Page 99 of Bad Luck Bride

Kay took a deep breath, calm settling over her, replacing her momentary hysterics. “We will get married when he comes back,” she said again. “And your reputation remains intact. And mine, too,” she added as Jo opened her mouth to fire off a reply. “Devlin and I will wait.”

“Wait?” Jo echoed. “Good heavens, haven’t you two waited long enough?”

Kay turned, appealing to Delia for support. “You agree with me, of course.”

“No,” Delia said to her complete astonishment. “I don’t agree with you at all. Or you,” she added, turning to Josephine. “Neither of you can be trusted to have a bit of sense on this topic, it’s obvious.”

Kay was too dumbfounded to reply, and Josephine seemed to feel the same, for they both stared at her, speechless.

Delia made a sound of impatience and crossed the room, halting before Kay’s desk. “Your problem is easily solved, because I—” She paused, pressing a hand to her bosom and giving an exaggerated bow, “am here to be your problem-solver, my darling friend.”

Kay shook her head, her wits too scrambled to even try to figure out what Delia was talking about.

“Of course Josephine’s reputation needs to be protected,” Delia went on. “And,” she continued, overriding the girl’s protest, “she absolutely needs to be presented, especially given your rather checkered past. And it’s true that you eloping for the second time would ruin that prospect and probably also ruin her chances of a good marriage.”

“Thank you!” Kay said. “That’s what I’m saying.”

“But,” Delia went on as if she hadn’t spoken, “that’s where I comein. Kay, you do not have to elope. I’ve been married three times, and I’m about to get married again, so trust me when I say I know all the ways, respectable and not so respectable, that a girl can tie the knot.”

“But—”

“Listen, will you? As I said, you don’t have to elope. I’m a countess, darling. I will take over for your mother and present Josephine at court. Especially fitting, since I’m the one who submitted her application in the first place. I will see that she is properly presented, and I will chaperone her for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, you, Kay, darling, will pack your bags and your mother’s, too, and the pair of you will go off with Devlin to Egypt.”

“But when can they get married?” Jo asked before Kay could speak.

“A British woman who is over the age of consent can get married to a British man anywhere under British control. You just have to establish residence and read the banns. I happen to know this because I ran off to Italy with my soon-to-be second husband and we got married in Gibraltar.” She turned to Kay. “Egypt is currently a British protectorate. You can be married from there. And with your mother along, it’s all perfectly acceptable. Your mother sails home in time to join Josephine and me at all the autumn house parties and you and Devlin live happily ever after.”

Kay caught her breath, hope and joy rising within her. “Oh, Delia, you’ll do that for us? Really?”

“Of course I will, you goose. What are friends for?”

“But what about Mama?” Jo put in. “She’ll miss seeing me presented. Will she agree to go?”

“To see your sister finally be respectably married, of course she’llgo,” Delia replied. “And if she doesn’t, well, I’ll chaperone Kay and your mother can stay here.”

“But what about your own wedding?” Kay cried.

“Simon can come, too, and we’ll all get married in Egypt. Now, go.”

Kay laughed and started for the door, but she’d barely taken a step before she stopped. “Money,” she said. “Heavens, what do I do for money?”

“I’ll loan you the money,” Delia said. “Now do stop throwing obstacles in the path of my brilliant idea, because we don’t have much time and you still have to pack. Knowing how your mother dithers, that will take forever. Devlin’s already gone, of course. I saw his cab leaving twenty minutes ago, but you can take your own cab and follow him to Victoria. And you can get your tickets at Cook’s there. I’ll see the hotel cashier and cash a bank draft for you while you pack. You can purchase your traveler’s checks at Cook’s when they issue your tickets. Now, go. What are you waiting for?”

Kay needed no more urging. “Delia,” she said, circling around her desk and racing for the door, “you are the best friend in the world. Jo, get me a cab.”

Not waiting for a reply, she ran for the lift. It seemed to take forever, but it was probably only a few minutes before she reached the top floor and raced for her suite.

“Mama?” she cried as she came in. “Mama, where are you?”

“In bed, Kay. Having breakfast. Where else would I be at this hour?”

She ran for the bedroom and paused in the doorway. “Well, get up, Mama, right now. And Foster?” she added to her mother’smaid. “Fetch our trunks and suitcases and start packing. Summer clothes, the lightest ones. I want Mama packed and ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”

“But where are we going?” Magdelene cried. “We can’t go anywhere just now—”

“Egypt, Mama,” she said and laughed. “We’re going to Egypt.”

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