Laurie gaped. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Probably because Lady Cecily has fogged your mind with her long-winded love talk. Return here at seven to collect the coach, pack sparingly, and carry sufficient funds for accommodation, food, and change of horse. I won’t fund this whole affair, but I can ensure you make it to the border.” Merrick held out his hand for Laurence to shake. “Best of luck to you and your true love.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“You cannot leave like this.” Arabella’s throat ached from the arguments, but she had to stop her niece from throwing her life away. Night had fallen and the maid had returned with the news that Lieutenant Ford was in agreement and would arrange the elopement for that very night. They were to meet one street away, on the edge of Green Park.

Cecily snapped her portmanteau closed and sighed. “Father will not listen, and I love Laurie too much to wait another day. Do you have any idea how hard it is to see him and yet have to part each night? My soul is ripped in two by constant yearning. Were you ever so aware of another person that you simply did not care what happened to you if the feelings deep inside are so stirred again and again?”

Arabella looked down at her hands. She had never felt such a way and doubted she ever would. Given recent developments, she might have no idea what love even looked like. She’d been so sure that Parker was interested. Yet it was Rothwell she’d kissed and wanted to again. “’Tis only lust stirring your body, Cecily,” she whispered.

Cecily cupped her face with one hand, lifting her gaze. Steady, determined eyes met hers. The girl was reconciled to her decision. “Then I shall take lust and passion and forsake a cold alliance with a man older than my father. Wouldn’t you?”

Arabella wanted to nod her agreement, but she’d hidden the true state of her life and her heart from everyone for so long that she feared their pitying glances. One kiss with Rothwell was all the excitement life had sent her way. She’d never experienced further passion or more than a passing flutter of attraction with another man. The sensations Cecily extolled as essential to life were just a dream to Arabella.

She sank onto the side of the bed, letting her niece’s touch slip away. Who was she to deny Cecily a chance at happiness? If a border wedding was the only way to achieve the marriage Cecily wished for and there was love on both sides at the beginning, then surely she should offer what little support she could and hope for the best. It was more than she’d ever had. Lieutenant Ford might be young, but he was from a very good family. Perhaps their influence could control the girl where Arabella had only failed. “If you are sure this is what you want.”

“Oh, I am. I cannot wait to see him again.”

Since Arabella had nowhere else to go save Surrey, then the least she could do was help Cecily make it to the coach and her purported true love. She wrestled the portmanteau from her niece and opened it. “The sky is filled with clouds tonight. Do you have another shawl and a thicker pair of stockings in case the weather worsens?”

Cecily crushed Arabella in a violent embrace. “You are the truest companion a girl could want. Thank you. I will do as you suggest and add to what I have already packed.”

Arabella, moved to tears by the sudden display of affection, was unsure how far to push the girl and settled for merely patting her back. “My last act as chaperone will be to come with you to meet the coach. I cannot allow you to walk the streets alone, and your luggage is somewhat awkward. What if he is delayed? I couldn’t bear for you to stand alone on the street like a common strumpet.”

Cecily wiped at her eyes. “It is kind of you to say delayed and not that Laurie may not come at all. I am sure you are thinking that.”

Arabella squeezed her hand. “As if he would dare desert you. I’ll be right back.”

She returned to her room and collected her dark blue carriage cloak and fine kid gloves. As she donned them, she admired her niece’s bravery. Cecily had never balked at any obstacle life had thrown after the fall that had taken her mother’s life several years ago. She flew through society at her own pace, unmindful of the opinions of others or their dark looks at her daring. In Arabella’s experience, such strength of character was rare in women. She could never be so headstrong, but she wished her niece well.

A tap on her door drew her attention and Cecily’s pretty face peeked through the gap. She stood, portmanteau in hand, dancing on the balls of her feet in the hallway—a woman ready for the greatest adventure of her young life. Arabella checked the time. It was now or never—time to meet Lieutenant Ford and see if his heart was true.

She hurried to her niece and led her down the servants’ staircase, past the servants who peered at them curiously, and out into the dark rear square. The night was overcast with clouds that promised rain but hadn’t delivered, making the hour feel much later than it was. Cecily’s grip tightened on hers, but her steps did not hesitate as they hurried through to the mews and out onto London’s busy streets.

Mayfair teemed with fine carriages on their way to one engagement or another. Although the light was poor due to the clouds, Arabella felt exposed. “Pull your cloak closer about your face, my dear, and keep your head down. We don’t want him to hear of this yet.” By him, Arabella meant Cecily’s father. Farnsworth would chase his daughter down and drag her back by her hair to ensure she kept the bargain he’d made with Lord Parker. Arabella shuddered at the storm that would likely land on her head because of this when Cecily was discovered missing tomorrow morning. It would not be an easy time.

Arabella stopped as she spied a gleaming black carriage standing at the appointed place. The coach bore no crest that she could see but looked very new and fine. She held Cecily in place. “That could not be him.”

“I’m sure it is.” Cecily hurried forward, hood falling to her shoulders in her haste, unconcerned that she could be spotted by someone who knew them.

Heart sinking to her toes, Arabella had no choice but to follow.

“Wait,” she called, but Cecily was already beside the carriage. Lieutenant Ford owned only a phaeton that she knew of. She imagined he’d hire a coach for the journey, but how he could afford such a fine conveyance in just a day escaped her.

She hurried her pace then let out a relieved breath when she spied Lieutenant Ford beside the dark carriage, one hand on the door, one held out to Cecily. He had forgone his navy uniform for this excursion but still looked every inch a sailor. As if in a daze, Cecily moved to him without a second thought for Arabella.

Lieutenant Ford raised Cecily’s hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “My love.”

Cecily’s return smile was blinding.

Lieutenant Ford dragged his gaze away from his future wife and grinned at Arabella over Cecily’s shoulder. “Thank you for delivering her into my keeping, my lady. I promise you we will see you again very soon.”

“How could you afford…,” she asked before she thought better of her question. She winced at how uncouth her blunt question would sound. It was one thing to discreetly enquire after a suitor’s financial affairs, but quite another to demand answers on a public street.

“I have my cousin, Lord Rothwell’s, generosity to thank for that.” His eyes flickered to the impressive conveyance and the restless horses attached to it. “He is as true a believer in love as ever there was.”

Rothwell was involved? That truly surprised her. She’d had the distinct impression that he didn’t care to help anyone, especially not members of his family and that he considered the pair rash in their affections.