“Well then. I’d say he no longer has any qualms about mixing work and family. Come along.” They followed the vicar into the kitchen, which was just as deserted as the outside.

“What time is the ceremony supposed to start?” Alec practically growled. Being in this house again set him even more on edge.

“Three o’clock. You won’t come upstairs?” The vicar gestured up ahead.

“We don’t want to spoil the surprise.” Rafe again gave him that friendly smile. “And you won’t say a word, right, Vicar?” He added a wink and the vicar melted a little, now putty in Rafe’s capable hands.

“No, of course not. I won’t want to ruin anything.”

“I can’t thank you enough. We’ll come right after the ceremony begins. So there isn’t a commotion.”

The vicar nodded along, as if this all made perfect sense, and disappeared up the stairs.

Rafe wiped the smile from his face and turned to Alec. “We only have fifteen minutes. How well do you know this house?”

“Well enough to know where the servant’s staircase is.” Alec pointed to a small doorway in a corner of the kitchen. “And what floor her bedroom is on.”

“Good man. Let’s go.”

He headed toward the staircase, but Alec hesitated. What if she wanted this? What if he had driven her right into Wetherby’s arms? The man had come across as a pompous ass in their exchanges but could be a veritable prince in the flesh.

Alec wasn’t sure he could face that.

Rafe glanced back. “Come on, then. Before the vicar returns and I have to flirt with him some more. I’m running out of ways to explain your ridiculous behavior.”

The hallway outside Lottie’s bedroom was deserted, but voices could be heard in the downstairs parlor. Alec crept over to Lottie’s bedroom while Rafe kept watch at the main staircase. He tested the knob. Locked. One point for Lottie not wanting to marry the dashing secretary. Alec signaled to Rafe then pressed his ear to the door. “Lottie,” he whispered while knocking softly. “Are you in there?” There was the faint sound of mattress springs creaking as she rose from the bed and shuffled closer.

“Who’s there?” she asked in a muffled voice.

Alec’s stomach tipped from the weight of his regret. How many miles he had traveled these last few days, yet it was this slight distance that now felt insurmountable. He had to clear his throat before he could answer. For all he knew she would still prefer being locked up. “It’s—it’s Alec.”

She nearly shrieked and pulled on the doorknob. “Oh, Professor Gresham! Please help. I’m trapped!”

His heart plummeted to the richly carpeted floor. “Valentina? Where is Lottie? Is she well?”

There was an ominous pause on the other side of the door.

“Someone’s coming,” Rafe interrupted.