Adam cleared his throat. He looked almost boyish, one dark curl falling over his forehead. “And on the ride over here, your sister explained to me that your marriage isn’t exactly one you wanted. Forgive me for not asking you more questions, Cecelia. I didn’t know.”
“No, Adam, no. I should have explained it to you. Only I felt as if you’d done so much for me already and I had no right to ask more of you by hearing about my troubles.”
“It doesn’t matter. Now that I know, and now that that we’ve got the business part out of the way, there’s something else I want to ask you.”
Cece held her breath. “Yes?”
Adam fell to one knee. “Will you marry me, Miss Cecelia Harcourt?”
Cece fell to her knees, too, and kissed him. “Yes, Mr. Adam Hunt. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Aunt Selene stomped over and wrenched Cece up by the arm. “Have you lost your mind? You’re in the middle of a wedding to your cousin.”
“Yes, and thank goodness it didn’t finish,” Mary said, giving her aunt a spirited nod.
“I’ll thank you to keep your mouth shut, young lady,” Aunt Selene said, pointing a crooked finger at the girl.
Adam stood and pulled Cece up beside him. He addressed his words to Uncle Herbert, who was making his way as quickly as his size would allow down the aisle to join the melee. “How much do you want for the house?”
“The house?” Uncle Herbert’s jowls shook, and he clutched at his lapels. “What in heaven’s name do you mean?”
“The house you’re living in. Your late sister and brother-in-law’s house? I understand it’s for sale. How much do you want for it?”
“You’re mad!” Uncle Herbert responded.
“Send a bill around to the Duke of Claringdon’s house this afternoon. I’ll ensure you have a bank draft by the end of the day. And don’t even think of overcharging me. I know what the house is worth, and it seems to me that now that you’re losing out on your niece’s dowry, you’ll need every penny you can get. Oh, and I’ve spoken with Viscount Harewood. He sees no reason why I should not be named Mary’s guardian as soon as my wedding to Cecelia has taken place. In the meantime, he’s appointed my brother as her guardian. You need see to her no longer.”
Herbert glared at him, but the look in his eye told Cece that he understood the truth behind Adam’s words. “Fine. You can take the sick little brat. Let’s go, Percy!” he called.
Percy lumbered off the altar to follow his indignant parents. “Those fools in the carriage shouldn’t have missed you!” he sneered as he passed Cece.
“What did you say?” Cece spun around and stared at her cousin in horror.
Percy’s beady eyes glittered with hate. “I said those fools shouldn’t have missed you. I paid them a pretty penny to get rid of you, but they were so stupid they did it on the wrong date. The fifteenth of August, I told ’em. Not the fifteenth of July!”
“You were responsible for that coach hitting me?” Cece still couldn’t believe the words.
“You don’t think I wanted to actually be married to you, did you? If it had gone as planned, you’d be dead after the wedding, however. Not before. And we’d have your stupid dowry.”
“Shut your mouth, Percy,” Aunt Selene thundered in an ominous voice.
Adam turned around and punched Percy in the face so hard, the huge man stumbled backward and fell. He laid on the floor, clutching his bleeding mouth and sobbing.
Adam’s shirt had come out of his breeches, he was breathing heavily, and he had a murderous look in his eye. He stood over Percy and clenched his teeth as he spoke. “By God, if you ever come around my wife or my family again, I’ll kill you myself, you vermin. Do you understand?”
Percy scrambled to his feet, still bleeding and crying. Now his nose was running, too. “Yes. Yes. Yes,” he repeated in a high-pitched squeal as he turned and lumbered away.
As the three left the church, Percy could be heard muttering, “We’re still having the breakfast, aren’t we?”
Adam turned back to Cece. “I took the liberty of asking my brother to procure a special license from the archbishop. We can be married tomorrow if you’ll have me.”
Cece squeezed his hand. “Of course I’ll have you, Adam. Of course I will.”
“And I’ve already assured your sister that she’ll live with us. Your aunt and uncle can use the funds they receive in sale of the property to live elsewhere.”
Mary beamed. “Oh, I’m so glad. But what about Esme? You don’t mind rabbits, do you, Mr. Hunt?”