Married by Moonlight Page 18

“Yours and…?”

  “Oh, myself and my friends.” Anna smiled quickly. “I think he says a lot of things in order to draw attention to himself. He seems intent on upsetting Miss Hayes most of the time, and that would be because she dislikes him.”

  “Really? I hadn’t sensed that.”

  “Portia goes out of her way to avoid Lord Wade. She is always complaining about him watching her. Just the other day they were both here in this room. The air was so thick with tension it was a relief to have them gone.”

  Her betrothed considered her remark a moment. “He disapproves of her?”

  “I suspect he likes her, actually, but Portia will have none of him, though he has never confirmed his interest other than a vague mention of ‘being at the denial stage’ with the object of his affections. Unfortunately, her parents remain oblivious, and have forced them together by inviting him to dinner and tea of late. Which reminds me, would you care for tea?”

  “Yes, thank you. That would be lovely.”

  Anna turned to Jane. “Would you mind asking Cook for a tea tray to be sent up soon? For yourself too, Jane.”

  “Thank you, Miss. I’ll be back in a moment.” Jane slipped from the room with a soft laugh.

  “There,” Anna said as she faced her betrothed. “Alone at last. I’m sure you did not come to visit me just to pass the whole time in idle gossip.”

  His smile was immediate. “Well, perhaps not only to gossip.”

  Anna threw herself into his arms as soon as he finished speaking. The investigation was important, but so too were the feelings he stirred in her. She needed to be kissed. Yearned for his arms to be wrapped around her body again.

  She found his lips and kissed him. Gilbert was quick to respond, cupping the back of her head with one hand to hold her near. Yet he drew back too soon, resting his head against hers in a way that melted her heart. “We’ll get in trouble for this if caught,” he whispered. “If Jane were to tattle…”

  “Then we’d better not get caught,” she said before kissing him again. “Jane will say nothing.”

  “Still,” he said, drawing back farther. “Should your Father come in, he would not be pleased with me.”

  He was probably right that she ought to restrain herself a little. Fighting her desires, she sat back and straightened her gown. “My father and mother had an affectionate courtship. He used to say that she made him feel wonderful just by stepping into the room. You do that for me, too.”

  “Your mother died when you were very young?”

  “Youngish. I remember a few things about her still. Her hands cupping my face, wrapping a blanket around me a little tighter on a cold night.” Anna smiled. “She liked bluebells best of all. Father still keeps pots of them about the house at all times even now.”

  “That is a sweet gesture.” His frown returned. “They had so little time together.”

  Her mother had died when she was four. They’d never had another child, and the loss of her had nearly broken her father’s heart into little pieces, he claimed. “A few years really. Father never considered remarriage, although I’m sure he had admirers.”

  Gilbert looked down on her. “I begin to understand only now why he wouldn’t want to marry again.”

  Jane returned while Anna fought another blush. Such a sweet thing to say but also sad, too.

  She poured him a cup of strong black tea, the way he liked it, and then offered him cake. She’d already gleaned some of his preferences. A discreet enquiry by Jane to his household staff had yielded surprisingly useful information. He was a man of simple tastes and habits, some of which mirrored her own. He would be easy to manage, to live with, if he was always honest with her.

  She felt he wasn’t being completely forthright today. “Something is wrong. I can feel it.”

  “Yes.” He smiled. “I am worried, Anna, about the delay we agreed to with our marriage.”

  “How so?”

  He moved closer, perching on the edge of his chair. “You and I have begun to know one another very well. But if certain aspects of our private rendezvous were known…”

  “I would be ruined.”

  “Considered ruined, yes,” he said. “I have begun to worry that the killer is someone you might know.”

  “I have thought of that, too. The victims were my friends, and my friends introduced me to theirs many times.”

  “You are not much different than the young ladies who met a grisly end. Young, unmarried, well dowered, pursued by scoundrels.” He winced. “You allowed me to capture you.”

  He felt guilty about what they had done together. “We are an engaged couple and you’re not a scoundrel.”

  “Without a date set for the wedding to occur, I fear you now stand out for closer scrutiny. We have been alone together several times now,” he murmured. “Even today.”

  “You want to announce our wedding date?”

  “I want to marry you and ensure your safety,” he told her.

  Anna stood, disturbed by his sudden haste. A few days ago, he’d been content to wait for as long as she needed. She had enjoyed getting to know him. She had enjoyed kissing him and touching. But now waiting, allowing her further time to explore this man and the depths of their feelings for each other, was something that made him concerned. “What has happened that makes you wish to rush?”

  He swallowed. “In speaking to others, now the truth is out in the open, it has been brought to my attention that the victims of this particular killer may have been considered to be too friendly when it came to the gentlemen courting them.”

  She spun about, offended by what he said of her friends even if there might be some truth to it. “They are my friends. Carmichael must deny such allegations.”

  “Not just with Carmichael, whose offenses I consider harmless.”

  She gaped. “You believe they were killed because they were considered fast.”

  “I am afraid it is a distinct possibility, whether they were or not.”

  The time she had spent alone with her betrothed would certainly damage her reputation if known or gossiped about. If anyone discovered she’d kissed him several times, perched boldly on his lap and allowed him liberty to touch her body, nay encouraged him to do so, while she touched him, she might as well paint a target over her heart, too.

  “What have I done?” she whispered.

  He stood and captured her hands in his. “Don’t be afraid, but do you understand why we must keep to a very proper courtship from now on? We should never be alone again, and you must never hint that we have been before.”

  A proper courtship would mean no more stolen kisses. She would see him, chaperoned at all times. They would dance together and talk in a crowd but never while alone together. Now she knew her own needs, she did not want to be proper anymore. “What you suggest is unacceptable.”

  “Anna,” he chided. “I only want to protect you.”

  “And you will.” She bit her lip. Now was not the time to grow timid again. “Did you by chance secure that special license you spoke of?”

  “I have one, but there are weeks left to use it.”

  Anna grinned. She did not want to wait weeks to kiss Gilbert again. She knew her own mind. “We will marry tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  She smiled at his surprise and brought his hands to her lips. She kissed them the way he kissed hers. “I don’t want to wait. I don’t want to miss another moment with you.”

  She didn’t want to die a virgin.

  Across the room, Jane quietly clapped with considerable excitement, bouncing in her chair. “At last, a wedding!”

  Gilbert threw a grin at Jane before turning back to Anna. “Your father may not like the rush.”

  “Everything is already decided. The housekeeper, Jane and I, and Portia Hayes have already planned what must be done on our wedding day. The wedding breakfast is already decided, guest list prepared, though it will take Jane and I most of today to be ready to leave for your home by t
omorrow afternoon.”

  Gilbert lowered himself to the arm of a chair and drew her close. He smiled up at her shyly. “You wouldn’t set a date for our marriage, but you meticulously planned for it anyway?”

  “I like to be prepared for anything.” She shrugged. “Tomorrow will go very smoothly, I’m sure. We will be married before the killer has a chance to strike and you will be free to catch them without worrying about my safety. Do you have someone in mind who might marry us that quickly?”

  “Yes, an old friend from the church has already said he would be happy to preside over our nuptials. I’ll visit him after I leave and make the necessary arrangement.”

  “Good. Eleven would suit for the ceremony, if you don’t mind.”

  Her betrothed smiled, holding her hands firmly. “All we need to do now is inform your father of our decision.”

  “We should see him together.”

  “That might be a fine idea.” Yet Gilbert made no move. He sat smiling up at her, a ridiculously happy grin on his face.

  Anna leaned down and kissed his lips quickly. “There.”

  “That will just hold me over until tomorrow,” he promised.

  “Me too.” She pulled him to his feet but he spun her around until she was leaning into him.

  “I’m ready, and my household is ready, for our marriage, too,” he confessed, dropping a kiss to her cheek.

  “I cannot wait to see my new home.” She looked across the room. “Neither can Jane. She will be coming with me, of course, to act as my lady’s maid.”

  “Excellent idea,” he agreed. “Let’s find your father and give him our happy news, shall we?”

  They trouped from the room arm in arm. Tomorrow she’d be a bride, a wife, a lover to the man who made her feel things she’d never dreamed of.

  Jane trailed after them, being the dutiful chaperone Father demanded. She promised to wait outside while they consulted with her father.

  Father’s study door was shut.

  They knocked at the same time and then grinned at each other.

  Father jerked the door open, scowling fiercely. “I said I wasn’t to be disturbed.”

  Anna faltered in the face of his expression. “Even by me? We have news, Papa.”

  She looked behind him to Carmichael, who was sitting before Papa’s desk, face ashen. Anna rushed across the room to him. “What is it?”

  “It is nothing, Anna.”

  “It does not look like nothing.” She turned on her father, putting herself in front of Carmichael. “What have you said to upset him? He has every right to consort with Bow Street to catch Angela’s killer if he wants to.”

  She felt a tug on her gown and turned. Carmichael was grinning up at her. “Are you attempting to protect me, Anna?”

  She frowned at him. “I approve of what you’re doing. Angela would too.”

  “We were just talking about her,” he promised, tears forming in his eyes again. “And how one day I would not feel such pain over her loss. I cannot imagine that.”

  “You’re young yet,” Father murmured. “The pain never goes away but we grow used to carrying it with us.”

  Carmichael nodded. “I loved Angela, and she’s gone, and there is nothing that can change that,” he murmured. “People depend on me at home. When the killer is brought to justice, hanged for their crimes, I intend to return to Edenmere and remain there for the rest of my life.”

  “You’ll feel differently in a year’s time,” Father told him. “You’ll long for friends to share new adventures with.”

  “Besides, we do expect you to visit us this summer in Kent,” she told Carmichael. She moved to stand at Gilbert’s side, curling her arm about his. “We have decided to marry tomorrow. Gilbert has a special license.”

  “Tomorrow?” Father and Carmichael said at once.

  “With your blessing of course, Father,” she murmured. “And yours too, Carmichael, since you will stand up with Gilbert. I would like to be safe and securely wed before Friday arrives. I know it could be dangerous but I want to help if I can, even if it is only to make sure my friends are never alone at the next ball.”

  “Congratulations,” Carmichael said, striding forward to shake Gilbert’s hand. “This is just the happy news I needed today.”

  Carmichael turned toward Anna. “May I?”

  Anna wasn’t sure what he meant, but when she stepped forward, Carmichael pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “He’s the best man I know. He’ll make you so happy.”

  It felt strange to be embraced by Carmichael, but she did not resist. “Thank you.”

  “Do you think we could be friends now?” he asked.

  “That depends on whether you intend to borrow my parasol ever again.”

  “No,” he said, and then chuckled softly against her hair. “I’ve no reason to hide in dovecotes anymore if you’re going to be married.”

  She felt a firm tug on her arm and looked around.

  “That’s enough of that,” Gilbert complained as she was dragged from Carmichael’s embrace to his. “She’s mine now.”

  Carmichael laughed and turned to her father. “What do you say, sir, shall we drink another toast to the happy couple?”

  “Yes, I think so. In a moment.” Her father looked at her with his lips pressed together, but then he held out his arms. She rushed to him, and her father held her tightly. “I will miss you, daughter. I will miss you very much.”

  “I will miss you too,” she whispered.

  When her father drew back, his eyes were suspiciously moist.

  Carmichael drew his attention immediately. “Now, sir, what are you doing for Christmas this year? Anna said you might have plans but if not, I’d be very pleased to have your company. My dear godmother may even join us if we are fortunate.”

  Carmichael clapped Father on the back and led him toward the whiskey, winking over his shoulder as he went. “Nothing needs to change between us, sir, when Anna marries old Sorenson here,” he promised. “Except now we may both indulge in the contents of my wine cellar without Anna glaring at us all night.”

  Chapter 21

  Gilbert was nervous as he mounted the steps to Anna’s the next day. At his side, a vicar that would marry them, an old friend from his college days who had joined the church with him.

  He rapped on the door and was let in. He’d sent a note last night to confirm all was well, and another when he first woke, to let Anna know he was thinking of her.

  He was shown to the drawing room, where Anna sat waiting with her father. He sighed at the sight of her. She looked lovely, if a little pale. The rush of the marriage would be unsettling, so he would forgive her any awkwardness that might arise. He felt a little of that, too.

  “Miss Beasley,” he said as he stepped forward to kiss the back of the hand she held out to him. “May I introduce an old acquaintance of mine? This is Mr. Jackson Fielding, of St. Bartholomew the Less. He’s graciously agreed to marry us today.”

  “Leave off the remarks about my age, Sorenson. I’m only a few days your senior.” He held out his hand to Anna. “How do you do, Miss Beasley?”

  “Very well, thank you,” she said, smiling widely. “I am so glad you could be here today to marry us.”

  Fielding narrowed his eyes on her. “Are you sure you want to marry him?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Well, look at him. He’s not aging well,” Fielding warned, throwing Gilbert a cheeky smile.

  “Pay no attention to the good vicar,” Gilbert advised. “The man is nearly blind and in his dotage. I suspect he has only just enough strength in him to get us married.”

  Anna laughed softly. “My eyes are perfectly sound, and I think he is perfectly handsome.”

  Fielding laughed. “My word, you’ve definitely pulled the wool over her eyes.”

  He glanced at Mr. Beasley, noting he also looked a little pale. He made the introductions but wondered if his future papa-in-law might be ill. Although, Gil
bert remembered, he had been still toasting the marriage with Carmichael when Gilbert had left the day before.

  Gilbert introduced the vicar to her father.

  “We need witnesses,” Fielding murmured, looking around the empty Beasley drawing room with a frown.

  “They will arrive shortly,” he promised, smiling at Anna’s maid, Jane Lord, as she slipped into the room to view the wedding ceremony from the corner.

  Mr. Fielding glanced his way. “Who will they be?”

  “Lords Carmichael and Windermere. I believe you will remember Carmichael from school. Lord Windermere is Miss Beasley’s cousin, and his wife will be joining us too, as will Miss Hayes and her parents, along with Lord Carmichael’s godmother, Lady Scott.”

  Anna came close and Gilbert took up her hand, wishing he could steal a taste of her lips before everyone else arrived. It was remarkable how often he thought of kissing Anna when he couldn’t be with her. Soon, he’d never have to wait for the perfect moment for kisses ever again.

  There was a kerfuffle at the door as the first of his witnesses arrived, full of excitement for the wedding.

  After greetings were exchanged, Lord Carmichael pulled him aside. “Are you nervous?” he asked.

  Gilbert snorted. “Not at all.”

  Carmichael nodded, glancing across the room to where Gilbert’s future bride stood chatting with Miss Hayes. The pair seemed very excited.

  “Have there been any developments?”

  “Grindlewood has been cleared,” Gilbert told him. “As has Miss Hayes and anyone related to her.”

  “At least after today, Anna will be safe,” Carmichael added. He still looked worried but there was nothing Gilbert could say that wouldn’t increase his anxiety. The investigation was now focused on Carmichael’s life and connections, but he didn’t know that yet. Bow Street Runners followed him everywhere, and everyone he spoke to, even in passing, fell under suspicion.

  “We have a few days until Friday’s ball.” He patted Carmichael’s shoulder. “Bow Street has committed even more men to the chase. Exeter is funding the venture.”

  “Good. I think—”

  Mr. Beasley signaled to him impatiently, and they gathered everyone into the drawing room, with himself and Anna standing in the middle before Mr. Fielding.