“Yes, miss.” He pulled out a pocket watch. “We have an appointment.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. Why didn’t the man just announce it in Hanover Square? Hear ye, hear ye: Lady Madeleine and Mr. Dover elope to Gretna Green!
“An appointment?” Ashley said, her voice oozing sweetness. “May I ask the nature of this appointment?”
Mr. Dover considered, and Maddie waved her hands wildly behind Ashley’s back.
“Lady Madeleine,” Ashley said without turning around, “please refrain from making hand signals to Mister . . . ?”
“Dover,” he supplied.
Maddie threw her hands down in frustration. “Ah, Mr. Dover.”
Maddie could hear Ashley smiling and knew the elopement was doomed. No man could resist one of Ashley’s smiles. She closed her eyes and waited for the rising tide to surge over her head.
“I’d rather not discuss the nature of the appointment with you, miss,” Mr. Dover said, and Maddie gratefully clutched hold of this rescue boat. “May I speak with Lady Madeleine?”
“Certainly.” Ashley’s smile was still in place, but it was tight at the corners. “One moment.”
Ashley left the window and advanced on Maddie, who tried to move past her. But Ashley blocked her way, backing her into a corner. “Now, Ashley”—Maddie gave Dover a look pleading for patience—“it’s not what you think.”
Ashley raised one brow. “How do you know what I think?”
“Good point,” Maddie conceded. “Um, what do you think?”
Ashley stomped to Lord Westman’s desk, yanked the valise out from under it, and glared at Maddie. “I think you’re about to run away with Mr. Dover.”
Maddie swallowed. “Oh, then I suppose it is pretty much what you think.”
“Maddie!” Ashley exploded. “What are you thinking? What are you doing?”
Her boat was floating away, the water was rising again, and Maddie decided she might as well dive in and try to swim. “Listen, Ashley, I haven’t much time.”
Ashley nodded. “Fine. I haven’t much patience.”
“Well, believe it or not, nor do I,” Maddie said, surprised at the exasperation in her voice. “I am tired, Ashley. So tired of fending off proposal after proposal. Every day it’s another suitor, more bouquets, more flowery verses. I cannot take it any longer.”
“I understand your frustration,” Ashley said quietly.
Maddie knew she did. Ashley was so beautiful that she had garnered enough suitors to fill the seats of Parliament.
“Men can be bothersome,” Ashley agreed, “but eloping is not the solution. What about our pledge?”
Maddie felt guilt wash over her, but reminded herself that if the matter weren’t so desperate she wouldn’t be breaking their childhood pact— though it wasn’t as if Josie and Catie hadn’t already broken it. “Ashley, I’m sorry. You know I wouldn’t break my promise unless I absolutely had to. This is an emergency.”
“Emergency. Right.” Ashley looked at the floor. “Everyone’s had an adventure but me.”
Maddie shook her head. “That’s just it, Ashley. I don’t want adventure. I just want to do my charitable works and be left in peace. Mr. Dover won’t try to stop me or control me. He’ll be my partner.”
“And what about this—this Mr. Dover?” Ashley motioned to the window. “Who is he? What if his intentions are dishonorable?”
The girls turned as one to peer at Mr. Dover. He had his glasses off, polishing them, and was squinting in near blindness. He looked helpless as a mouse.
Ashley wasn’t convinced. “Looks can be deceiving. How do you know he’s not a murderer or a kidnapper? What if he takes advantage of you and then refuses to marry you?”
Maddie smiled. “Mr. Dover needs a wife as much as I need a husband. He has two small, sweet children that require a mother. Imagine me, a mother!” The thought filled her with warmth, and she pulled Ashley into a hug. “Good-bye, my friend. I promise to call as soon as we return.”
When she pulled back, Ashley’s blue-green eyes were filled with determination. Maddie had seen that look and knew it didn’t bode well. She hurried to retrieve her valise and hand it out the window to Mr. Dover.
