“A smuggler too,” Pieter added for good measure. “Stabbed a customs man down in Kent.”

She was simply making the best out of a bad situation. This man would surely realize that while there was no hope for himself, at least he could leave this world having provided for whatever family he left behind. Everyone had parents, or siblings, or lovers. Everyone had a price. She, of all people, knew that—she was buying herself a husband. At least this way there was no pretense. Besides, what was the point in having a fortune if you couldn’t use it to make yourself happy?

Pieter hammered impatiently on the door again.

“I know you disapprove,” Georgie muttered. “But Father would never have wanted me to marry a man who covets my purse more than my person. If you hadn’t rescued me the other evening, that’s precisely what would have happened. I would have had to wed Josiah to prevent a scandal. I refuse to give control of my life and my fortune to some idiot to mismanage. As a widow, I will be free.”

Pieter gave an eloquent sniff.

“You think me heartless,” Georgie said. “But can you think of another way?” At his frowning silence, she nodded. “No, me neither.”

Heavy footsteps and the jangle of keys finally heralded proof of human life inside. The door scraped open, and the low glare of a lantern illuminated a grotesquely large man in the doorway.

“Mr. Knollys?”

The man gave a brown-toothed grin as he recognized Pieter. “Welcome back, sir. Welcome back.” He craned his neck and raised the lantern, trying to catch a glimpse of Georgie. “You brought the lady, then?” His piggy eyes narrowed with curiosity within the folds of his flabby face.

“And the license.” Pieter tapped the pocket of his coat.

Knollys nodded and stepped back, allowing them entry. “The ordinary’s agreed to perform the service.” He turned and began shuffling down the narrow corridor, lantern raised. “Only one small problem.” He cocked his head back toward Pieter. “That cove the lady was to marry? Cheated the ’angman, ’e ’as.”

Pieter stopped abruptly, and Georgie bumped into his broad back.

“He’s dead?” Pieter exclaimed. “Then why are we here? You can damn well return that purse I paid you!”

The man’s belly undulated grotesquely as he laughed. It was not a kindly sound. “Now, now. Don’t you worry yerself none, me fine lad. That special license don’t have no names on it yet, do it? No. We’ve plenty more like ’im in this place. This way.”