Page 28 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

The curate had vanished, no doubt leaving once he’d completed his task of showing them to the vicar’s study, and she was alone in the large church. She pleaded with the somber faces. “Can you tell him to hurry?”

The door to the vicar’s study creaked open, and she looked back up at the window. She could swear one of the saints was smirking.

As was Simon. Mr. Trembly, however, avoided her gaze. He shook Simon’s hand. “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try to speak with the bishop as soon as I’m able.”

With a promise from the vicar to keep them informed, they said their goodbyes.

As they waited for the boy to retrieve Simon’s carriage, Charlotte asked, “What did you tell him to change his mind?”

“That you were unable to contain your carnal desires, and I worried that you would wear down my defenses and I would take your innocence before the vows were exchanged. So, to save you from yourself, we should marry as soon as possible.”

She gawked at him in disbelief. “Surely, you did not?”

He only smiled, his lips pressed together as if he were containing his laughter.

Oh, she wanted to strangle him! “You cad!”

“Would you feel better if I told him we needed to hurry due to your advanced age? It is a usual condition to obtain a license.”

“You are?—”

“Incorrigible? Insufferable?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Irresistible?”

“Argh!”

The carriage pulled up before she could question him further. Once she’d settled in the seat, which suddenly seemed impossibly small, she inched away from him only to have him move closer. “Do you mind?” she huffed.

“Not at all. I like closeness.”

Argh!

He snapped the ribbons. “Where to, my lady? The park? A ride along Rotten Row?”

“Home.”

He turned a sour look her way. “Stop being such a stick in the mud. Where’s your sense of adventure? You’d think you’d be happy to get out of the house and get some air.”

“Very well, then. Take me to the modiste. I need some more gowns. Rose didn’t bring many with her.”

“I asked your brother to send your clothing.”

Oh, but he had so much to learn. “And you expect him to respect your request?”

He arched that devilish dark brow at her again. “To the modiste then. Just don’t bankrupt me.”

When he guided the carriage to the left at the end of the street, she frowned. “You’re going the wrong way. Madame Treadwell’s shop is to the right.”

“We’re taking the scenic route through the park.” He snapped the ribbons again, and the horses picked up speed.

Her body was thrust back into the squab of the carriage, and she clutched her bonnet to her head lest it fly off.

The man was mad. Reckless. Irresponsible.

And she had never felt more exhilarated.

CHAPTER 9

The days following Simon’s meeting with Edgerton flew by. He’d written to his family with the news of his upcoming nuptials. Word arrived from the bishop on a Monday that, after carefully considering the information Simon presented to the vicar, he would issue a license for Simon and Charlotte to marry at the time of their choosing.

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