Selena was still affected by his kiss on her hand, wishing for something she could not identify. She did not answer right away. At last, she looked up. "In some ways, I agree with you. We cannot go much farther and still reach Harrowden before the end of day. I do not wish to bring down scandal on my name if they are determined not to be caught.” She knit her brows. “However, I feel we ought to do everything we can to try to stop them. Who knows but perhaps their carriage has overturned and they are even now in need of assistance. And did you not get a special license for them to be married? Perhaps it is not too late to catch them.” It was a bold move on her part, but she reached out to touch his gloved hand. “Why do we not continue for one more stage and see if we can find them. And if they are truly gone, we will return home."

There was a look in Lucius’s eyes that Selena could not quite identify when he answered. "Very well. We shall do as you suggest. And to answer your question, I was indeed successful and managed to have an audience with the archbishop, where I acquired a special license.” He smiled, and she could have sworn she saw mischief lurking in his eyes.

"You are surprisingly docile to agree to my plan without argument.” Selena narrowed her eyes. “If I have learned anything of you, it is that you enjoy defending your case. Have you something up your sleeve?"

Lucius stood. "I always have something up my sleeve. One must be prepared." He winked at her, as he held out his hand, and she allowed him to help her rise. Despite his air of mystery, Selena could not help but trust him completely.

They climbed into the carriage, and he tapped on the roof. Soon the carriage went from the cobblestones to the dirt road, and Selena was lulled by the rocking motion. She was so at ease that she nearly fell asleep. When she felt the touch of Lucius’s hand on hers, she looked up at him, startled.

“My dear, apart from this liberty I have taken of holding your hand, I will not give you any unwelcome advances while you are under my protection,” he said. “You have my word on it."

Selena's pulse beat erratically in her throat. His touch was not precisely unwelcome, but she did not wish for more, as she knew her reputation would not recover. She was also not sure if she could trust herself to put a proper stop to things. She looked ahead but did not pull her hand from under his.

At her silence, Lucius carefully threaded his fingers through hers, and she was aware of the sensation of warmth that crept through her gloved hand and spread to her whole being. The daylight was beginning to dim, and his voice rumbled in the shadows of the carriage.