Page 39 of The Duke of Aces
A special license. He accepted her gift. “My thanks, sister. This must have cost you at least a month’s worth of pin money.”
“Two, in fact.” Charlotte stepped down to come to stand next to him. “And…it took all of Aunt Cornella’s connections merely to get a meeting with the archbishop and then she had to wield her charm as I’ve never seen her do before to have him even consider issuing the license. Apparently, marrying by special license is simply not done by dukes.”
“I shall have to send around a note of thanks to dear old Aunt Cornella for her assistance.”
“Oh, she’s expecting both you and Isadora tomorrow to join her for luncheon.” Charlotte stepped forward and pulled her hood over her perfectly arranged coiffure and began to make her way out the front door.
“What if Isadora abhors the prospect of sharing a life with a spy? What if…”
His sister didn’t even pause at his questions. She simply continued on. He lengthened his stride to catch up to her and assist her up into the coach. “Did you hear my concern?”
“Oh, I’ve heard them plenty since we returned. But you won’t know the answers to any of your worries unless you speak directly to Isadora. I’ve done my part, now you must do yours.”
They were a team. If Charlotte had faith, then so should he.
“Perhaps I could recruit Lady Minerva’s help this evening.”
Charlotte shook her head and said, “I’m afraid not. Lady Minerva will not be attending this evening’s festivities.”
“Who’s Isadora’s guest then?”
“Lord Drake. Isadora made the mistake of wagering on a game of rummy with her sister.” Seated in the coach, Charlotte pushed back her hood and loosened the string of her cape. “It was Minerva who suggested Aunt Cornella and I pay a visit to the archbishop. Does that knowledge help ease any of your concerns?”
“Nay. I don’t want Isadora to feel as if she was coerced into marrying me.” Tom settled back into his seat and rapped on the coach roof, setting it into motion. Was he ready to declare his love to Isadora?
“I’m fairly confident Minerva did not share her plans with Isadora.” Charlotte tapped his knee. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes. Yes. Isadora is unaware of her sister’s contingency plan.” Tom ruminated for a moment and then added, “It’s a wonder the Crown hasn’t approached Minerva to join the Home Office.”
Charlotte gave him a lopsided smile. “What makes you believe they haven’t? It could simply be she has declined in the past due to family obligations.”
Tom asked, “Such as?”
“Seeing to it that her two younger sisters were happily wed.” Charlotte grinned and then continued to say, “You did ask that I investigate Minerva’s background, did you not?”
“I did, but that was only three days ago.” Since they had returned, he had spent most of his waking hours at the Foreign Office reviewing the wealth of intel that Comtesse Du Montford had provided. With Torrance’s aide, they had developed a strategy, albeit a complex strategy, to infiltrate the thin but broad remaining Napoleon support network. After seeing the benefits of having a partner on the last mission, all of Tom’s ideas had involved Isadora accompanying him back to France. He never wanted to venture that far from her ever again.
Charlotte broke his train of thought. “Aunt Cornella is surprisingly well connected. I think I shall reside with her for a spell after you recite your nuptials.”
Tom didn’t love the idea of Charlotte not residing under the same roof as he. “I suppose you’ve already made arrangements.”
“I have.”
He looked at his sister once more. She was all grown up. She was no longer in need of him. A pang of guilt at not having spent more time with her spread throughout his chest.
Charlotte patted his knee. “Don’t look so sad. It’s not like I’m getting married and never returning to reside with you and Isadora.”
“That’s still a possibility. You know Aunt Cornella loves to play matchmaker.”
“Bah. It’ll take much more than handsome features and sweet words to convince me to marry.”
Interesting. “What exactly do you think women look for in a husband?”
“You have to figure that out for yourself, dear brother. However, in your case, might I suggest you employ your skill at cards to impress Isadora?”
“Are you suggesting I gamble on my future?”
“Aren’t you the one that always says it’s skill, not luck, that determines the outcome of certain card games?”
