Page 38 of An Agreement with the Soldier (Necessary Arrangements 2)

“John!” Someone touched his sleeve.

John opened his eyes, looked at the hand covering his arm, and then looked up at the worry-filled honey-gold eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked, furrowing her brows.

“I’m all right,” he said and covered her hand with his. At that moment, male hands yanked Sam out of his reach.

“That’s enough of that,” Gage snarled.

“Richard!” Sam looked at him sternly.

“Come now, it’s not a proper behavior and you know it!”

“He is ill, can’t you see?” Sam reached for John again, but Gage tightened his grip on her arm. Miss Lewis was watching them with an incredulous look on her face, and Mr. Lewis just raised a brow.

“That’s all right,” John said, turning to them. “I’m all right,” he said softly and smiled at Sam. She gave a slight nod and stepped back.

“Let’s get right to business, shall we?” John continued, looking at the men.

“Yes, let’s.” Gage was frowning at him ferociously. If John was a lesser man, he probably would scatter at the look. But John had seen worse looks in his lifetime, and he wasn’t easily frightened.

“I talked to Clydesdale this afternoon. We’ve come up with a plan.”

“What is it?” Sam interjected impatiently.

“The duchess and I shall marry before they leave for the Somerset estate.”

He saw Sam’s eyes widen, her mouth slightly opened, and she seemed shocked and confused. John saw vulnerability in her eyes, and something that looked like hurt or sadness. Or had he imagined that? Perhaps he had seen his own feelings mirrored in her eyes.

“When do you plan to do it and how? Montbrook is keeping Her Grace under lock and key before they leave,” Gage noted.

“We’ve thought of that too. There will be a ball this Friday at the Marquess and Marchioness of Wakefield’s home. The marchioness will personally invite the Montbrooks to attend. She will call on them on the morrow and extend a personal invitation. Seeing how the Montbrooks crave to be a part of the elite circle, they won’t be able to cry off.” A personal invitation was the highest form of honor. Ignoring it would show a great insult. And considering the Wakefields’ position, the Montbrooks were not likely to risk offending them. “And… We can marry that same night.”

He looked at Sam, but she refused to meet his gaze.

“Clydesdale will get us the special license before the ball. The marchioness already agreed to throw us a small celebration to honor our wedding. ”

“Why would Lady Wakefield help us? Allowing a wedding at her ball, extending a personal invitation to the Montbrooks? This seems too much,” Miss Lewis chimed in.

John grimaced. “She didn’t want to… But Clydesdale’s friend, St. Clare, managed to change her mind. He has a way with ladies.”

Sam looked at him, confused, while her brothers shifted uncomfortably and cleared their throats.

“After that, whether the duchess leaves to the Somerset estate, some other place, or stays in London will be up to her.”

“And what about you?” Miss Lewis asked.

“I’ll go back to the country. I don’t believe any harm will come to the duchess after that. She will be powerful in her own right.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Mr. Lewis asked.

“Yes.” John nodded. “As soon as the Montbrooks enter, I need you to detain the man in the card room until the announcement is made. You”—he turned to Sam’s sister—“and Lady Clydesdale will have to occupy Lady Montbrook’s time. We don’t want them leaving before everything is taken care of. And… Prepare for the wedding.”

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