Page 86 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

“Of course.”

“And I won’t ask you to stand with me either on my wedding day. That’s for Leah to do, although wouldn’t thetonbe shocked if I did?” Rachel mused.

Evan pulled her closer. His eyes seemed to devour her. “It’s time to go home, Rachel. Goodnight, Merrifield.”

He led her from the ballroom as every eye followed their progress. They reached outside and the cool air greeted them. She looked over her shoulder and saw Jeremy, Catherine, and Luke only paces behind them.

“You’ve certainly given thetonfuel for their fire,” Luke joked.

“I know that look in your eye, Merrick,” Jeremy said. “It tells me you’ll be purchasing a special license tomorrow.”

“Don’t you want the banns called?” Catherine asked. “After tonight’s performance, the entiretonwill be expected to attend a grand wedding.”

“I don’t want to wait three weeks,” Rachel said. She glanced at Evan. “Even three days seems like a lifetime.”

“Then give me a week,” Catherine pleaded. “I can put something lovely together in that time.

“What do you think, Evan?” she asked. “Can we wait a week?”

“Could you give us a moment?” he asked, leading Rachel away.

“Why do we need privacy?” she asked. “I’ll marry you tomorrow if you wish.”

“Let’s give the duchess her week,” he suggested. “But leading up to it? I think we should continue our midnight lessons.”

A frisson of desire rippled through her. “Oh, really?” she asked coyly.

“You do realize what I’m asking?” he said, his face serious.

“I believe I do. You wish to initiate me into all the ways of love before we wed.” Rachel grinned. “I think it’s generous of you to allow Catherine her week to plan while we use our time wisely.”

His hands cupped her cheeks. “It will mean leaving balls early. Not going to supper after the opera,” he warned, his thumbs caressing her face.

“I will say that I’m wanting to rest up for my wedding day,” she declared. “No one will be suspicious. You can come to me every night and teach me something wild and wonderful. Doesn’t that sound delicious?”

He kissed her tenderly. “I cannot wait until midnight tomorrow.”

Evan paused, an unusual and unreadable look on his face. Rachel’s heart missed a beat as she tried to analyze this strange look. “What has you troubled?” she asked.

“Your brother. You know I’m still wary of angering him again. What if he catches us? He could break the wedding agreement! This might be a bad idea.”

Rachel simply giggled. “He won’t, silly. He’s already agreed to our marriage. All my brother cares about is that I’m happy and have a love match. And he knows that is what we share. Rest easy, my love. The midnight lessons will continue!”

They returned to her family and Evan said, “We would like to wed in one week, Your Grace. I shall purchase the special license tomorrow. I can also check and see if St. George’s could accommodate us so that all you would need to do is plan the wedding breakfast with Rachel.”

Catherine sniffed. “That shows you how much you know about weddings, Merrick. There are clothes to be considered and, once chosen, the gown to be made up. Hats, as well. I won’t bore you with all the small details.” Then she smiled. “I do believe you’ll be able to book St. George’s, though. The Season is in its infancy. I doubt any wedding is scheduled to take place next week.”

“Then I will call upon you and Rachel tomorrow and let you know what progress I’ve made.”

When he finished speaking, Leah and Alex rushed over, both of them embracing her and then Evan.

“I knew it would work out,” Leah proclaimed. “Alex and I believed in our hearts that the two of you were meant to be together as man and wife.”

“As long as you’re both here, will you commit to standing up with us at our wedding next week?” Rachel asked.

“Of course,” they both said.

“May I call on you at ten o’clock tomorrow morning?” Evan asked Alex. “I fear I’m going to need your help navigating the waters. I’ve a special license to purchase. Wedding finery to be fitted for. A church to reserve.”

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