Page 80 of Much Ado about a Widow

“With utmost pleasure, Travers.” Rob moved so he was between Georgie and the earl. “I shall inform my second, who will contact yours. It may take them a while to reach us here in Cornwall, but I will be ready whenever you are.” Rob bowed and turned his back, leading Georgie away from the befuddled lord.

“So you will still have to fight him?” Chills scurried down her spine. They were so very close to the happiness that remained just beyond their grasp.

“Our seconds will contact each other and attempt to settle the dispute.” Raising her hand, he kissed it on the palm. “I suspect Travers will simply steal away, and no more will be heard of it. It would be very embarrassing for him if the reason for the challenge became public.”

Pray God Rob spoke the truth.

“So that was all it took? Your father’s given us his blessing?” Rob lowered his voice as they headed toward one of the carriages.

“Be careful you do not doubt it.” She laughed, not truly believing it was real either. “You saw how quickly he turned on Travers.” Grasping Rob’s arm, she leaned into him, deliriously happy. “We are finally betrothed, although not for long, I hope.”

“Unless you wish another voyage, or to travel to London by carriage over the next weeks to secure a special license, we must have the banns read in the parish church here.” He caressed her cheek. “Will you mind waiting very much?”

“I suppose we will find ways to pass the time.” Smiling, Georgie stopped as they crossed onto the shell road. Sliding her arms around his neck, she rose on tiptoe, her mouth hungry for his.

“Stop that this second.”

Georgie jumped away from Rob as Jemmy came striding up to them, Elizabeth following in his wake.

“No intimate contact with my sister until after the wedding.” His stern front did not disguise his glee. “I told you I would act as chaperone while you were on the voyage.”

“But—” Both she and Rob tried to interrupt, but her brother droned on.

“As there is to be no voyage, but there will be a betrothal period, I intend to watch out for you and your reputation during the period between betrothal and marriage.” Grinning as though he was enjoying himself immensely, her brother added one further admonition. “And I assure you, I have very sharp eyes.”

Georgie punched him in the arm. “Jemmy! For goodness sake. After everything we’ve been through, can you not allow us even a kiss?” She looked longingly at Rob. “Not even one?”

“Considering,” Rob chimed in, “as I just announced, we have already done much more than kiss, why not let us continue to anticipate our blissful wedding with an even more blissfully anticipated honeymoon?”

“I do believe, dearest, that you should make some slight allowance for Georgie and Rob.” To the rescue as always, Elizabeth linked her arm through her husband’s. “As you may remember, we shared much, much more than a kiss before we were married.”

“Elizabeth.” Jemmy sent an agonized look to his wife. “You are supposed to be supporting me in suppressing their urges before they are married.”

“I refuse to be a hypocrite, my dear.” Smiling sweetly at her husband, Elizabeth patted his arm. “As long as I remember that evening at the Harvest Festival, and the passageway between your room and Georgie’s at Blackham Castle—”

“You stayed in my room at home, Elizabeth?” Even though no one else could hear her, Georgie still lowered her voice. Old habits died hard. “The one with the secret passage?”

“Yes, my dear. And we had the most marvelous evening—”

“Elizabeth.” Jemmy tugged on her arm, heading up the path with a quicker than usual step. “Come. You have been standing for far too long.”

“Yes, dear.” The two of them moved toward the carriage.

Lingering just a moment behind, Georgie and Rob stood facing the Justine and open sea beyond. “A glorious morning, wouldn’t you say, Captain?”

“I would indeed, Mrs. Captain.” He took her in his arms before her brother could put up a protest. “My Lady Pirate, who has stolen my heart.”

“Aye, Captain.” She pressed her lips to his, for all the world to see. “Let us set sail on a new adventure.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

A little over two weeks later, Georgie stood solemnly beside Rob before the altar in the Lady Chapel of the St. Just Parish Church. No one could have ever convinced her a month before that she would be so deliriously happy to be married again. It was as though the sun had decided to shine on her perpetually.

Because they chose to wait and have the banns read, Georgie and Rob were thrilled not only to receive letters of well wishes from her and Elizabeth’s other friends, but also delighted when they insisted on coming all the way to Cornwall for the wedding. Although Georgie had argued that the week of bouncing in a carriage would not be wise considering their delicate conditions—Charlotte and Fanny were both, like Elizabeth, increasing—they were all adamant. Their other widow friend, Jane, who was not increasing, had agreed to ride with them to keep them company, and the journey sounded almost fête-like to Georgie.

Meanwhile, she and Elizabeth and Lady St. Just had not been idle. They had worked hard to plan a spectacular wedding breakfast in the large drawing room for Georgie and Rob, their guests, the local families, and friends. At the gathering after the ceremony, Georgie had met almost everyone in the parish, it seemed, before slipping off to talk and laugh with the members of the sadly depleted Widows’ Club.

“I am the sole member left.” The die-away, overly dramatic voice Jane used brought a smile to Georgie’s face. “The members of the Widows’ Club are now all happily wedded, even down to little Maria. She wrote to me not long ago, singing the praises of a blissful married life.”