Page 121 of A Single Obsession

“Hmm,” said Hetta, staring at her. “You don’t look as if you’re being coerced into marriage.”

“We’re not, but…” Eliza shot Beau a pained glance and took a deep breath when he nodded. “…my aunt wanted to make sure of that.”

“Lady Harting is as unprincipled as ever her mother-in-law was,” the Duchess said, looking as if she had just sucked on a slice of lemon. “No heart. I’ll not let her force my granddaughter into a marriage she does not desire—”

“But I do desire it, Grandmama. I think we’d better explain what happened today.”

Before they could start, Georgiana swept into the room unannounced, followed by her husband and Charlotte. “Hold that thought. You may as well tell us all at once, and I insist on having a cup of tea to drink while I listen.”

Everyone except the Duchess rose to their feet again to greet the newcomers. Once the bustle was over, and the party seated and served with tea, Beau took his place beside Eliza, and clasped her hand in his own. Between them, they told their story, each interrupting when the other was too hard on themselves.

“What madness,” said Charlotte, when they reached the end of their tale, “to ride in a horserace. You might have been killed—”

“That’s all I could think about,” said Beau. “The trouble was, I couldn’t convince your sister I was angry at myself for putting her in such danger. I never imagined—”

“I should have let you talk to me—” said Eliza, interrupting her betrothed and addressing him as if there was no one else in the room.

“But if I’d behaved more honourably and not tried to avoid getting married—”

“I should have been readier to forgive—”

“And I should have admitted how much I loved you instead of being afraid—”

Mr Merry held up his palm. “Enough. I am convinced you are deeply in love with each other. More than that, I see you are already working well as a team. I came here with deep misgivings, prepared to refuse to perform the ceremony, fearing you were being pushed into a marriage neither of you was ready for. But given what I have just observed, I no longer have any qualms. I will marry you tomorrow, if you desire it.”

They glanced at each other and grinned.

“We’d like that. I believe Lord Harting and my mother arrive in the morning—”

“No.”

All eyes turned to the Duchess.

Eliza’s heart plummeted. Whilst she didn’t need her grandmother’s permission, it stung that she disapproved of her choice.

“I’m going to marry him, Grandmama, whether or not you approve,” she said, a touch of ferocity in her voice.

“Yes, yes, of course, but I refuse to stay under the same roof as that woman after what she’s done. I must be gone before she arrives. Huh! To think people called me conniving. If I remain, I might say something we’d all regret. No. There’s nothing for it. The wedding will have to be tonight.”

Her words were met by silence.

“Well? Is there a problem with that, Christopher? Can it be done?”

“Only with a special licence,” Eliza’s father said. “I assumed my brother would bring it.”

“Fortunately, that’s not the case.” Beau retrieved a paper from his jacket pocket, where he had kept it close to his heart, and waved it in the air triumphantly. “I have it right here.”

Mr Merry examined the document. “All is in order. I can marry you this evening, if you wish.”

“Why wouldn’t they wish it?” The Duchess stared at Eliza, her eyebrows raised. “You told me you were determined to wed him, whether or not I liked it. Why not marry him tonight? It’s a shame he’s only a viscount, but I daresay you’ll rub along nicely together. I understand you’ve grown rather good at breeding horses, Beaumont. I expect a Derby winner or two from your stables.”

Beau bowed his head. “I’ll do my best.”

“Hmm. Yes, I’m sure you’ll do fine—despite your upbringing. Now that’s sorted, perhaps someone will put their mind to such trivial details as dinner. I trust your household can cope with feeding all of us at such short notice?”

“Mrs Allett is equal to anything,” said Beau. “We’ll speak to her at once.”

He grabbed Eliza by the hand, and they almost ran out of the room. Once in the corridor, he stopped and gazed down into her eyes with such warmth that it stole her breath away.