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James saw Olivia nudge her sister’s elbow. He tried to conceal a smile knowing that she did not want him to know she spoke of him.

I wonder how often she speaks of me?

There was such genuine warmth in Louiza’s voice that James felt a small weight settle upon his conscience. He had expected Louiza to be suspicious of him, perhaps even hostile, considering he had appeared out of nowhere and announced that he intended to marry her twin. Instead, she seemed almost relieved. James wondered whether the sisters' aunt had made him appear considerably more respectable by comparison.

His gaze returned to Olivia before he could stop it. That was a mistake. She was sitting with her hands folded over her lap, her dark hair slightly loosened from the hurried journey, and there was a quiet excitement in her expression that made something warm move through him. James immediately looked away.

He had noticed this irritating reaction several times and each time it annoyed him more. Whenever he looked at Olivia for too long, he became uncomfortably aware of her nearness, her scent, the softness of her voice, and the fact that he very much wanted to touch her. It was a juvenile reaction, and James had no patience for juvenile reactions. This was a convenient arrangement, not a romantic fairy tale.

He turned toward the window with exaggerated interest. "The journey should not take too long to Scotland," he remarked, studying the road as though its condition were the most fascinating subject in England. "We shall stop when necessary, and the horses will be changed ahead."

Olivia looked at him curiously. "And the baby?" she asked.

The question immediately drew his attention back to her. Her expression had softened, and James understood that, despite everything else occupying her mind, the child remained her greatest concern.

"He is perfectly fine," he assured her, leaning back into the seat. "My servants are caring for him, and he remains hidden. You shall see him soon."

Her shoulders relaxed visibly, and James felt an unexpected satisfaction at being able to give her that reassurance.

"We shall spend tonight in Scotland," he continued, deliberately focusing on practical matters. "Tomorrow morning we shall marry, and afterwards we shall return to Glenmore Manor."

Olivia and Louiza exchanged a glance, and James immediately suspected there was another problem.

Olivia hesitated before speaking. "There is one small difficulty."

James raised an eyebrow. "Only one?"

Louiza covered a smile with her hand.

Olivia gave him an amused look. "We have nothing with us that could possibly be considered suitable for wedding clothes."

James almost laughed. Of all the obstacles facing them, gowns were apparently the most pressing. "I have arranged everything," he said, settling back with satisfaction. "My Uncle Hubert will be waiting for us in Gretna Green. He has made the arrangements, and there will be clothes for everyone."

Louiza looked impressed. "You arranged all of that already?" she asked.

"I have been busy," James replied, allowing a hint of amusement into his voice. "My uncle is considerably more useful than most people realize. I owe him a great deal for his help in matters. He is reliable. You will like him." He paused before adding, "My uncle and Lady Louiza will be the witnesses."

Olivia blinked. "Louiza is to witness our marriage?"

"Unless she intends to object at the altar," James said.

Louiza laughed softly. "I assure you, Your Grace, I have no intention of doing so."

James nodded solemnly. "Excellent. It would be terribly inconvenient to argue with my own witness."

He then looked at Olivia, and his expression softened despite his efforts. "I apologize that, given the limited time, I could not have dresses custom-made for either of you," he said. "I have purchased several ready-made gowns instead. I hope they will be suitable."

Olivia looked genuinely surprised. "Thank you, Your Grace. I thought we would simply arrive and somehow manage."

"Somehow managing is a poor foundation for a marriage," James replied. "Though I admit it has become rather central to ours."

Her lips curved into a smile, and James felt that warmth again. He turned toward the window before it could become anything worse.

"A fresh dress for the wedding is already more than enough," she said. "I had not expected anything at all."

James studied her reflection faintly visible in the glass. She sounded sincere, and that sincerity unsettled him more than extravagance ever could. He had arranged gowns, transport, and an entire future in the space of a day, yet the one thing he could not arrange was the inconvenient pull he felt whenever Olivia smiled.

No, I must not get lost in this. This is an agreement. A solution. A practical arrangement designed to protect a child and restore an estate. Nothing more.