If one could even call these hasty Gretna Green ceremonies a wedding. The entire recitation would take two minutes in front of a blacksmith, if that long.
Gwenys was sentimental. Miranda hoped her niece would not be disappointed by the businesslike brevity of what should have been the most important moment in her life.
As for her, she’d had a big wedding with plenty of family and friends invited. Within the month, she’d realized the marriage had been a catastrophic mistake.
Miranda shook out of the thought. “Gwenys, I’ll be with you for as long as you need me.”
Gwenys smiled. “Let’s think of this as a grand adventure. We’ll return to London after the wedding to the cheers of all our friends on Duchess Square.”
“Is this what Douglas told you?”
Miranda knew that Douglas had duties at Lanark Castle. Could Solway spare him for an entire month or longer? Was it not more likely that Douglas and Gwenys would ride straight north to Lanark Castle afterward?
When she mentioned this to Gwenys, the girl’s smile faltered. “How could he take me there when all my belongings are here? And I would never allow you to travel back to London on your own.”
Miranda nibbled her lip, for this was what she’d feared. Gwenys had not thought this through completely. She had been so caught up with falling in love that important details had been overlooked. “Think about this carefully. Once you marry Douglas, your life is with him. And his life is in Scotland.”
“We did not discuss our plans beyond the wedding ceremony,” Gwenys admitted. “I was so frightened out of my wits when Papa burst in here to take me home that all I wanted or thought about was to be safely married.”
Her father’s brutish attempt to reclaim her was reprehensible, and perhaps had led to a rushed decision.
Gwenys must have read Miranda’s mind. “I am certain about my feelings for Douglas. My only concern is about how to get you home safely and deliver my belongings up to Douglas’s home in a way that makes sense. There’s also a bit of sorrow involved,isn’t there?Youare my home, and have been my rock of love and protection until now. It will be hard for me to part from you.”
Miranda nodded. “It is so hard for me, too. You have been a blessing for me. But you deserve a happy life with Douglas.”
Gwenys frowned. “I hope those two witches keep away from you. I worry about what they plan for you once they realize they cannot use me for their evil purposes.”
“I am not afraid of them,” Miranda lied—although was it truly a lie? Had she not gained some measure of confidence over these past few weeks? Perhaps not complete confidence, but she was no longer a pathetic weakling. She refused to ever be frozen in fear by them again.
Gwenys gave her a hug and laughed softly. “We both need to work on our bravery skills. Am I not worse?”
Miranda smiled. “Oh, I think I win the prize for cowardice. Look at me. I am so afraid to make another mistake in marriage that I hurt Solway deeply. I was unpardonably rude to the best man I have ever met. This is why I need to go now and make thing right with him.”
“And accept his marriage proposal,” Gwenys insisted.
Miranda returned her niece’s hug. “We’ll see if he will even talk to me.”
She had ordered her carriage brought around earlier and now saw it waiting for her at the front gate.
Mr. Barrow had patrolled the grounds last night. He nodded to her as she walked out of her house. “Good morning, m’lady.”
“Good morning, Mr. Barrow. Was all quiet during the wee hours?”
“Yes, all quiet. Not even the rustle of a cat prowling among the flowers in your garden.”
After extending her gratitude for his diligence, Miranda climbed into her carriage and directed her driver to Solway’s residence, which was not very far away.
The ride took a mere five minutes, but to her dismay, Solway had already left for the day.
“Oh dear. Would you know where I might find him?” she asked his butler.
His expression turned wary. “Forgive me, madam, but I am not at liberty to disclose this information.”
“Oh, of course. Quite understandable.” She tried to hide her disappointment. “Would you please let him know when he returns that Lady Miranda Lawson called on him?”
“Lady Miranda?” The man immediately softened. “Oh, my apologies. Please do come in. Laird Douglas is here and will be able to tell you His Grace’s schedule.”
Douglas walked downstairs at that moment and heard this last exchange. He quickly strode forward. “Is everything all right with Gwenys?”
