"Tris, are you saying that you . . . and Miss Beauchamp ..." said Kate.
"Yes, though we never meant for it to happen," said Tristram, glancing at the girl by his side. "Philippa is too noble. She would have wed you no matter what, Max. She did not wish to disappoint her father."
"As good a reason as I had," muttered Max.
"You are not too angry with me, are you, Mr. Darby?" asked Philippa Beauchamp, her blue eyes wide with fear.
Max began to laugh. Kate joined him, and soon they were almost falling out of their chairs with amusement.
After a moment, Tristram said, "It is not as funny as all that."
Max held up his hand while he got his mirth under control. When he could speak again, he said, "But it
is, Tris. I had decided to call it quits with Miss Beauchamp. I'm sure you will not be offended by that, Miss Beauchamp."
"Not at all," she said, her dimples showing. "And I think it is time you called me Philippa. Tristram has been doing so for ages."
"Thank you, Philippa. I deem it an honor. And you must call me Max, under the circumstances. And this is Kate, to you, since you will be sisters, of sorts."
"So you and Miss O'Connor—I mean, Kate—are to be wed, too?" asked the girl.
"Yes, as soon as we can reach Scotland. I suppose the two of you will go back to London and tell Philippa's father what has happened. I do not envy you that, Tris. He is not the sort of man one wants to cross. Very powerful friends, he has."
"Oh, Papa is a pussycat. He would not mind."
"Perhaps not, but Philippa and I have decided not to wait, either. We are for the border, too. You will not mind the company, I hope."
"Not at all," said Max, placing an arm around Kate's waist. "The more the merrier."
"Having the two of you along will make things easier, really," said Kate, slapping his hand away. "Philippa, you and I can share a room at each of the inns. Everything will be quite proper."
"Oh, what a splendid idea. That was the one thing I worried about. I love my dear Tristram, but I did not wish to . . . well, you know," said the girl, turning a charming shade of pink.
Max raised his glass again and said, "To us!"
Ten
It was a merry journey indeed. Though there were many stolen kisses, the young ladies managed to keep their swains at bay for the three-day journey. Nor were they overtaken by any angry papas in hot pursuit, since the girls had sent home letters explaining their impetuous flight.
Kate and Max were deliriously happy just spending every waking moment together. As they changed from one traveling coach to the next, they rode side by side, their heads together, discussing their future.
"You will love Ireland, Max. It is so beautiful there."
"I know I will as long as you are there," he whispered.
Kate blushed at the compliment, and said, "I thought Tris was supposed to be the poet in the family."
"Perhaps being with you brings out the poet in me," he said, giving her hand, which he held in his lap, a squeeze.
Snow was falling when they reached their destination, lending their weddings a fairy-tale quality. Forgetting to breathe, Max had to lean on Tristram for support when Kate walked into the chapel.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered when she took his hand.
The short service ended with a kiss. Tristram again was pressed into service to whisper into his brother's ear that they needed to wait until later for that.
Tristram and Philippa were next. Max watched her approach to the altar with wonder. Where, he wondered, was the shy, stumbling girl he had tried to court? In Tristram's company, she was not only beautiful, she was self-possessed and confident.
When the second ceremony was over, the four of them hurried back to the inn, where they had taken two rooms, this time as couples. The landlord and his wife made a living by catering to eloping couples, and they set out a huge feast for the four newlyweds.
"Max, this is wonderful. Have a bite," said Kate, offering her fork to her husband. He took a bite of the rabbit and nodded.
"Who would have thought the Scots could cook like this," he said.
The landlady walked in with another platter, this one containing delicate pastries. Max groaned and put his hand on his stomach.
"Ye must try a little, Mr. Darby, or you'll hurt my feelings, you will."
"I would not want to do that, Mrs. Brown. Very well, just a little. Here, Kate. Where are Tristram and Philippa?"
"Oh, they went upstairs fifteen minutes or more since," said the landlady.
Max chuckled and rose. "We'll take a couple of your pastries up with us, Mrs. Brown. I didn't realize it had grown so late."
The landlady laughed and left them alone.
Kate slapped at Max's arm and said, "You are not very subtle, husband."
"If you wanted subtle, you should not have married me, Kate. I'm too direct in my dealings. For instance, Tristram might quote you poetry, but for me, I'll just say, would you like to go upstairs, Mrs. Darby?"
"I thought you would never ask," she replied with a giggle.
He caught her to him and gave her a quick kiss. "A promise of things to come," he whispered. Taking her hand, he led her out of the private parlor and up the stairs to their room.
"I want you to know, my love," he whispered as he closed the door. "I don't wish to frighten you. I know this will be strange for you, and ..."
Kate turned and threw her arms around his neck, molding her body to his. After a moment, she leaned back in his arms and giggled. "Don't be absurd, Max. You are talking to a country girl. I only hope I don't frighten you."
"Minx!"
"Rogue!"
The two couples had agreed to spend three days in Scotland, at the Browns' inn. Though they had planned to meet for meals each day, they never saw each other until it was time to board the coach for home.
Though none of them offered to share information about their experiences, it was obvious from their contented smiles that they were quite happy with their new mates.
"I shall be glad to get home," said Philippa. "I do hope Papa is not too upset."
"I'm sure Tristram will be able to win him over," said Max. "What about you, wife? Are you worried that your parents will have me horsewhipped?"
"Not Papa. I think he will be secretly pleased. And Mama will be delighted. They married for love, too, you know."
Max insisted on accompanying Tristram and Philippa into the house. As they climbed the steps of the mansion, he explained in an undertone to Kate, "It is the least I can do after jilting his daughter."
"Perhaps, but I am anxious to get home, too," said Kate, pursing her lips at him.
"Don't worry. We will not stay any longer than is necessary," he whispered.
"Papa! Papa!" called Philippa, sweeping past the butler with a smile.
"Philippa!" said Mr. Beauchamp, hurrying into the great hall from the back of the house where his study was located. "My dear child. I should take you over my knee, you know."
The short man favored his new son-in-law with a hard look. Glancing back at his daughter, he asked, "Are you happy, pet?"
"More than I can say," she breathed, releasing her father and holding out her hand to pull Tristram to her side.
Mr. Beauchamp's face softened, and he extended his hand. "Then I will welcome him into the family."
"Thank you, sir."
"I told you we should not have come inside," whispered Kate.
Her words caused Beauchamp to look beyond his daughter and her new husband, and his frown returned.
"Darby, you are a very lucky man."
"In what way?" said Max, stepping closer.
"If my daughter were not so happy, I would do my best to have you shot. As it is, you seem to have done her a favor by throwing her over. She never smiled like that about marrying you."
Max chuckled and grasped the hand the older man offered. "I'm glad you see it that way, sir. What's more, Philippa was the one who told me she preferred my brother. I was relieved that she was so sensible."
"Is that right? And you must be the other new Mrs. Darby," said Beauchamp, turning to Kate. "You, too, appear quite content, so I suppose there is nothing else to be said. Unless you would all like to come into the drawing room for a celebratory drink?"
"Not us, Mr. Beauchamp, though we thank you for your gracious offer. I want to get back to my own parents. I know you'll understand."
"Certainly. We will do that another time, perhaps at the ball I am holding tomorrow night to announce Philippa's marriage to Tristram." He gave a little laugh and said, "I thought it would be the best way to spike the guns of the gossips. We can announce yours, too, if you like."
"That would be wonderful," said Max. "Good-bye, Tris. I'll see you later. Good-bye, Philippa."
Their farewells made, Max and Kate returned to the carriage. Kate fidgeted with the strings of her reticule, but otherwise she remained calm.
Max closed his hand over hers and said, "You know they will not be too angry. I may not have money, but I
do know horses. I'll do all I can to help your father in his business."
"I know, and that will win him over, but I am still a little nervous. I suppose it is only right, since I have not been nervous about anything else over the past week and a half—since the moment you proposed to me."
He stole another kiss as the carriage rolled to a stop.
"Here we go," he said, hopping down and reaching up to help her.
Before they could turn around, the front door opened and Kate's parents appeared, hurrying down the steps to throw their arms around their beloved daughter.
"Darby!" said Mr. O'Connor, his expression fierce. Then he grinned and took Max's hand, shaking it and clapping him on the shoulder.
Mrs. O'Connor stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek before leading the way inside.
When the celebrating was over at the O'Connor house, Max took his wife home. When they entered the modest house, Barton greeted them with a bottle of champagne and a cold collation.
"I do apologize, Master Max, but since I couldn't know what time you would be arriving home, I could not plan a hot meal for you."
"Think nothing of it, Barton. This is wonderful, isn't it, Kate?"
"Just perfect, Barton."
"I am glad it meets your approval, madam. May I offer my sincerest congratulations and best wishes?"
"Thank you, Barton," said Max. "Oh, and Barton, Tris asked me to tell you that he hopes you will consider being butler to him and his new wife."
"Oh, Master Max, I don't know what to say."
"You say yes, that's what you say. No more toadying to the dirty marquess. You will have your own household to run, your own star? to order about..."
"As wonderful as it will be, Master Max, it will not compare to the pleasure I have had serving you and your brothers."
"Well, thank you, Barton," said Max. Holding out his hand, he added, "We never would have succeeded without your guidance. You know that, don't you?"
Barton looked at the offered had, hesitating only a moment before grasping it for a firm shake.
"Thank you, Master Max. That means a... great deal ... to me. Pardon me," he said, hurrying out of the room as his emotions got the best of him.
"I feel like it is my first ball," said Kate. Dropping her necklace, she said, "Oh, drat."
"I'll get it," said Max, picking up the necklace and putting it around her neck. He fastened the clasp and kissed the back of her neck for good measure.
"None of that," she said with a sigh, "or we will never make it to Mr. Beauchamp's ball."
"Very well, my little shrew"
"I wonder how he put it together so quickly," she mused.
"Knowing Robert Beauchamp, I would say he did it without mussing his cravat. The man is remarkable. When Tris came by to pick up his clothes, he told me that Beauchamp had already set up accounts for both him and Philippa. He has also scouted out a couple of likely estates so they may have their choice."
Looking over her husband's shoulder as he tied his
cravat, Kate said, "That could have been you, my love. Any regrets?"
Their eyes met in the glass, and he smiled. Turning his head, he kissed her nose. Then she tumbled into his embrace and their toilettes were forgotten as they found their way to the bed once more.
"I think all of London is here," said Mrs. O'Connor. "How on earth did he manage to put all of this together?"
Not waiting for a reply, she turned to greet her sister. Leading her forward, she said, "Max, you have met my sister, Lady Murray, have you not?"
"Yes, briefly. I attended your ball earlier in the Season, my lady."
"Did you, my boy? I should have remembered that, you being such a handsome rogue. I do hope you will look after our Kate as she deserves."
"He certainly will, aunt," said Kate, linking arms with her new husband. "Speaking of looking after me, I think the musicians are striking up a waltz."
Taking his cue, Max asked, "Will you do me the honor, Mrs. Darby?"
"I would be delighted," said Kate, strolling onto the floor of the ballroom.
He took her in his arms, only a little closer than propriety dictated, and they set off, in perfect step with one another.
"Have I told you tonight that you are the most beautiful lady at the ball? No one can hold a candle to you with those green eyes."
She gurgled with laughter and said, "It is only right, since you are the most splendid gentleman here tonight.
I think you should always wear a blue waistcoat to match your eyes."
He rewarded her with a dizzying twirl that made her giddy. At that moment, Tristram and Philippa whirled by, their gazes locked, oblivious to their surroundings.
"Is that how we look?" asked Kate.
"Certainly not," said Max. "We are much happier than they are."
"I don't know how happy they are, Max, but I could not be happier."
"What about Ireland? Would going home to Ireland make you happier?"
"No, it is no longer as important as it was before. I will be content wherever we are, as long as we are together." She blushed under the warmth of his gaze. "What is it?"