"He loves you."

"He-" Austin turned and stared at her. "I beg your pardon?"

"He loves you. He's all but bursting with curiosity and concern about your decision to marry me."

"Concern? What makes you say that?"

He touched me. I felt it. "In spite of his teasing, it is obvious he's concerned that you're making the right decision. It was quite illuminating to watch the two of you together. I wonder if you realize how much you're alike."

Her words clearly surprised him. "Alike? Robert and I are nothing alike."

Oh, but you are. Inside. In your souls. Where it counts. Instead of arguing, she inclined her head. "Perhaps you're correct. After all, you are a serious man, and Robert is quite buoyant."

"I'm not certain buoyant is the word I'd use to describe him at the moment, but no matter. We've other things to discuss."

"Yes, we do. Austin, what on earth did you mean when you said the wedding would take place the day after tomorrow?"

"Just that. I spent most of the day contacting my solicitors and procuring a special license, which I shall have tomorrow afternoon. I suppose we could schedule the ceremony for tomorrow evening, but I thought you might want the extra day to make the necessary arrangements."

"But surely that's not enough time to plan a wedding!"

"My mother could arrange a coronation in half that time. Throw your aunt and Caroline into the mix, and we could be married before breakfast." Cupping her face between his hands, he regarded her with a frown. "I trust you're not changing your mind?"

A lump lodged in her throat. Changing her mind? Not bloody likely, as the Brits would say. "Of course not." His frown eased and she smiled at him. "But in deference to your mother's and Aunt Joanna's hearts, I agree we'd best plan on the day after tomorrow." She placed her hands on his forearms and felt the tension beneath her fingertips. "May I ask why you want the ceremony to take place so quickly?"

If she'd hoped romantic notions were behind his decision, his words dashed her. "A simple matter of logistics. I need to be in London by July first, and I plan to remain there for an undetermined period. By having the wedding take place before I leave, you can simply accompany me to London and I'll be saved from a journey back here or to Lady Penbroke's estate to fetch you."

She tried to hide her disappointment behind a smile. "Fetch me? You make me sound like a pair of slippers."

"Hardly slippers." His gaze settled on her mouth and her heart skipped a beat, hoping he was going to kiss her. Again she was disappointed for he stepped away from her and crossed to the brandy decanters. "I have several matters to take care of before we make our announcement."

Realizing he was dismissing her, Elizabeth nodded. "Of course. If you'll excuse me, I must ready myself for dinner." She walked to the door. Before closing it behind her, she looked back. Austin was regarding her with an intense, enigmatic expression that somehow chilled and heated her at the same time.

Chapter 10

Elizabeth had just finished dressing for dinner when a knock sounded on her bedchamber door. "Come in."