Page 82 of Wedding the Widow

“Go to Gretna Green and marry in Scotland.” Mama’s head snapped with military precision toward the sofa, where Dotty and Bella sat, their mouths opened in perfect Os. “You did not hear that, girls, and if you did, you will forget the name at once.”

“Yes, Mama,” they said together, looking askance at one another.

Gretna Green. The Scottish border town that had seen hundreds of elopements since Lord Hardwicke’s Marriage Act had been put into law last century. Never in her life had she considered eloping to Gretna Green. Girls from nice families did not do that.

“That would do the trick, my lady.” Jemmy gazed fondly at Mama. “We can be there in four or five days.”

“If the weather holds,” her father put in as he moved to stand behind Mama’s chair. “If not, it may take longer.”

“As I see it, Wentworth, it is our only option.” Mama reached up to take his hand. “All other avenues seem closed to them. We must think of Elizabeth’s reputation as well as the other girls. If everything comes to light, it will still be better if they are already married. Blackham will not be able to put aside a marriage.”

“What about the—” Elizabeth cut her eyes toward her sisters, then sighed. It just hurt to say the words aloud, even if the girls already knew. “What about the child? Five days banging along in a cold carriage cannot be good for him.”

“Have you decided it’s a boy?” Jemmy grinned at her.

She smiled back and squeezed his hand. “I might as well dream I carry your heir until I find out differently.”

“We will go slowly, my love. Take perhaps six days to travel the distance and stop to rest each night,” he said, trying to assure her. “I will keep you both safe.”

“Yes, we certainly will.” Rattling her teacup into its saucer, Mama set a beady eye on Jemmy. “Wentworth and I will accompany you in the carriage so no new scandal will rear its head regarding your lodgings on the way.”

“You will go with us, Mama?” Stranger things could happen than having one’s mother accompany one to be married at Gretna Green, but very few she’d wager. Especially as her mother hated traveling.

“There seems absolutely no other way for you to be wed, and wed you must.” Mama raised an eyebrow at Papa. “You agree with me, don’t you, Wentworth?”

“Uh, yes, yes, of course, my dear.” Papa’s face reddened as he tugged at his cravat, suddenly too tight, perhaps? “We should go to offer chaperonage and advice.”

“It is settled then.” With an imperious air, Mama nodded so fiercely her coiffure toppled, bringing her hair down over one eye.

“What about us?” Dotty, who had been silent up until now, suddenly found her tongue. “We want to go with you and see Elizabeth and Lord Brack married. I daresay it will be the closest thing I ever see to an elopement.”

“Indeed, you will not go.” The words were snapped so quickly they could have cut like a knife. Mama’s glare fixed Dotty like a bug on a pin. “This family chamber is the closest you will ever come to Gretna Green if I have anything to say about it, Dotty. And Isabella”—quick as a March hare, Mama turned her attention to her second daughter, who sat calmly drinking tea on the corner of the chaise—“you will not accompany us either. I shall have Aunt Dorothea, your namesake, come and stay with you and the children while we are away.” A triumphant gleam appeared in her eye. “No one will find fault with my sister’s chaperonage. She will keep you company and out of mischief while your father and I are from home.”

“But, Mama!” Both girls cried in unison, and Elizabeth’s heart went out to them. Aunt Dorothea’s ideas about strictness made Mama look positively lenient.

Holding up her hand, Mama stopped them from saying another word. “I will not have you gadding about as unchaperoned girls. Else we shall have to take up permanent residence in Gretna Green. It simply is not done, no matter the circumstances.”

Her sisters subsided back onto the chaise to mull the turn of events over with sober countenances.

“Then it is settled?” Elizabeth gazed expectantly from Jemmy to her parents.

“Yes, my love.” He kissed their entwined fingers. “It may take a week, but we will wed in the end. Then my father will have to cease with his infernal plotting. Perhaps, in time, he will come to accept you as my wife and this child as his grandchild.”

“It will be a cold day in hell when Blackham gives up one of his schemes.” Mama rose, and Jemmy shot to his feet. “However, I will be glad of the chance to ruin this one. Come, Elizabeth. I shall oversee the packing for the journey. Weller will be awash in trunks if we are not careful. We must leave at first light.”

Getting slowly to her feet, Elizabeth was overcome with weariness beyond belief. All this turmoil was wearing her out. Once she and Jemmy were married, she wouldn’t leave her bed for a week. Snickering, she shot a glance at her betrothed and caught a confused face. Perhaps Jemmy would feel the same way when the time came. A thoroughly pleasant prospect.

* * *

The morning dawned clear and cold, an icy gray sky giving way to brilliant pinks and oranges as the sun rose. It caught Elizabeth yawning as Jemmy helped her into the sleek family landau. She’d gotten very little sleep, for Weller’s lack of ability to pack silently could not be underestimated. Coupled with her own worries and fears, the stealthy noise of rustling linen and thumping chests had kept her tossing and turning in her bed. Pray God, she could nod off when they were safely out of London.

“You do not look well, my love.” Jemmy seated her in the forward-facing seat, himself across from her.

“Merely fatigued with the activities of the night. I scarcely slept a wink.” She settled down into the comfortable black leather seats, relaxing at once. As soon as Mama and Papa arrived, they could leave and perhaps she could nap.

“I will try to persuade your parents that the haste can be spared a bit.” His worried frown was endearing. “If Lady Locke has not yet received my father’s letter, then we shall be married before the lady can slander you or me. Therefore, we must take the journey in easy, but quick, stages.

“We must not alter our plans, Jemmy.” She nodded toward her parents, approaching the carriage.