Tomorrow he would need to remember to send more food and provisions to Samuel Bellamy’s wife. And a few of Edward’s friends were quietly working behind closed doors to get the man set free, possibly sending him and his family away to another part of the country where he might find work, though they might only be able to get him transported to America or Australia. But at least that was better than hanging.
After church, Edward accompanied Leorah and her family to their home. He was seated near enough to Leorah to speak to her, but not near enough to speak familiarly without someone else hearing them. He contented himself with glancing often at her across the table.
Would the independent, strong-willed Leorah Langdon truly marry him? Would she change her mind? He remembered their kisses from the day he had asked her to marry him, which helped to reassure him that she would not change her mind. And when she met his eye and smiled, his heart lurched.
After the meal, they sat together in the drawing room, and he found himself wishing she could put her arm through his and sit close, as they had when they were alone two days before.
Everyone seemed unable to stop glancing their way. Mr. Langdon stalked the room, clearing his throat or opening his mouth several times as though about to speak, but not saying anything. Mrs. Langdon would break the silence occasionally to ask a question or make an observation.
Leorah said, “I must go very soon and visit Julia and Nicholas and their new baby.”
Edward’s stomach sank at the thought of her being away.
“Shall we go next week?” Mrs. Langdon said. “We only need stay a few days.” She smiled at him.
“Yes, that will be good,” Leorah said.
“I had thought Miss Langdon and I might set a wedding date.”
Leorah suggested a date in late March.
“That is only four weeks away,” her mother said.
His heart pounded at the thought that she was as anxious to marry as he was. Soon they had all agreed on the date Leorah suggested.
Mr. Langdon spoke up once that was settled and asked Edward about the bills that had been introduced into Parliament that session, and Leorah sprang up and went to the pianoforte to play. She played while her father talked. Edward would rather have given his full attention to her playing but did not want to be rude to her father.
After another half hour, he rose and made ready to leave them. As Leorah accompanied him to the door, Mr. and Mrs. Langdon hung back and started talking to each other, giving Edward a chance to say quietly next to Leorah’s ear, “Will you allow me to write to you?”
“I would like that very much,” she said.
He squeezed her hand and left.
Beginning the next morning, Leorah began receiving a short letter from her future husband with every morning post, which were replied to with equal alacrity.
Dearest Leorah,
I hope you will not censure me for saying that I am eagerly awaiting the day when we can speak privately without your parents hearing every word we say, for I want to know your thoughts on every subject, want to hear your opinion about every important—and every not-so-important—topic, and I find I don’t care about anyone else’s as much as I care to know yours.
Dearest Edward,
Are you sure you want to know my thoughts? Some of them might be considered reckless and unseemly. They have even at times been called foolish and heedless.
But I feel the same way. I want to know all your thoughts on every topic, even if they are not the same as mine. I also want to know if you were successful in helping that poor man’s family, the one who nearly shot you. I want to know all the thoughts of a man who would save the life of his would-be killer if he could.
Dearest Leorah,
I especially want to know your most reckless and unseemly thoughts, for I find my life is too ordered and dull, and I am in want of a wife who will entertain me with such opinions as yours. I only hope you will not think my thoughts too stuffy and rigid. I have a secret fear you will suddenly realize I am no pirate and will break off our engagement. Therefore, I am willing to miss a few days of my parliamentary duties as soon as possible to marry you and take you to the sea on a short honeymoon trip.
May we change our agreed-upon date and marry the day after you return from your visit with Nicholas and Julia and their new baby?
Leorah laughed at his letter and wrote back:
My Dearest, Most Endearingly Impulsive Edward,
Of course we may marry the day after my visit with Nicholas and Julia and my newest niece. And though I would be delighted to have you all to myself for as many days as possible, I would not take you away from your duties. We will marry, have Saturday and Sunday to ourselves at your—our—home in London, and then go on our seaside trip when this session is over in July or August. And though you say you are no pirate, the very fact that you wish to take me to the sea makes me even more suspicious. If your previous scandalous behavior and your unfortunate choice in a wife have not shipwrecked your political ambitions, then your unlawful actions as a pirate will no doubt preclude you from the position of Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. I only wish to warn you.
My Kindly, Upright, and Law-Abiding Leorah,
I very much appreciate your graciously putting me on my guard concerning the position of Prime Minister. To own the truth, I am inclined to believe that I was wrong to make it my goal to attain the highest position in Parliament. Mr. Pinegar has usefully helped me to see that I only wanted that position so that I might redeem my family name after what my father did to sully it. Avoiding scandal proved to be difficult and unfulfilling. The thought of spending a quiet life with you and, if God so wills, our children, is the happiest thought I have.
The day after Leorah returned from Lincolnshire and her visit with Nicholas and Julia and their sweet new baby, Jane, she and Edward married in a small ceremony with only his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, Leorah’s parents, Felicity and Elizabeth, and Mr. and Mrs. Mayson.
After the wedding breakfast at the Langdons’ town house, the newlyweds were finally alone in their carriage on the short ride to their home.
As soon as the door was shut, Edward took Leorah in his arms and kissed her—a long, fervent kiss that took her breath away.
His eyes half closed, he said, “Are you sorry we are not on our way to spend our first night together at the sea, or at Grimswood Castle?”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “You cannot persuade me that I am not thoroughly happy.” She played with his large hand and long fingers, tracing circles on his skin as she talked. “Though I am nearly as in love with Grimswood Castle as I am with its owner, I am perfectly content to spend my first night as your wife in our London town house and go to the sea with you at the end this year’s session of Parliament.”
She lifted her face and reached up to bring his mouth down to hers. She kissed him with her whole heart, with as much fervor as he had done.
He groaned. “You make me thankful to be alive.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
He caressed her cheek with his fingertips. “You will always be my favorite hoyden.”
“And you will always be my favorite politician.” She kissed him. “My favorite viscount.” She kissed him again. “And my favorite pirate.”