Chapter 21
No. 25
An Everton lady will not put herself in danger.
—The Everton Companion
Rules of Conduct
They drove as far as they could before stopping for the night at a small inn. Markus wished he could drive straight through and lessen the chances of Ford finding them, but he could not risk the women or the horses. Dobson found a rather homey inn, The Wastrel’s Manor, where they found rooms enough for all of them.
He’d been wise to hire a second carriage for the luggage and servants. It was no surprise when Phoebe informed him Lady Chervil would join them on their journey. Other than his own desire to have time alone with Phoebe, he was overjoyed their friend had come along. He could wait a few more days to have Phoebe for the rest of his life.
The stairs creaked as he escorted the ladies to their rooms. “We will leave before dawn.”
“I understand.” Lady Chervil stopped at the door to her room. “Sleep well.”
He bowed. “I apologize for the unsuitable accommodations, my lady.”
Honoria smiled and patted his arm. “Not at all. This is the most fun I have had in years.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Good night.” Markus opened the door for her and pulled it closed once she was inside. He and Phoebe waited until they heard her throw the latch before they continued down the hall.
Phoebe squeezed his arm. “You are worried we won’t make it?”
They stopped in front of her room. He leaned down and kissed the crown of her head. “Is it that obvious?”
“I’m afraid so. Anyone can see that you are nervous. I took a guess hoping it isn’t about marrying me.” She tipped her chin down not meeting his gaze.
“Phoebe?” He waited until she looked at him. “I want to marry you more than I want anything in this world. It would be very inconvenient if I had to fight with your brother, but fight him I would.”
“What is it you think Ford will do?” Worry creased her forehead.
“I don’t know,” he lied. He had a great many notions of what Ford might try to retrieve his sister. “You should get some rest. Dawn will come before you know it.”
Rising to her tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his for a kiss that ended too quickly. “I would not mind if you came in for a while.”
Temptation tugged at his resolve. “If I did that, neither of us would get any sleep. Besides, I’m sure Arwen waits for you within. Go to bed, my love. I’ll wake you in the morning.”
Her chest lifted with a great sigh. “I suppose you are right, but I still wish you would come in and hold me until I fall asleep.”
Kissing her cheek, he yearned for more. “I wish I would too. Good night.” He opened her door.
Arwen said, “Miss, I have put your things out for the morning.”
Giving him one last smile, she stepped inside. “Good night, my lord.”
He closed the door and again waited for the latch to sound before going to his own room.
* * * *
Markus instructed Dobson to waste no time and as a result they were being bounced around until his teeth gnashed mercilessly. Nearly noon and they had seen nothing but two farmers and the Post. He banged on the wall of the carriage. “I think you can go at a slower pace now, Dobson. At least until the road is better.”
The carriage immediately eased and Honoria and Phoebe relaxed.
“Thank goodness.” Honoria patted her hair back into place.
Phoebe bit her lip. “You do think Ford will do something drastic. What can he do?”
Sighing, he fisted his hand. “He might give chase or he might send a runner to track you down. My worst fear is that he will have gone to the prince regent and told him I kidnapped you.”
Both women gasped.
“He wouldn’t?” Honoria said.
Phoebe sighed. “I wish I could say it was beneath him, but I cannot.”
Markus couldn’t either. He would not feel easy until Phoebe was his. “If he’s done that, then they will have sent troops to find us. I hope they will be headed to Gretna, but I cannot be certain.”
They rode on at a reasonable pace. Honoria slept and Phoebe read a book while he worried.
Moving next to him, Phoebe left Honoria alone on the forward-facing bench. “You know, Markus, it would be a shame to waste all the trouble Lady Chervil is going to pretending to be asleep.”
Markus examined the unmoving Honoria. “Is she pretending?”
“Of course. Who could sleep with all these ruts in the road?” She sat touching him along his arm.
“She is doing a fine job,” he said, holding back a laugh.
“And what will you do about it, my lord?” The gold of Phoebe’s eyes captured him.
“I suppose I must kiss you, Miss Hallsmith.” He leaned in until his lips hovered just above hers. “Are you ready, Lady Chervil?”
Honoria stifled a giggle.
Markus pushed aside Honoria’s presence the moment his lips touched Phoebe’s. Soft, warm and always responsive. He let the kiss take on a life of its own. Softly, he nibbled her full bottom lip. She sighed giving him access to her warm mouth and tongue. His pulse pounded as he drew her tighter against him. Not even the rumble of the road could break them apart.
“Carriage!” Dobson yelled.
It was the last thing he wanted to do, but Markus released Phoebe and called up to the driver. “Who is it?”
“Not sure, but they’re coming up fast. Shall I try to outrun them, Sir?”
Calm rationale was what he’d been known for when he was in service. His training kicked in. He put a knee on the bench next to Honoria, who was now fully awake. The small back window offered him only the confirmation that someone was indeed gaining on them. All the dust churning in the road left him without the ability to see who.
“Markus, we should try to get away. Ford will hurt you if he must and what if it’s soldiers?” Panic rose in Phoebe’s voice.
He looked again. He saw no red coats or men on horseback. “I don’t think it’s soldiers. There is no sense in getting ourselves killed.” He went back to his seat. “Pull over, Dobson.”
Despite his calm, he couldn’t know what he’d do once the other carriage reached them. If they were lucky, it would just be someone in a hurry and they would pass. The waiting was always the hardest part. Tension emanating from Phoebe and Honoria was palatable. Phoebe’s eyes filled with fear and fury. Lord, how he adored her temper. So much passion wrapped up in one woman. He couldn’t wait to unleash every last bit of it.
In the meantime, the pursuing carriage drew closer and slowed. No such luck that it would pass them by. “Stay in the carriage, ladies. This could just be someone wanting to see who stopped. No need to panic.”
Phoebe grabbed his coat sleeve. “Don’t do anything ridiculous. I would never forgive myself if Ford hurt you.”
He tucked a lock of ruby hair behind her ear. It had come loose while they kissed. “I can manage your brother. Be calm, sweetheart.”
He took his pistol from its hiding place under the cushion. Stepping out in the road, Markus hoped he had not lied. A man was as dangerous as what he was willing to risk. He assumed Ford was not willing to risk much while Markus would risk everything for Phoebe.
He took a stance leaning against the side of the carriage and crossed his arms over his chest. As the carriage drew closer, he noted there was no Hallsmith crest on the side. He relaxed just enough to cross one leg over the other, and in case it was bandits he eased a pistol’s hammer back.
The familiar halloo of Miles Hallsmith set his nerves to rest and he let the hammer ease back to safety and let out the breath he’d been holding. “You might have followed a bit slower, Hallsmith. We thought you were brigands.”
“Or worse, Ford.” Phoebe poked her head out the window and laughed.
“Ha! No, it’s just Mother and me. We got a late start and have been riding like to devil to catch up to you.” Miles stepped into the road.
Lucretia waved from the window. “That stupid son of mine was intent on following you with the militia. It was all Miles and Aaron could do to talk him out of it.”
“Has Aaron gotten involved in this too?” Phoebe pulled her eyebrows together. “I hate that he is distressed.”
Miles said, “He was happy to help. He even went with Ford to Gretna Green to retrieve you. They will be halfway there by now and by the time Ford realizes he’s in the wrong place, it will be too late.”
Markus could have hugged Miles. Instead he slapped him on the back. “Good work. Here I was planning how to out maneuver Ford and you have him chasing his own tail. Well done!”
Miles laughed. “We have a long way to go yet. I say we’d better get moving.”
“Agreed.” Markus climbed back into the carriage and stored his pistol. He hoped his soon-to-be bride didn’t know how worried he’d been. There were still things that could go wrong.
The carriage pulled back into the road with Miles’s carriage following behind. They kept a good pace, stopping only for necessary rest and to change horses.
* * * *
Phoebe stood at the small chapel’s altar facing the rest of her life. Markus was still in his traveling clothes, but she had washed and changed into a light blue wisp of a dress.
The worry that had creased his brow throughout the long ride to Scotland remained. He might have changed his mind. She couldn’t blame him if he had. All this trouble to wed a girl of no standing and no dowry. As beastly as Ford had been, Markus remained steadfast in his desire to marry her. He’d kissed her whenever Honoria faked a nap. While they had spent each night at inns separated by walls, Mother, and Honoria, she’d invited him to stay with her and desire had burned in his eyes.
She wanted to throw her arms around him, but doubted the clergy would approve.
Honoria sniffed from the front row.
“If any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.” The minister’s words echoed in the stone chapel.
Every breath in the place held.
Phoebe nearly laughed at the silence and had to pinch her leg to keep from becoming hysterical from the building tension.
No one spoke, and everyone let out their breath as one sigh.
Markus promised to love her until death, and his gaze met hers. Joy sparkled behind his eyes.
The minister put the question to her. “Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will.” No one had ever been this happy. She was sure of it. Phoebe Hallsmith was in love with a man who would always love her in return. She felt she might jump out of her skin while the minister droned on.
The minister pronounced them man and wife and suddenly she was Lady Devonrose. Nothing could have prepared her for that idea. Throat clogged with love she clung to Markus’s hand as he led her from the chapel.
Michael, Duke of Kerburgh, slapped Markus on the back. “I think all my friends should run away to Scotland and be married at my home.”
“It does seem to have become a tradition.” Markus laughed.
Phoebe tried to keep her elation in check.
Mother and Miles hugged and congratulated her. Everything sped by in a fog.
Honoria dabbed the corners of her eyes with a square of lace. “Oh my, that was the most beautiful ceremony.” She pulled Phoebe into a hug. “I’m so happy for you. I knew it would all turn out right.”
“You did, didn’t you?” Phoebe said.
“I shall miss you at the Everton Domestic Society. You were always my favorite. But this is a fine start for your real life, sweet Phoebe. Time for you to be taken care of instead of you taking care of everyone else.”
Phoebe looked at Markus.
His smile was all she would ever need.
“I will miss you too, Honoria. If you wanted to come and stay with us, we would be quite happy to have you.” Phoebe grasped her hands.
“Oh, you are too kind. I shall come and visit, but I love traipsing around the country with Everton ladies. I shall not give it up. Not yet.”
“I will hold you to your promise to visit,” Phoebe said.
“You can keep a room made up for me.” Honoria patted Phoebe’s cheek and danced off to talk to Lucretia.
Markus took her hand. “She may change her mind and want to stay.”
“Maybe.” Phoebe shook off her disappointment. The days of travel were catching up with her and she stifled a yawn. “Shall we thank our hosts?”
Her Grace insisted on being called Elinor. She clapped and grinned. “I love these impromptu visits and weddings. All we need is an anvil and this could be the new Gretna. Shall we celebrate your marriage in the morning, Markus? It is very late, and your wife looks ready to drop.”
Markus stared at Phoebe for a long moment before turning back to their hostess. “A wedding breakfast would be excellent, Elinor. Thank you.”
With a nod, Elinor said, “All your rooms have been prepared while we were in the chapel. If you need anything at all, just ask.”
Two maids rushed in to lead the newlyweds, Lucretia, Honoria, and Miles to rooms above stairs.
Once inside a lush bedchamber, Markus told Arwen that he would assist her lady and bolted the door. “Are you all right, Phoebe?”
Numb, she sat on the edge of the bed. “I suppose I am a bit overwhelmed.”
Markus sat next to her and pulled her into his lap. “Most people get months to prepare for their wedding. I wish you could have had that and hope you are not regretting our haste.”
“No. It’s just…”
“What?” One word, but laced with worry as he tipped her chin up.
Here was a man who had put himself back together for the sake of his daughter. Somehow, he had fallen in love with her. It was all so improbable, she struggled to grasp it. “I was prepared to be an old maid. When I went to care for my grandmother I knew I was throwing away my best chance at marriage. Then Gavin Durnst courted me and I resolved that even though I did not and could not love him, at least I would have a home and family of my own. He embarrassed and hurt me when he broke the engagement, but it was also a relief. Everton became my home and my family. It was comfortable and perhaps safe. Never in a million years did I expect to fall in love or to be loved in return. Now I have a beautiful family of my own. Today is the happiest day of my life, but I am afraid I will wake up tomorrow and it will all be a dream.”
He kissed the top of her head. “It is a dream. The most wonderful dream and we get to live it for many years to come. You, Elizabeth, and I will make a life in Rosefield and should you honor me with more children, they too will grow up happy and loved.”
“And no one will force them to marry where they do not wish?” Phoebe’s heart grew too big and her breath caught.
“Never.”
“I truly love you Markus Flammel.”
His eyes smiled before those beautiful lips tilted wickedly. “And I love you, Everton Lady.”