“Yes, but it seems rather early for that,” Lisa said with a shrug. “So we thought we’d wait a bit. Besides, you two shouldn’t be left unchaperoned in a closed room.”

Suzette scowled at the gentle reprimand, and thought that sometimes having a younger sister was truly a pain in the behind. She listened silently as the other three started chatting about their plans for the day. None of them seemed to mind or even notice that she didn’t join the conversation, but managed to keep up a steady stream of chatter without her contribution . . . until the sound of banging drew them to a halt and made everyone glance toward the ceiling. The sound appeared to be coming from upstairs, a steady thump thump.

“What on earth could that be?” Lisa asked, her expression mystified as she continued to peer at the ceiling.

“Er . . . perhaps someone is hammering something,” Langley muttered, but the glance he exchanged with Daniel said something entirely different.

“Oh, that can’t be hammering. It sounds like a piece of furniture hitting the wall.” She frowned as the banging began to pick up in speed and stood up. “Perhaps I had best just go see what it is. If—”

“No, no. We have to go,” Langley said, sounding panicked as he got to his feet and caught Lisa by the arm. “We really need to start on our inquiries.”

“But—”

“Now,” Langley insisted, hurrying her toward the parlor door.

Suzette watched them go and then turned to Daniel, who was avoiding her eyes to concentrate on picking imaginary lint off his trousers.

“Perhaps I should go check then,” Suzette said, getting to her feet as the banging increased in speed.

Daniel glanced at her sharply, but something in her expression made him relax and shrug. “If you like.”

Suzette grimaced. She’d rather hoped he’d try to prevent it and give her the opportunity to kiss him. She was sure that was all it would take before this prim attitude of his crumbled. She didn’t understand the need for it anyway, they would marry soon. Besides, she would like their wedding night to be a pleasant memory in her mind, not the pain-wracked and blood-soaked event she’d read about. But for that to happen she had to ensure they got her maidenhead out of the way before they reached Gretna Green.