“Be sure, Iseabail,” the countess said. “Once done, this cannot be undone.”
She looked at Reuben. In some ways, he was a complete stranger, and yet she was about to chain herself to him for the rest of her life.
Was she crazy? Yes.
Was she desperate? Absolutely.
Was this the biggest gamble of her life? Of course.
And yet, with him, she believed.
“I’m positive.”
Chapter Seventeen
Once committed toan action, there was no stopping the countess. Iseabail admired such bold determination as the lady demanded an audience with the archbishop. Privately, Iseabail didn’t think it would work, but to her shock, they were admitted immediately. Apparently, even godly men indulged their curiosity, and the attack in Hyde Park was the first topic of conversation. The countess took that opening and spun it into a tale that ended in marriage.
Immediately.
She and Mr. Bates were wed that very moment. She carried no flowers, her parents were not there, and no one sang songs for their union. But the countess was there to help adjust her dress and hair. Sadie stood by her side and gifted her with her favorite fan. And at the last moment, Mr. Bates’s aunt arrived with rings.
Iseabail spoke the words of the ceremony as she was directed. She watched in stunned awe as he slipped an exquisite emerald onto her finger. Then she lifted her face to his for his kiss. She expected a quick buss on the lips. They were standing before an archbishop, after all. But Mr. Bates—Reuben—was not one to be restrained by the presence of a cleric.
He took her mouth slowly, teasing her until she softened into him. Then he plunged inside once, twice, in a scorching penetration, before he pulled back just enough to look into her dazed eyes. “Soon, love,” he whispered.
She blinked, abruptly coming back to herself. Good Lord, they were in the archbishop’s private chapel. Had Reuben just bent her over his arm and… and… Good lord, her face was flaming. As was the archbishop’s! And the damned man—her husband—gave her a wink as if they were in a tavern and she a serving maid.
She looked to the countess, who merely shrugged. The message was clear. Iseabail had made her choice, and now she had to live by it.
Iseabail had no problem with that. She thanked the archbishop, pressed a kiss to Sadie’s cheek, and turned to where her husband was speaking to his aunt in a low, urgent tone.
“He’s to bring his best fighters and come quiet. No need to make a fuss.”
“He knows what he’s about,” his aunt answered. “But what about—”
He shook his head. “You were right. I’ve held on too tight.”
She frowned at him. “I know I’m right, but what has that to do—”
“You’re on your own now. All of you. All the businesses, all the family. I’ve been holding on too tight, and it’s choking the life out of you.”
She gaped at him. “Is that why you’re going to Scotland? Because you couldn’t let us be for a while? You could have gone to Cornwall and dipped your toes in the water instead.”
He chuckled. “I could have.” He reached out and grabbed Iseabail’s hand, reeling her to his side. “I chose Scotland instead.”
“Are you coming back?”
“’Course I am. A month, probably. Maybe a bit longer. And I’ll have an accounting from all of you. Those that have mucked things up will be out. And then I’ll give someone else a chance.”
The woman shook her head. “You’re right crazy, you are, but then, that’s always been true. No grass grows beneath your feet, does it?”
“It’ll grow in Scotland.”
The lady snorted. “I’d love to see that, but that ain’t yer way.” She looked to Iseabail and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Best wishes to you. You nabbed yourself a live one, you have, but I doubt you’ll keep him. Best set your expectations low.”
“Aunt Judy!” Outrage hardened his tone, but his aunt didn’t seem to hear it.
“I give it three weeks,” she said to Iseabail. “He’ll get restless, and you’ll make yourself miserable trying to hold on.” She lifted up Iseabail’s hand to flash the emerald in the late afternoon sunlight. “Still, you got a good bargain, I’d say. And there are worse things than an absent husband.” She grunted as she turned back to her nephew. “Best get going before the sun sets. I hear there are highwaymen on the road north.”
