“Your wedding to whom? And how have you managed to plan a wedding without even mentioning it to me or my catching wind of it?” she asked grimly.

“Ah, well, it’s not exactly planned as such,” he said uncomfortably. “I mean it is, but it’s not a big do. We are going to Gretna Green, and—”

“Gretna Green!” she squawked, and then pressing one hand to her chest, gasped, “She is with child.”

“No, of course she’s not,” Daniel said with irritation.

“Then why the rush to Gretna Green?” Lady Woodrow asked at once.

Daniel shook his head helplessly. “It is complicated, Mother.”

She eyed him narrowly. “Then perhaps you should take your time explaining it to me.”

Daniel glanced away, and then said, “Her name is Suzette, and she—well, you will like her. She is much like you, strong and smart and sweet but with a temper. Suzette is nothing like the other women of the ton,” he said with a smile. “She never bites her tongue for politeness’s sake. She blurts out what she’s feeling and you always know where you stand with her. She does not smile to your face and then gossip and criticize you behind her fan.”

“I see,” she said softly. “This Suzette sounds special.”

“She is,” he assured her solemnly. “And I hope the two of you grow to be very good friends. She grew up in the country with just her sisters and her father. Her mother died when she was quite young and she hasn’t had a mother’s guidance, so she may not be as well trained at some household things as most ladies, but that doesn’t matter. It would be nice if you could like her for me.”

“I’m sure we shall be grand friends,” Lady Woodrow said soothingly.

Daniel nodded and then tried to sit up, but she pushed firmly on his shoulders to keep him down.

“Stay put, son. You have been shot,” she said sternly.

Daniel shook his head. “I have to get back. They are all waiting for me at the inn.”

“They?” she asked.

“Suzette, her sisters, their father, Richard and a fellow named Robert Langley. They are waiting for me to bring you back. They will be worried.” He frowned and glanced around. “What time is it? I do not even know how long I have been gone. They may already be looking for me.”

“Why ever did you not bring them all with you?” she asked, still trying to push him flat on the bed.

“Oh, er . . . well,” Daniel sighed, and sank back on the bed to admit, “Suzette thinks I am marrying her for her dower.”

Lady Woodrow blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“I said—”

“I heard what you said,” she snapped, interrupting him. “Now, please explain exactly why the poor young girl thinks you would marry her for her dower.”