Page 26 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“Have one of the maids go through Her Grace’s clothing and see if she’s left a pelisse Lady Charlotte can borrow.”

As Frampton turned, Simon called, “And hurry!”

Uncomfortable silence stretched between them as they waited, Charlotte with her arms crossed and glaring, and Simon with the perpetual and ingratiating grin plastered on his face.

She jumped when he severed the stillness. “Come now, Charlotte. We both need a bit of fun outside.”

Rose appeared at the doorway, holding out a pelisse of robin’s-egg blue and a cream poke bonnet. “I thought this would go best with your bonnet, my lady.”

It wasn’t the best color on her, favoring more Honoria’s fair complexion, but it would have to do. No doubt Honoria left the brightly colored garment behind because it wasn’t fitting for a house in mourning. At least the bonnet would shield her face from curious onlookers.

Simon watched as Rose slipped the coat over Charlotte’s shoulders.

The hem ended several inches above the bottom of Charlotte’s skirts, clashing with the green sprigged muslin. She plucked the bonnet from Rose’s fingers and shoved it on herhead. Even the open body of the phaeton wouldn’t hide the offending mishmash of materials and colors when she sat.

Simon held out his arm. “Shall we?”

Although she strode toward him, she refused to take his arm.Have him interpret that as he will.

Without a word, he followed her, grabbed his hat from Frampton, and escorted her to the carriage.

“Is this thing safe?” she asked as she climbed aboard, this time accepting his offered hand. Heat traveled through the fine kid leather of his gloves to hers.

He climbed in next to her and lifted the ribbons. “It depends on who’s driving.” He winked and snapped the ribbons. The horses darted forward with such force it jolted her into him.

This was a very bad idea.

Ah,the wind and sun on his face was pure heaven as Simon raced the phaeton up the street. He felt alive again and ready to tackle whatever came next.

Charlotte, on the other hand, latched onto his arm, gripping it until he feared it would grow numb. “Where are we going?”

“First, to our appointment with the vicar to make arrangements at church. I doubt I’ll be able to convince him to forego reading the banns, but we can try. I have a weapon.” He released the ribbons with one hand and patted his pocket.

Her brown eyes widened, horror written all over her face. “You’re going to threaten him with a gun?”

“Worse. A copy of that scandal sheet. A boy on the street by your brother’s was handing them out. Charged me three pennies, the rascal.”

“Speaking of my brother, if you try to get a special license from the archbishop, Edgerton will surely stop it. Just to punish me more.”

Sharp pain poked his chest at the wordpunish. He placed his free hand on hers and, much more gently than the vise-like grip she had on his arm, squeezed.

She jerked away as if he’d burned her. “Please use both hands. The horses are getting out of control.”

He laughed until he looked at her face. Lord, she was serious! Some of the joy he’d felt moments before seeped out of him at her distress. Why couldn’t she relax and simply enjoy the ride? He returned his attention to the road ahead of him, deftly maneuvering the carriage between two vegetable carts and pedestrians crossing in front of them.

“The people!” She grasped at the ribbons. “You almost ran them over!”

“Nonsense,” he said, but he pulled back on the ribbons and slowed the horses a bit.

Tension pulsed the muscles in her jaw when he slid a glance toward her, and she visibly relaxed when he brought them to a halt in front of the church. After throwing the ribbons to a boy waiting in front, he flipped him a shilling, then held out his hand and helped Charlotte down.

“You are mad!” she hissed through her teeth. “And I am mad to agree to this marriage.”

He held out his hands in supplication. “Yet, here we are.”

“Unfortunately.”

Clicking his tongue, he shook his head. “Now, now, Lady Charlotte. We must give the appearance of being in love and desiring to marry as soon as possible.” He swept one arm in front of him. “After you.”

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