A Daring Liaison by Gail Ranstrom

Author:Gail Ranstrom [Ranstrom, Gail]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-01-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Charles strode from Doctor’s Commons, his head down and deep in thought. For the sum of five pounds, he’d just purchased the right to marry Georgiana at any place, any time, for the next three months. Two witnesses and a minister were all he’d need. Those were easy.

Georgiana’s consent would be more difficult.

He’d spent most of the day after his meeting with Wycliffe and Richardson at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office, and now the shadows were deepening, the sun obscured by surrounding buildings. He crossed the commons to the stables, still deep in thought. He’d have to hurry if he was to make it home, wash, change for the evening and still fetch Georgiana on time.

When she had mentioned that she was at leisure this evening, he had asked her to join him at his brother Andrew’s home for a family dinner party—a very good place to introduce Georgiana to the rest of the family. Perhaps he would test the waters there.

He’d find some logical way to present the idea without mentioning the special license. She would, no doubt, be angry that he’d had the presumption to acquire one without consulting her. But, if they were to do it, it would be best to do it quickly. Surely she would see the sense in that.

He winced when he thought of what she would say. No would be the kindest thing. After all, she’d said it before. And rather emphatically, at that. He’d have to coax her, convince her that this was the most logical and expeditious course of action considering that her arrest might be imminent and she could be locked away in Newgate or Fleet Prison. Between his name and marriage he might be able to protect her or gain her better treatment. He’d even lie and tell her he’d consent to a divorce or annulment afterward. Seems he had very few scruples where Georgiana was concerned.

The shadow of a movement from behind drew him from his introspection and he turned just in time to see the flash of a blade slicing downward. Instinctively, he dodged to the side and rolled, coming up on his feet. Both slashes would have been killing blows if the attacker had made contact. A second later and he’d have been dead, a knife in his back.

Still a possibility.

His assailant lunged again and Charles bobbed to the side, then drove into the man’s midsection with his right shoulder, knocking him to the ground. Through the gloom, he could see that the man wore a black woolen hood with two ragged eyeholes cut out, much like an executioner’s mask. Why the precaution unless Charles would recognize him?

“Gibbons,” he snarled. “Finally decide to do your own dirty work?”

The man pulled off his mask and grinned, exposing two rows of rotten teeth. “Think yer clever? How clever will y’be when yer dead?”

Gibbons gained his feet and crouched, swaying from side to side in an invitation for Charles to lunge again.

Instead he fell back a step.

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