Concerned over her sudden change in mood—she had been so happy until the mention of the viscount—David angled his body so he could better see her face. “What’s happened?”
Marian dipped her head so her nose ended up in the bouquet. She inhaled deeply before she lifted her face. “He proposed marriage. Several years ago,” she said.
“To you?” David asked in alarm.
She gave him a quelling glance.
“Oh, I apologize. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” David said as his eyes widened. “I just meant... I wasn’t aware... well, I didn’t realize he wasn’t already married,” he said lamely.
“He’s a widower,” she explained. “Thought he was doing me—or Uncle, maybe—a favor. I told him I would think on it.” She lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “I didn’t really need to think on it. I knew I did not wish to marry him, so I gave him my answer the next time I saw him.”
“Thank you for turning down his offer,” David said, placing a hand over hers.
She gave him a wan grin. “I think he’s still sore at me. But I told Uncle I couldn’t marry him. He’s old enough to be my father, and I didn’t wish to be part of a marriage of convenience.”
“I cannot blame you,” David replied. “Besides, he’s a bit of a toad. You’re much better off with me.”
Marian giggled. “I already know I am,” she murmured as the coach came to a halt in front of the club.
Pulling the Soho Club cards from his waistcoat pocket—one for entry and the one for the person who could marry them—David offered his arm as they made their way along the pavement to the club’s door. The footman had it opened before David had a chance to show his card.
“Might you know where I could find the person who performs the wedding ceremonies?” David asked.
The footman regarded the calling card a moment and a grin lightened his face. “Mrs. Skarsgard will see to the arrangements. Have you a license?”
“Indeed,” David replied, patting his topcoat. He had stuffed the document into a hidden pocket that morning, worried it might be lost otherwise.
“She’ll take care of the particulars and see to it you two are married by noon. Be sure to stay for the breakfast before you head off.”
Marian and David exchanged quick glances, deciding they wouldn’t mention they would be keeping their rooms for another night at the club. If the footman from the night before had relayed David’s instructions, then Marian’s lady’s maid would have her clothes packed and ready for her to depart for Engleston Park the next morning.
They gave their coats and hats to the club’s butler and made their way up the stairs to Mrs. Skarsgard’s office.
“Ah, you’ll be needing our wedding services,” she said before David had a chance to tell her why they were there.
“You already know?” Marian asked.
The proprietress motioned to the bouquet of flowers Marian held. “New gown, flowers, matching waistcoat...” she replied with a shrug. “The chapel is ready, and the priest will join you there in a half-hour.”
“Chapel?” David repeated.
“Downstairs, end of the hall past the card parlor,” she replied. “We’ll have cake and a breakfast ready for you and your guests once the ceremony is complete.”
David and Marian exchanged glances of surprise. “That’s very kind of you,” David said.
“Well, this is the Soho Club. If we couldn’t see to marrying the couples who meet under our roof, then we wouldn’t be doing our jobs now, would we?”
Marian beamed in delight. “Would you know the whereabouts of Lord Penhurst? I should like him to know about the arrangements.”
“You’ll find him and the viscount in the card parlor. It’s rather quiet in there this morning as most of our other guests have departed.”
“Thank you,” David said as he offered Marian his arm.
They made their way down the stairs and were about to enter the card parlor when they overheard Richard make a comment. Both stopped short.
Marian’s eyes rounded as she stared at David.
David furrowed his brows and scoffed.
“Is it true?” Marian asked in a whisper, her eyes brightening with tears.
Shaking his head, David said. “How could it be?”
