”
They shared a quick look then Lance was off.
A groan came from where Chesterfield lay, causing Abigail to flinch. “Can you stand?” James asked her.
She nodded and pushed herself slowly away from the bed. When she swayed, James quickly reached out to steady her by her elbow. “Here,” he murmured, handing her his handkerchief so she could blow her nose. Chesterfield emitted another groan and James realized he was now moving his legs. It wouldn’t be long before he was fully awake.
As if sensing the same thing, Abigail clutched hold of James’s hand. “I don’t want to face him. I just want to leave.” Her breaths grew louder and faster. “Can we please go? Can we—”
“Yes. Of course.” James scooped her up in his arms and marched into the hallway. A couple of brawny fellows were approaching from the stairs.
“You Mr. Townsbridge?” one of them asked. When James answered in the affirmative, the man said, “The innkeeper sent us up to keep an eye on the troublemaker.”
Thanking the men, James descended the stairs where the innkeeper himself was ready to assist. “I’m sorry about earlier,” he said. “I didn’t realize the man you were chasing had kidnapped your wife. The gall of him to snatch her like that right after the wedding! I’m just surprised you didn’t kill him.”
“I was tempted,” James said once he’d set Abigail on her feet. He didn’t correct the man with regard to their marital status since Lance had obviously lied in order to protect his sister’s reputation for as long as possible. “If you could please write to me at this address and inform me of Mr. Chesterfield’s arrest,” he said as he handed the innkeeper his card, “I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course.” The innkeeper slipped the card into a book he kept on a tall writing desk near the front door. “I believe your friend left his phaeton for you to use and took a horse instead.”
Relieved to hear it, James thanked the man and escorted Abigail out of the inn to where Lance’s sporty vehicle stood waiting.
