Merrick settled behind his desk again, securing the special license in the top drawer, out of sight, out of mind, till needed. “Start from the beginning.”

“I gave your advice considerable thought last night and I wish to have Cecily for my wife. I wanted things settled before I returned to duty, and so I called on her father and asked for her hand, but he wouldn’t hear me out. Kept saying I was too late.” Laurence shook his head.

Occasionally, Laurence spoke as if one knew exactly what he meant without being specific. Just to be sure he’d been clear, Merrick queried him. “So you did tell him you wanted to marry her?”

“Yes, I managed to say marriage several times, very clearly, before he insisted I leave.”

Merrick hid a grin, imagining his cousin’s earnest face as he’d professed his undying love for the wild Cecily. “Perhaps Farnsworth thought your acquaintance too slight, too brief of duration, to agree to the marriage on your first request. You are very young, coz. Given time, he could very well change his mind. There is no necessity in marrying the girl immediately is there?”

Laurence shook his head, his cheeks turning red at his suggestion that there could be an urgent reason to marry, like a babe in Lady Cecily’s belly already. “None at all, although I have been led to believe she would not be adverse to that. Cecily wrote me today and I am greatly concerned by her news.”

A much-folded letter was produced and promptly handed over. Merrick opened it and read the first lines, grimacing as he did so. Sugary-sweet sentiments slid from the page. No wonder Laurence was concerned. Cecily was very eloquent about her passion for his cousin. A letter like this, in the wrong hands before a wedding, could prove highly embarrassing to all parties. “I think this is perhaps too private to be shown to others.” He made to fold it and hand it back, but Laurence waved his hands and refused to take it.

“The worst news is at the end.”

Merrick didn’t like his chances of avoiding the cloying phrases, so he skimmed them as best he could until the letter became interesting. He sat up straighter and whistled. “That’s a surprise. I imagined Farnsworth might approve of someone younger, a man he could control.” He’d also thought Parker’s attention had been on Arabella, not the niece.

Laurence nodded. “And Parker’s cruel. Just last week he beat an urchin who’d stumbled into his path.”

“There is no reason to suspect he would show his wife so little consideration.” Merrick caught his cousin’s gaze. “Despite that, it could be a good match for her. She’s bound to outlive him and can marry whomever she pleases later.”

Laurence’s expression became distraught. “I cannot wait forever. You were correct last night that I had not considered her reputation, but eloping, as Cecily suggests, is bound to cause a scandal for the family. I love her and want to spend every moment making her happy. What should I do?”

“There is nothing that can be done.” Merrick had discovered fathers were quite an obstacle when a man had his mind on their daughter, even when he had honorable intentions. “Her father has the right to choose her husband, even if others may find the match disagreeable.”

Laurence stood and paced before the desk, long legs eating up the distance in jerky strides. It was like watching a windmill, limbs everywhere at once. He pulled his temperamental orchid out of danger again and moved it to a safer position behind him to prevent an accident.

“Can you imagine Cecily wed to that man?” Laurence exclaimed suddenly. “She’s far too spirited in nature to ever be truly happy with such a match.”

When Merrick had mentioned last night that it was ungentlemanly to steal kisses from an unmarried girl without there being an understanding, he had no notion that his words would be taken so far to heart and so quickly. That Laurence had attempted to propose impressed him, but he couldn’t fathom why he would want to be saddled with such a wild, untamed wife. There wouldn’t be a lot of easy companionship in the marriage. Laurence was not thinking sensibly. “Are you sure you want to be saddled with her? I hope your decision had less to do with the threat of Aunt Pen and that you are aware of every facet of Lady Cecily’s personality.”

A flush of color swept Laurie’s face. Anger or embarrassment, Merrick couldn’t tell. Laurence sat again and drew in a shaky breath. “She may have an impetuous nature, but we do have similar interests. As you can see from her note, it is her wish to elope and avoid marriage to Lord Parker, and I’m willing to go along with that. I do want her for my wife—with or without her dowry. I’ve never considered such a thing as a necessity before and hoped you might advise me of how to go on.”

Merrick leaned back in his chair. Making a potentially scandalous match, without the family’s approval or the anticipation of the girl’s dowry to sweeten the pot, raised Merrick’s estimation of Laurence’s character considerably. Only a man in love or a fool would go against such pressure. “What makes you think I could help with an elopement?”

Laurence colored. “My brothers have mentioned your experience with women on occasion, and you have come to Lady Farnsworth’s aid before.”

Merrick frowned. “What does Lady Farnsworth have to do with you eloping?”

“An unsuccessful elopement, rather than a successful one, is sure to cause Lady Farnsworth considerable embarrassment. We would rather avoid capture if at all possible.”

He stood, infuriated that he was being blackmailed by his own cousin with the threat of diminishing Lady Farnsworth’s happiness. There was no way Laurence had concocted this scheme on his own. This was Cecily’s influence at work. “I see Cecily doesn’t care one whit for her aunt’s advice. If you think I’ll help you simply on the threat of tarnishing Lady Farnsworth’s reputation, think again. I don’t believe we have anything further to say to one another.”

Laurence bounced to his feet and leaned over the desk, his voice dropping low. “On the contrary. Cecily cares for her aunt’s future a great deal and bemoans the fact that, as a chaperone, Lady Farnsworth has not been free to pursue her own life. She’s much too pretty to be alone.” Laurence’s throat worked as he swallowed. “And I’ve noticed Lady Farnsworth has caught your attention. Do you have a special license from grandfather, too? Are you considering proposing to her?”

Merrick cursed roundly under his breath. If this simpleton had detected his admiration for Arabella, then it was likely that others had, too. He stilled. Had his aunt come out to ensure that Arabella’s reputation remained intact last night?

The idea that his mother’s family was set against any association, even a harmless one, between himself and Arabella infuriated him. He had never done one reproachable thing in his dealings with the lady before except accidentally kiss her last night. Aunt Pen couldn’t have known about the kiss at the time. During the season, he had denied every impulse to linger near the widow because she was clearly uncomfortable around him. Last night she’d been flustered, but she would never willingly choose him over propriety. His family’s mistrust was the final straw.

If he could not have Arabella, then he would help someone else find their happiness by any means. He strode to the doorway and yanked it open. “Holland, have the new coach ready to make a long journey tonight,” he bellowed and then slammed the door shut.

Laurence was on his feet in an instant, towering over him. “You cannot leave now.”

“Of course I cannot leave.” He stabbed his finger into Laurence’s chest, momentarily surprised by the resistance he encountered. Life onboard a ship had hardened the boy. “You will have your heart’s desire. Tonight. Take my new coach on the journey north and you’ll have a better chance of slipping from London undetected. I’ll have a word with your captain and ensure you suffer no penalty. He owes me.”