The Heiress - Lynsay Sands [75]
Daniel then turned his gaze to Lisa and Robert in question, who both nodded at once.
“Daniel,” Suzette said, poking his chest to get his attention. “Who poisoned George?”
“I’ll tell you on the way,” he promised, catching her hand and heading for the door at almost a jog.
Suzette laughed a little breathlessly at his eagerness, but didn’t protest or try to pull free as he led her into the hall. Once there, however, he released her hand and started toward Richard and Christiana, who were by the stairs.
“Richard, now that the blackmailer is caught and the identity of the murderer found, there is no reason to delay. We are heading for Gretna Green at once.”
Richard groaned, but then straightened and said, “Certainly, we shall leave first thing in the morning.”
“The morning?” Daniel asked, and Suzette wasn’t surprised at the displeasure in his voice.
Richard nodded. “Well, the women will have to pack and—”
“The chests are still packed from this morning. At least mine is,” Suzette interrupted and then glanced over her shoulder to Lisa as she, Robert and their father also stepped into the hall.
“Mine too,” Lisa assured her.
Suzette glanced to Christiana next. While her older sister hesitated briefly, she did nod in the end and admit, “So is mine.”
Richard immediately ducked his head to whisper something to her. Christiana whispered back, but the couple paused and turned their attention to Daniel again as he asked, “Richard, is your carriage still out front? I don’t recall you sending your driver to the stables.”
“I didn’t,” Richard admitted. “I wasn’t sure we wouldn’t need it again.”
“Mine is still out front as well,” Robert announced. “They just need to be loaded.”
“Excellent.” Daniel clapped his hands with satisfaction. “Then we merely need to have mine prepared and brought around, load them up and we can—damn,” Daniel paused to mutter, “I forgot my carriage is presently out of commission. I will have to rent one for the maids.”
Suzette bit her lip with frustration. There always seemed to be something to delay or interfere with their getting to Gretna Green. She was beginning to think someone had cursed them.
“We can use mine,” Lord Madison announced. “It is out front.”
Suzette beamed at her father. Everything was going to be all right. This time, surely, nothing would interfere with their traveling to Gretna Green and getting married.
After three days of travel, Suzette shouldn’t have been so confused when she opened her eyes to find herself in yet another strange bed. However, it took a full moment before she recalled that she was in yet another inn room she was sharing with Lisa, and on the way to Gretna Green. The moment she did, however, Suzette was suddenly wide awake. It was the fourth and final day of their journey. They should arrive at the village of Gretna Green by dinnertime that day and moments later would be married. Afterward, they would have a celebratory meal with everyone, and then she and Daniel would finally consummate the marriage and be husband and wife.
The last thought took some shine off the smile that had been blossoming on her lips. It wasn’t the finally being husband and wife part that dimmed her happiness, but the consummation itself. Suzette wasn’t looking forward to it, and really wasn’t pleased at the idea of her wedding night being spoiled by it being her first time. While Christiana had answered her question as to whether it hurt the first time or not with a weak, “A little perhaps,” Suzette was not convinced. It had been obvious that Chrissy was distressed at discussing the subject, but had that been because it was such a personal matter, or because she didn’t wish to scare Suzette by telling her the truth? Christiana had certainly changed the subject quickly at that point, and Suzette couldn’t forget what she’d read about streams of blood and enough pain to make her faint.
She really wished she and Daniel had done the consummating part before now. Unfortunately, they