He shook his head at the enormity of his realization.
But he was getting ahead of himself. With a sinking stomach, he realized he must first face the backlash from this event, with the bishop. There was only one way to deal with this problem—head on.
Clarissa must not have her name tarnished by the scandal of living with him. There was only one sure way to stop that happening.
They must marry.
As soon as possible. By bishop’s license.
There was no other choice.That path required a sworn statement from both of them averring there was no legal reason they couldn’t marry. Could he fulfil those requirementsbefore he had to face a disciplinary meeting with the bishop—the likely result of Fanny’s tale reaching him?
There was only one way to achieve his goal. He must see the bishop today and plead for the license on the grounds that he must marry Clarissa to give her a home and protection as she was alone in the world.
If she would have him.
Clarissa looked stricken, her eyes wide and her cheeks pale. “I didn’t know you were engaged. Why didn’t you say? I would have found another place to stay.”
“We were not officially engaged. Long ago I realized that I didn’t love Fanny. I haven’t seen her for over a year, hoping she would change her mind and realize what we experienced was only a youthful infatuation.”
Her mouth formed an ‘o’ and a frown still crossed her forehead.
“Come Clarissa, we need to get to the theatre.” He grabbed her elbow and set her in motion. After a moment’s resistance, she moved forward and they hurried towards Covent Garden.
“Clarissa, I have something to ask you,” he said after a few minutes striding through the busy streets. He halted them. “Your name will be sullied by the gossip Fanny’s father will spread far and wide and I may face expulsion from the church when my bishop summons me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that you will be punished for helping me. I—”
He cut her off. “I see only one way out of our predicament. You must marry me.”
She froze and gaped at him. “Frank, I’m flattered, I’m sure, but…but—”
“There is no other way. I’ll go to the bishop this afternoon and obtain a license before Miss Hodges and her father can do their harm through whispering in the bishop’s ear tomorrow. We must marry at St Paul’s Church.”
Clarissa’s face softened. “Thank you, Frank, but I’m not ready for marriage and babies. Not before I’ve succeeded on the stage. Can you see me as a mother? I think not. I’m far too self-centered for that. At least, not yet…until my acting career is firmly established.”
“I’m offering you a marriage of convenience. There will be no infants to stifle your career. The marriage will never be consummated unless you change your mind.”
She stared at him opened mouthed for a moment. “No, Frank, I can’t. I appreciate your concern for me.” She tugged on his arm. “Come now, I must get to the theatre for rehearsal.”
“Think about it while you’re there. I’ll collect you afterwards, bringing all the paperwork necessary, and ask you again.” He had no intention of giving up on his plan yet.
After walking her to the stage door, Francis took a hackney to his brother-in-law’s solicitor then hurried to St Paul’s to consult his employer, the Reverend Randolph, about his intention to marry by bishop’s license.
***
Hours later, Francis arrived back at The Regent Theatre—only to see Viscount Travener in front of him striding purposefully towards Clarissa’s dressing room. Francis bolted forward as the man entered Clarissa’s dressing room without knocking.
He wrenched open the door to find Clarissa struggling to free herself from the blackguard’s embrace. Francis lunged forward and crashed his walking stick across the man’s shoulders. “Unhand her, you rogue!”
Travener staggered back, releasing Clarissa, who threw herself onto Francis’s arms.
“Get out!” Francis yelled at Travener, threatening him again with his stick.
The man slunk out of the room. “I’ll get you for this, Brody.” Travener snarled.
“You can try,” Francis jeered before turning to Clarissa. “Are you hurt?” he asked her.
Clarissa’s hands trembled in his. “No, but I fear that wouldn’t be the case had you not arrived just in time.”
