Page 5 of The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes
“Five minutes,” Kieran called through the door.
After a long pause, Reverend Hodgson said, “As you wish, sir.”
Kieran understood what had to happen. It was appalling but perhaps there was no choice.
He and Finn shared another look, one fraught with the unspoken communication that they had shared over the course of their lives. For all Finn’s ability to disguise his thoughts and emotions, Kieran had twenty-seven years of experience as Finn’s younger brother, so he knew how to read Finn.
Should we?Finn silently communicated to Kieran.
There’s no other choice,Kieran answered wordlessly.
Finn stared at Kieran.There may be hell to pay.
Better that than the alternative. Besides, we’re doing Willa a favor. She’ll be grateful.
In a whisper, Kieran added, “We can’t consign our sister to what’s surely a tremendous mistake, and following down the path our parents took.”
“But she’ll be too stubborn to take the necessary action to prevent it from happening,” Finn added darkly.
Kieran nodded at his brother, then took a breath, preparing himself for what needed to come next.
“There wasn’t room for all of us in the carriage without crushing Willa’s gown, so Finn and I rode here this morning,” Kieran said, turning to Dom. “My horse is in the mews.”
The would-be bridegroom gaped at him. “The hell are you saying?”
“Move quickly, and don’t attract attention to yourself.” Kieran gestured toward a door that led to the outside.
Walking to the door, Finn pushed it open and glanced out. “No one’s about so now’s the time.”
Dom swung his head back and forth between Kieran and Finn as he seemed to gauge whether or not the brothers were in earnest. Kieran gazed back, trying to imbue his expression with all the gravitas that the rest of Society seemed to believe he lacked.
A rare look of terror crossed Dom’s face, followed by a flash of sorrow.
“The world will knowshechanged her mind,” Kieran said. “It’s a scandal, but not so bad asyoujilting her.”
Dom immediately nodded. “No one will blame her when you let everyone know I was a drunken lout with the manners of a starved dog.”
“Youarea drunken lout with the manners of a starved dog,” Kieran noted.
“Say whatever you have to,” Dom answered. “Drag my name through the mud, only make certain she emerges clean from this whole debacle.”
“You’ve only heard the insults I’ve spoken to your face,” Kieran replied. “Rest assured I will be inventive in the ones I say behind your back.”
Dom’s expression turned stony before resolve took its place. He strode to the threshold, pausing briefly to look back at Kieran and Finn. “It’s the right thing to do. For Willa’s sake.”
“For Willa’s sake,” Kieran answered. She would be safe, and protected. He had to ensure that happened. Pointing toward the door, he said, “Go. Finn and I will take care of the rest.”
“Tell Willa...” Dom swallowed hard. “Tell her...”
With one last glance, ripe with agony, he hurried out. A fine rain had begun to fall, staining the shoulders of what would have been his wedding coat as he raced toward the mews.
Finn shut the door, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Suppose we ought to tell Willa that she’s rejecting her groom.”
“She’ll thank us. Surely Mother would have thanked anyone who kept her from marrying Father.” Kieranglanced around the vestry. “Looks like Rome after being sacked by the Visigoths.”
“The Vandals sacked Rome.”
“Whodidn’tsack Rome?” Kieran glanced warily at the door that led to the church.
