Calstone strode over. “The sun will be gone in a few hours. Are we finding lodgings or transport to start home?”
“Lodgings,” Will said. He had a lot of nerve. This much he had discovered about himself today. But when faced now with Harriet’s fall, he lost a bit. At least the part that pressed him to return posthaste.
He would give Harriet this night. They might even be able to have a decent talk before they wed. Perhaps they could understand each other better. Will didn’t hold out much hope, but he ought to at least try.
Tomorrow they could set out again at a leisurely pace. More time for them to form an understanding.
“Good,” Calstone said. “It’s best to get a pair bloody shoes and a good night’s rest. Tomorrow, you wed.”
At Harriet’s dirty look, Will shot his friend a glare.
His words only provoked her to put her shield up higher. Lest he wanted her to do something even more reckless thanboarding a ship to another continent, like executing them both in their sleep, it was best not to mention their wedding until they were back in London.
Should he abandon a hasty marriage and instead have the banns read after all? That would surely allow her time to warm to him. He never wanted a reluctant bride. Never imagined their betrothal would come to this. But boarding a ship to the Americas moved her well beyond putting up a degree of resistance. Every grimace and glare on her part equated to rubbing coarse salt in an open wound.
No. He just couldn’t take the chance to delay this marriage. Far more worrying than the chance that she might run off again, she could also be snatched away by one of the men who had a fortune to win on a wager. Men without good intentions at all.
When he thought about all the wagers going around London, the greediness reflected in them, the discomfort in Will’s heart outweighed anything else.
The risk was too great.
His little bride had inspired the most wagers of all the women on that list. He simply couldn’t wait. If anything happened to her because of his hesitation, Will would never forgive himself. If only his good intentions did not make him a villain in her eyes.
He would start remedying that from this moment onward.
Will patted his chest where the license . . .
Christ.
He had stuffed the license in his jacket which he had carelessly disregarded at the docks before diving into the water. That coat would already have been carried off by a quick-witted thief.
Will cursed.
Why the devil had he been so careless? But he knew why. He lost every bit of his common sense when it came to Harriet Hillstow. Not only did she rob him of his breath, but she alsorobbed him of every sensible faculty, leaving only a chaotic mess behind. He’d never bumbled about like this in his life.
“What’s the matter?” The vixen smiled at him, her gaze flicking to his chest and back.
She knew.Or at least she had already deduced the possibility.
Will arched a brow, willing his heart to remain calm. And utterly, unequivocally failed. “I’ll get another one.”
The corner of her lips quirked. “You have quite the contacts.”
Calstone looked over. “What’s the matter?”
“The special license,” Will muttered. “Jacket pocket. Docks.”
Calstone froze before he burst out laughing. “What is it with your luck, old chap?”
“Perhaps fate is hinting at something.” Harriet’s smile turned crooked.
“Fate is certainly testing my resolve.”
“You are clearly resolved,” she agreed. “Uncomfortably so.”
Calstone slapped him on the shoulder. “Thought you didn’t believe in fate.”
Will shrugged him off. “I make you uncomfortable?” he asked Harriet.
