Page 58 of The Scoundrel of Drury Lane
“It must have been a terrifying one. You almost fell out of bed.” She stroked her hands on his neck, soothing him.
He had never met a more caring woman in his life. How had he been so bloody lucky to find her?
“It was,” he admitted. “I dreamt that Walsh shot you mere moments after our wedding.” He wasn’t sure it was wise to tell her this, but he was determined to be honest with her in all things.
“Oh...,” she breathed and held him a little tighter. “I’m sorry.” She then kissed him softly on the lips, a kiss to soothe rather than seduce.
“Why are you sorry?” he asked when she finally broke off the kiss. She was killing him with her sweetness.
“Because I don’t wish for you to worry about me. It’s the last thing I want.”
He cupped her chin and held her gaze. “I’ll never not worry about you. You’re mine. I care about what’s mine. Iprotectwhat’s mine.” He wanted to reassure her that he could take care of her, but having to confess his nightmare of watching her die hadn’t helped make him feel like his own words were true. He hadn’t felt this helpless and afraid since the day he was sentenced and sent to Newgate.
“Why don’t you go rest?” Suzannah said. “Dawn is a few hours away, and we shall need energy to handle our wedding guests.”
He pulled her down beside him. “Why don’t we run away to Scotland and forget everyone else?”
“You know we cannot do that. Your friends want to see you married. It will make them happy. And what of Palmer, Mrs. Swanson, and Henry? They all deserve to see this. I care even less for a public wedding than you do, but we owe it those we care about to have the ceremony here.” She settled against him, hand on his chest, which he covered with his own.
“Sleep,” he urged her.
“Only if you do,” she argued as she yawned. He could hear how sleepy she was.
“I will.”
But he lay awake, watching the sun come over the horizon and light the bedchamber with its rays. He feared that if he closed his eyes that awful nightmare would be waiting for him. He left Suzannah to sleep a bit longer while he got up and dressed.
After he had put his clothes on, he told his valet to send a message to Darius that he needed to change his plans for the wedding. Unlike in his dream, he had never made his intent to wed public. He’d always intended this ceremony to be quiet and secret, for Suzannah’s safety. He’d still wished to have the ceremony held in St. George’s—it was something his mother had wished for when he’d been younger. But St. George’s was far too public.
It was better that he and Suzannah steal away and marry in a small parish church outside of London. Walsh and Balfour wouldn’t be able to find them unless they followed him, and he would make sure that would not happen.
Darius arrived just as Kit was sitting down to a quick breakfast.
“You look like you’ve just come from hell, old friend,” Darius said in concern. “Did you sleep at all?”
Kit jumped right to the point. “I decided we can’t marry in St. George’s.”
“Oh?” Darius didn’t argue, but he took a seat facing Kit at the table.
“I fear Walsh or Balfour might try something. We avoided announcing the wedding in the papers, but I worry it’s not enough. I want to take Suzannah out of the city. I want to take her somewheresafeforthe wedding, somewhere private.”
“Very well. Palmer will be disappointed, as will Mrs. Swanson, but if something is worrying you, you should heed that instinct.”
Kit rubbed his eyes and sighed before he looked at his old friend. “I’ve come to care about her. God knows how it happened so fast, but I can’t let her be hurt because of me.”
“I agree,” Darius said. “Now that Walsh’s debts have been called in, the man will be desperate. There is nothing to tie you to the debts, he will no doubt assume you’re behind it. I admit, it worried me less when it was onlyyouwe had to watch out for. A young innocent is another matter entirely. Suzannah is a strong woman, but also kind and trusting. She would be an easy target for retaliation.”
“Exactly.” Kit was glad his friend agreed.
“What about the little church near your estate? You mentioned you wish to take Suzannah home for a time as a brief honeymoon. Would that parish suffice?”
Kit nodded. “Yes. That church is out of the way. Walsh and Balfour would not immediately think of it. I suppose the clergyman there will be furious at the unexpected ceremony, but so be it.”
Darius chuckled. “No man of the cloth would ever refuse a hefty sum of coin donated to his parish. I’m sure the church roof has a leak or two.”
“Send word to the others of the change of plans,” Kit said. “I will tell Mrs. Swanson to pack up what she’s been preparing and we can take her and Palmer with us to the country house.” Kit would’ve preferred not to worry about having to escort his cook and his old butler to the country, but he couldn’t exclude them from his wedding. Palmer and Mrs. Swanson had been in his life since he was a young boy. They were, in some ways,family. And Henry would have to come too, despite his leg, or else Suzannah would be upset, and Kit wouldn’t allow that to happen.
“I’ll see it done.”
