and with every appearance of respect, explained the need for witnesses, and presented the documents to his guests.
“This is a happy occasion, Nicholas,” Heathgate remarked. Big, dark visaged, and taciturn, the man would scare small children when he was in a foul mood—and grown men as well. “You are satisfied with the terms you’ve struck?”
Nick permitted Heathgate his posturing, as it was all for the cause. “I am, though the earl has driven a hard bargain.”
Heathgate grimaced as he glanced over the documents, no doubt seeing that the earl had in fact required coin to part with his daughter, a display of disrespect for the lady, if nothing else.
“Unusual terms. And you, Wilton? Are you satisfied with these terms? They hardly devolve to your credit.”
“They devolve to my benefit,” Wilton corrected him evenly. “And with all due respect, Heathgate, you need not consider the particulars of the document. Your role is to verify the parties are signing the thing freely and voluntarily.”
Heathgate’s arctic-blue eyes bored into Wilton’s, and Nick considered the stage had lost a talent when Gareth Alexander ascended to his title. “You sign this freely and voluntarily?”
“I most assuredly do,” Wilton said with a touch of hauteur.
“Shall I review the consideration offered?” Heathgate asked. From Wilton, it would have been rude. From Heathgate, who was unapologetically up to his lordly elbows in trade, and whose rank was superior to Nick’s and Wilton’s, it was simply playing by the rules.
Wilton nodded, not meeting anybody’s eyes. “If you please.”
Heathgate prowled to the desk, took the stack of money and notes from Nick’s hands, and sat down, leafing through item by item, until he looked up and arched an eyebrow at Nick.
“You’re short by two thousand pounds, Nicholas.”
Lovely bit of histrionics there. Wilton handed Heathgate the two bank drafts Nick had passed to him earlier.
“That completes the sum. There is here consideration in cash and commercial paper worth the total agreed to in that contract.”
“I am satisfied,” Wilton said, as he bent over the contract and signed both copies. Heathgate passed them to Nick, who appended his signature, followed by Val, then Heathgate himself. Wilton sanded both copies and passed one to Nick.
“Now then?” Wilton gave Nick an expectant look.
Nick let relief show on his face. “The ceremony will be tomorrow at Lady Warne’s town house, two of the clock, sharp. I’ll send my carriage for you and your younger daughter. Leah will stay with Lady Warne prior to the ceremony.”
“Tomorrow?” Wilton’s surprise was visible. “I realize time is of the essence, Reston, but surely, you haven’t anticipated your vows?”
“I will ignore that insult to my future countess.”
Heathgate speared Wilton with a look. “Let me suggest the earl and his daughter accompany me tomorrow in my town coach. My marchioness has warned me Lady Emily will be very much sought after next year, and asked that I make the young lady’s acquaintance.”
Wilton’s eyebrow rose again, as if he weren’t sure he was hearing correctly. Heathgate, after years of cutting a broad swath across Society with all manner of vice on his mind, had settled down and taken a nobody for a bride. His wealth and influence were undisputed and far-reaching, but in the years since his marriage, his wife had taken little interest in using hers. Clearly calculating the enormous benefit to Lady Emily, Wilton graciously accepted and sprang the trap Heathgate had so generously set for him.
“We would be pleased to join you,” Wilton replied, his smile for once devoid of malice.
“I’ll call for you at half past,” Heathgate said. “Nicholas? I believe we’ve an appointment at my club.”
“I’ll take my leave of you, my lord.” Nick bowed formally, keeping his expression as grave as a young man’s in anticipation of marriage should be. “We will not start the ceremony without you.”
Val, assigned the role of the silent observer, followed Nick and Heathgate to the door. When they reached the street, Nick steered them to the park and made sure they were not being pursued.
“I’d like to visit a friend,” Nick said as they ambled along the walk. “If you gentlemen wouldn’t mind joining me?”
Val exchanged a look with the marquis as they strolled through the park, a display of lordly pulchritude that turned the heads of the governesses and shopgirls enjoying the spring day.
“Where did you get that?” Val asked, staring down at the crumpet in Nick’s hand.
“Pinched it from Wilton, for my friend.” They approached the duck pond, and only when they were off the path and away