For a second these words didn't register and then she understood. He wasn't holding her tight, he was leaving the decision to her; instead of backing away she tilted her head, linked her hands around his neck and waited for his kiss.

  The next thing she knew he'd grabbed two handfuls of her gown and ripped it asunder. Her undergarments were treated with equal disregard and before she had time to protest she was as naked as he.

  'Darling, open your eyes.'

  'I can't, it's too shocking. I love you, Benedict, but I don't want to see you without clothes on ever again. And neither do I wish to be completely unclothed either.'

  'Then you're in for a sad disappointment, my love, as we're going to be spending a great deal of our time as nature intended.'

  She was roused from a blissful slumber in the arms of her lover by the screams of her mother.

  'Help, help, my daughter's been abducted too.' This refrain was being repeated again and again and by now the entire house would be awake.

  'God's teeth! I intended to have you back in your room before anybody was up.'

  She stretched lazily, like a contented cat, and smiled at him. 'If you hadn't ruined my clothes, my lord, I could dress and be found sleeping in the study. What happens next is entirely your fault. I've no intention of saying anything to my mother – you're the gentleman responsible for the despoiling of an innocent maiden so you must…'

  His eyes blazed and his wicked smile heralded his attentions. She forgot everything else but his hands and lips on her already overheated body.

  Nobody disturbed them and later that afternoon there was a discreet tap on the door. His valet spoke without opening it.

  'My lord, the vicar's here and has agreed to perform your wedding ceremony this afternoon.'

  'Then we'll be down in an hour. Have a bath drawn for my bride and have her maid put out her wedding gown. Let the kitchen know we'll be celebrating tonight.'

  *

  The reason behind the hurried nuptials of the Earl and Countess of Stonham became the scandal of the year but it bothered them not one jot. They had no intention of spending any time in Town and were content to remain in Suffolk at Harcourt House and look forward to the arrival of their first child in the autumn.

  One might have thought that the Dowager Countess and Mrs Watson would have been horrified by the behaviour of their respective progeny but both ladies, having recovered from the shock, were just happy that their children had married for love.

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