Her brow furrowed as a twinge of panic ran through her. “This afternoon is much too soon.”
“Why? A special license allows us to wed anywhere, at any time. And the vicar in Chiswick has already agreed to perform the ceremony whenever I request it of him.”
Madeline grimaced. “You were very sure of yourself, weren’t you, Lord Haviland.”
His mouth curved slightly. “Of course. It was you I was unsure about.”
“Won’t your grandmother wish to be present at your wedding?” Madeline asked.
Rayne brushed off her concern. “My grandmother is in Brighton at the moment. I don’t want to wait for her to return to London, or to spoil her enjoyment of her friend’s house party.”
“Lady Haviland won’t be happy to learn that you have wed me.”
“Allow me to handle her.”
“What about your sisters?”
“Both my sisters are in Kent, too far away to arrive in time.”
Madeline wondered if Rayne meant to exclude his sisters for the same reason he wasn’t inviting his grandmother—because they would not approve of his marrying her.
Then he hesitated as if a thought had occurred to him. “Perhaps you would rather have your brother present at your wedding.”
She would certainly rather, but she had not been present for Gerard’s marriage in Scotland, and just now he was not available to attend hers. Furthermore, if she tried to explain why, his theft would come out.
“I don’t require my brother’s presence,” Madeline replied. “But what is the hurry?”
“I don’t intend to give you time to change your mind.”
“I won’t change my mind,” she vowed, even though she was already having alarming second thoughts.
“Then we will hold the ceremony at five o’clock at Riverwood. I’ll speak to the vicar about officiating as soon as I return to Chiswick.”
Madeline suddenly recalled her own obligations. “I had best return there now. I have a class at ten this morning, and I have a wedding to prepare for….”
The realization struck her with renewed force. She pressed her gloved hand to her temple, feeling dazed by the speed of events. She had come here intending to stop a duel and wound up agreeing to wed Rayne. Dear heaven, I am mad, Maman.
“Come,” Rayne urged, smoothing her veil into place before taking her elbow. “I will let Freddie drive you home since I must stop at my house here.”
She allowed Rayne to escort her to Freddie’s curricle, where he was waiting in the seat, holding the reins.
As Rayne handed her up, he must have sensed her wavering resolution, for he said bracingly, “I will see you at five o’clock, love. I’ll send a carriage for you at Danvers Hall at a quarter till, and if you are not ready, I will come for you myself.”
Madeline had no doubt Rayne would make good on his promise, and so made no reply as she arranged her skirts on the seat. She ignored Freddie’s quizzical glance also, and asked him to take her home at once, saying she would explain during the drive.
Just now she was too occupied wondering if she had made a dreadful mistake.
Rayne left the dueling field feeling a strong sense of satisfaction. He’d been seriously displeased to see Madeline this morning, but the end result made up for her maddening interference.
By this evening she would be wedded to him, and by tonight she would be bedded.
The prospect filled him with triumph and anticipation as his carriage negotiated the foggy streets of Mayfair. And when Rayne recalled Madeline’s irate responses to his interrogation, he felt an undeniable measure of relief.
She’d had a reasonable explanation for writing to Ackerby, enough to allay his worst suspicions about her. Her concern was for him, not the baron.
He had overreacted, Rayne admitted, thinking they might be lovers. And her correspondence with her brother was only the support of a loving sister, not some sinister plot to betray him.
Marriage to Madeline was indeed the right course, Rayne reaffirmed to himself. He could repay his debt to her late father, as well as give her the protection of his name and save her from Ackerby’s pursuit.