“Would you be opposed to a special licence?” In for a penny.
“Heavens, no. It would be perfect.”
That caught him by surprise. Again. A pleasant surprise, that is.
She caressed the crown of a flower. “My parents are going to leave soon for the Americas. They’ll be away for a while as my father has business to attend to there, and my uncle lives in Boston. We could get married before they leave. What do you think?”
The option of having to organise a big wedding months ahead wasn’t appealing. A special licence would allow him to get married quickly without too much fuss. Given enough time, Grandmama would plan a ridiculously pompous wedding with a flight of white doves at the exit of the church, a string quartet, and a banquet that would make the parties thrown at Versailles look like a quick repast.
Hell, no.
Just the thought of a wedding reception with two hundred guests from all over the kingdom and Europe gave him a fever. Not to mention all the dinner parties and balls he would need to attend before the wedding, showing his face to everyone in the country and enduring gossip about his looks. Even without the scar, he would hate the endless number of parties and the ceremonious hustle.
Enough reasons to buy a special licence.
“I agree. I’m not fond of frills and fuss.”
As he glanced up at the house, he spotted Grandmama watching them from a window. She wouldn’t approve of a quick marriage, but it was his wedding and his bride. And he was tired of not doing anything without a meticulous plan. Life was too short, as the duel had taught him. He wanted to be impulsive for once, and Isabella was the perfect reason to be.
“Is this what you want?” he asked. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Her voice quivered, but her stare never left his face.
He exhaled, realising only then how much he’d wanted her to agree to marry him. He hadn’t allowed himself to hope after the incident, but she’d obviously thought about him a lot. That humbled and pleased him to no end.
“I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you.” She rose on her tiptoes and hugged him, and for the third time, he was pleasantly surprised.
The hug felt too good. Her soft body pressed against him, and her sweet scent made him dizzy. He held her by the waist, incredulous that a wonderful woman like Isabella wanted to marry him. He felt guilty for all those times in his life when he’d been pessimistic or gloomy.
She blushed again, a delicious peach colour that exalted her black eyes.
“Thank you,” he said.
“It’s me who should be grateful.”
Lawson politely coughed from the corner where she stood.
She withdrew quickly, cheeks red. “I’m sorry. I got carried away.”
“Your spontaneity is one of the many qualities I admire about you.” He kissed her trembling hand. “I might go to Doctors’ Commons today. What better reason to leave the house?”
“Great.” She seemed relieved.
He released her hand. The hand that soon would wear a wedding ring. “I’m looking forward to starting our new life together.”
“So am I.”
“Let’s tell Grandmama.”
“Let’s elope.”
He laughed. “Grandmama isn’t as harsh as she seems.”
Not even Grandmama’s cold scowl could ruin Anthony’s mood when he entered the sitting room. Grandmama was at the desk, writing letters. She removed her glasses and folded them carefully before straightening them.
“I have news, Grandmama.”
