Page 60 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

“A capital idea,” Alex agreed and rose.

Rachel thought most of the exercise involved would include their lips and tongues and stifled a smile.

“I think I shall go and take a nap before dinner,” Cor told them and she accompanied the couple from the room.

Once the trio exited, Catherine said, “I heard Merrick’s name brought up. What was said?”

“Alex is disappointed that Merrick did not accompany him to Eversleigh today. He begged off and referred to some unforeseeable business that had to be attended to in London.” She paused. “He will not arrive until the day of the wedding.”

“It’s for the best,” Catherine said. “Jeremy is very protective of you, Rachel. He means what he says. Do not speak to Merrick while he is here.”

Rachel might not speak to him—but avoiding seeing him would be impossible.

*

Rachel watched asCatherine herself dressed Leah’s hair. The sisters had toyed with various hairstyles for the past two weeks, trying to decide upon which was most flattering with Leah’s wedding gown. With the bride’s long, golden tresses, it wouldn’t matter. Everything looked good on her.

“No, you need another pin to secure it,” Cor advised, sitting next to Leah and supervising Catherine’s work.

Rachel believed Cor suspected something was amiss with her but her grandmother had never vocalized her concerns since their return to Eversleigh. In fact, she’d avoided being along with Cor because, if given the chance, her grandmother would get to the root of the problem better than any English officer interrogating one of Bonaparte’s spies. Rachel couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t ruin Cor’s good opinion of her.

A knock sounded on the door.

“That better not be Alex,” Rachel commented. “He knows he cannot see the bride.”

She went to the door and opened it a crack. Sure enough, the groom stood anxiously in the hallway. Rachel opened it enough to slip outside.

“You cannot see Leah,” she gently chided. “Go to the St. Clair chapel. Reverend Smythe is expecting you.”

“I know I cannot see her. Can I just hear her voice?” begged the earl.

“I suppose so.”

Opening the door enough to stick her head through, Rachel said, “Alex is here. He merely needs to hear your voice, Leah. I believe we have a nervous groom on our hands.”

She jumped up, pins spilling everywhere, and rushed to the door. Rachel stepped back, leaving the door slightly ajar.

“Alex? Can you hear me?”

He stepped to the door. “I can, love. I just wanted to hear your voice and tell you I love you.”

“I love you more,” Leah proclaimed. She snaked her bare arm around the doorjamb and wiggled her fingers.

Alex caught her hand in both of his and kissed her knuckles several times. He released it and it disappeared behind the door again.

“I’ll be waiting in the chapel,” he said, love spilling from him. He looked to Rachel. “Thank you.” He brushed a kiss upon her cheek. “I can go now.”

She watched him jauntily walk down the corridor, a lump in her throat. Leah would be well loved by this man.

Entering the room again, she saw Leah seated once more as Catherine tried to repair the damage. Before long, Leah had been transformed. She now slipped on her gloves and slippers and was completely ready to be wed.

Another knock sounded.

“That better not be Alex again,” Catherine murmured as Rachel again went to the door and opened it a few inches.

“It’s Jeremy,” she called over her shoulder and admitted her brother.

He went directly to Leah and said, “A wedding day is very special. Catherine and I wanted you to have something to mark the occasion.” He lifted a narrow, rectangular box and opened it.

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