“Er . . .” Richard glanced toward Daniel and Langley, but they were both apparently content to stay out of this.

“We cannot possibly pack and prepare for a journey that quickly,” Christiana said reasonably, drawing his attention back to the girls. “Why, we shall be lucky to manage it by morning. It will have to be tomorrow, and then only if we start right away.”

Suzette and Lisa nodded agreement and rose, apparently ready to rush off at once. Richard stopped them by raising a hand.

“Now, wait. There is no need to panic. We can manage it today. You needn’t pack much, just one change of clothes, we—”

“One change of clothes?” Christiana echoed with dismay. “Richard, it is at least a two day ride from here to York by carriage and Gretna Green must be another day or day and a half after that. We cannot manage with one change of clothes.”

“We can make Gretna Green in two days if we ride straight through only stopping to change horses,” he assured her gently. “And since we will not be stopping either way there is no need to don fresh clothes except when we can actually stop and bathe at an inn in Gretna Green. Besides, I want to take only the one carriage. There would be no room for wardrobes for the six of us and—”

“The six of us?” Lisa squawked. “What about our maids?”

“Lisa is right. We need our maids. I intend to look nice at my wedding and my maid Georgina is the only one who knows how I like to wear my hair. No, your plans just will not do,” Suzette said firmly.

“Christiana and Lisa could help you with your hair,” Richard pointed out desperately.

Christiana clucked her tongue impatiently. “Even if we agreed to forgo taking our maids, you cannot expect us to ride for two straight days and nights there and then two more back, the six of us crammed into one tiny carriage. How do you expect us to sleep jostling about in a tiny, cramped carriage with you three large men? No, we shall have to stop each night to rest.”

Lisa and Suzette nodded, and then Lisa added, “We shall need at least two carriages, preferably three if we are taking the maids. And we definitely need more than one change of clothes. Let me see, if we stop each night the journey shall likely take four days and three nights there and the same back

. . . We need at least eight outfits each, and then there are night clothes and shoes and— Oh, we really need to get started if we want to get any sleep at all tonight.”

“You are right.” Christiana stood and headed for the door. “You two go on up and start choosing what you wish to take. I shall find our maids and join you directly.”

Richard stared after Christiana and her sisters as they hurried from the room chattering away. He really had thought she’d be as eager to get to Gretna Green and legalize their marriage as he was. He was sure she’d enjoyed last night as much as he and would be eager to be able to do it again. It seemed, however, that he hadn’t a clue when it came to Christiana. It also looked as if he would be sleeping in the guest bedroom tonight . . . alone.