Page 33 of Lyon of Scotland
Freshening up in the spare room, he headed downstairs, thoughts whirling. He was not a spontaneous sort when lifepresented change, preferring to be thoughtful and logical with an eye for the larger view. But within the hour, he must convince Hannah Gordon to marry him quickly.
Because he knew he wanted the larger view to stretch into forever.
“Good Lord, whata tale!” Sir Walter set down his coffee cup later as Dare concluded an explanation that was honest and blunt. “Others might run from such trouble, but you, sir, were a gentleman to do the noble thing for the young lady. It is commendable.”
“It’s a kerfuffle, to be honest,” Dare drawled. “The only choice is to do the right thing. I was alone with the girl for too long when we were both in a sorry state. But my memory is vague. I have had to piece some of it together.”
“The drug can have that effect,” Linhope said. “Likely you both slept through most of it.”
“Perhaps.” Dare shrugged. Seated with them for coffee and breakfast, he had recounted what had happened at the theatre and in the house at Cleveland Row, but he had not divulged all that had happened with Hannah. “I’ll do what I must, regardless.”
“This was foisted upon the pair of you in a most heinous way,” Lockhart said.
“Nonetheless, it will turn out well in the end,” Scott said, perpetually optimistic. “You could do worse than marry a talented and lovely Scottish lass of excellent family. And in the bargain, your office could gain an artist.”
“I am willing if she is—about the marriage and some heraldry work.” Dare smiled a little. “I do not want to do what the Dove fellow demands, but it is the best way to remove her from the situation—if she agrees to it,” he added wryly. “As for Dove, I will deal with him. Be sure of it.”
“A husband defending his wife will have even more effect in the courts if you take him there.” Scott, a lawyer of many years, shook his head. “The girl has little choice either in this, if she signed notes for the debt and the matchmaker’s fee.”
“I want to absolve her of all responsibility,” Dare said. “I will cover any legitimate fees, but I want justice for her.”
“Dove must be held responsible for such despicable actions,” Linhope said.
“He has a grudge that goes beyond money. I suspect he despises Scots and sees Hannah as a target—me as well. He is about to discover his mistake. For now, I mean to get her far away from him. The whisky needs protection too, when it arrives,” he added.
“Which reminds me,” Scott said. “A letter was waiting for me when I returned from the theatre. From the Lord Provost’s office in Edinburgh.” Rummaging in a pocket, he withdrew a crumpled page and gave it to Dare. “Apologies, I sat on the thing. They say the whisky is delayed.”
“Delayed!” Skimming it, Dare nodded. “Due to storms, the steamship did not leave Leith Harbor on time. But judging by the date of this letter, it could arrive tomorrow.”
“I wonder if you could intercept it if you sail north today,” Sir Walter said.
“It’s possible. That could prevent Dove from pouncing on it. If a steamship leaves London today for the north, I must be on it. But—I must take Hannah with me.” Dare frowned. “She does not know about this yet. She will need convincing.”
“She will see reason, surely,” Linhope said. “I am taking a steamship up to Scotland this morning. It leaves at eleven. Tickets should still be available.”
“Excellent,” Scott said. “If you take that boat, you could catch the steam packet halfway along the coast. Steamers often stop at Hull as the halfway point between London and Leith. You maywell find the ship with your cargo, and ask the captain to hold it or move it elsewhere.”
“A rogue’s plan,” Lockhart said with a smile.
“Interesting,” Dare allowed. He looked at the clock on the dining room mantel. “We have about three hours. Marriage or not, I must take the girl north. Dove will come looking for her otherwise. I cannot leave her here.”
“She should be well enough to travel,” Linhope said. “And she can rest on the steamship. You could use some rest too.” He gave Dare a knowing look.
“I’m fine.”
“A good plan,” Scott said, “but a young lady can hardly travel with two gentlemen—unless she is married. But I can help with that.” He looked quite pleased.
“How?” Dare asked. “Even with a special license, it could take days to arrange it in London. We can marry quickly in Scotland, but we would still have to travel there together unmarried. I do not mind, but she may not be pleased.”
“I know the minister of the Church of Scotland in Crown Court, not far from here,” Scott said. “I will ask if he can perform a simple ceremony this morning.”
“That would be excellent. I would gladly donate to his parish in return.” He felt his heart thump harder—marrying Hannah today, soon, suddenly became real.
“I will go then. And I will act as witness.” Scott stood.
“So will we,” Lockhart said, and Linhope nodded. “If we go directly from the church to the port at Wapping, we can make the steamer before it leaves.”
“My carriage driver takes roads like a hellhound, even in the city,” Scott said. “I shall give him his head. What a grand adventure. Justice—and young hearts in love—will be well served today. Exciting!” He tapped his cane on the floor.
