Lady Windham linked her arm with Louise’s. “I’ve always thought it might be nice to have a sister. In my opinion, you’d be a good one.”
“I’m lucky to have your support,” Louise said. “Lord knows the situation I find myself in would be a thousand times worse if I didn’t.”
Lady Windham chuckled. “I was once in a similar situation. Trust me when I tell you, I know how it feels to be faced with nothing but obstacles and impossible choices. Having powerful allies is invaluable.”
They exited the ballroom and made their way through a corridor. “I would have liked to avoid eloping,” Louise confessed, “but given my father’s position on my having anything to do with your brother, I’m not sure we’ll have another choice.”
“Speak with Marcus. Between the two of you the situation may be simpler to solve.”
Louise hoped so, even though she herself found it near impossible to discover a way out of the problem. Every time she tried to come up with a plan, it ended up involving her sneaking out of her house in the dead of night so she and Marcus could be on their way to Scotland before anyone realized she was missing.
Having reached the study, Lady Windham opened the door and ushered Louise inside. “I’ll wait for you out here so you may speak in private.”
“Thank you, Regina.” Marcus’s voice was low and measured, instilling in Louise a fierce temptation to run straight into his arms.
She did so the moment Regina was gone, crossing the distance between them with urgent steps until he was within her reach. “Thank God you’re here.”
Without hesitation she flung her arms around his neck and met his mouth with her own in a kiss born from endless longing and desperation. Lord help her, she’d missed him—the feel of his much stronger body holding her close, of his familiar scent, and the wonderful completeness she experienced when they were together.
His hands splayed across her back as he deepened the kiss, telling her without the need for words that he’d missed her too and that he was grateful to have her near. It was an exchange wrought not only from the love they harbored for each other, but from the awareness of the struggle ahead. It wouldn’t be easy, but Louise was confident she would withstand whatever scandal they had to face, no matter how great, as long as Marcus would be her reward.
“It is so incredibly good to see you again,” he said, nuzzling her cheek with his nose. A few soft kisses followed and then a satisfied sigh. He stepped back and met her gaze with warmth and clarity. “You look radiant, Louise. Absolutely stunning.”
Her cheeks heated in response to his words. “I wish we could walk out into the ballroom together and dance.”
His expression cooled a fraction. A crease appeared on his brow. “I fear that will never be possible.”
“I’m sure it will one day.” She took his hand and clasped it tight. “In a year or two, once the world has gotten over the fact that we’re married, we’ll find a way back into Society.”
“And what if we don’t?”
“Your sister has, so it’s not impossible.”
“Regina married a duke, Louise. Her situation is entirely different.”
“She’s still the daughter of a murderer.”
“Yes, but rather than lose a title, she gained a more impressive one.” He sighed. “There is no road back to Society for me.”
“Then we’ll have to manage without, I suppose.”
With reverence, he raised her hand and placed a kiss upon her knuckles. “I’ve spent the days since we last met thinking things through, and then today I received a response to the letter I wrote Von Gräfe.”
“In German?”
“No. He responded in French, just like I requested.” Marcus let Louise’s hand go and studied her a moment before saying, “He has invited me to visit with him as a guest lecturer at the University of Berlin. The idea is for us to exchange knowledge while I am there. He has already offered to instruct me in the technique he has developed for eyelid surgery.”
Every joy Louise had experienced since Lady Windham had told her Marcus desired her company withered.
Don’t be selfish. This is his dream.
She forced herself to remain calm, to not reveal the anxiety presently sweeping through her. “When would you have to leave?”
“Classes begin in less than three weeks, so I would depart from here the day after tomorrow.”
Louise sucked in a breath. “So soon? But that will barely give us enough time to meet with a vicar, never mind solve the logistics involved in a secretive wedding. I thought we would have more time but…” Inspiration struck. “Perhaps we can marry in Germany?”
The look he gave her was filled with regret. And yet, there was something else there - a sort of resolve. “I think we ought to wait. In fact, it is my opinion that it would be good for us to spend some time apart.”
