The Inconvenient Widow: Chapter 1, Part 14

Knocking on the door to Lucian’s room, he was greeted by the grim faced doctor with one eyebrow raised. The older gentleman stepped into the hallway to speak with him.

“He won’t make it through the night at this rate,” the doctor bleakly replied in hushed tones.

“He keeps demanding I locate a woman for him to marry. We must discover a way to put his mind at ease.”

“There is a woman of good birth downstairs. I have been begging her to come and see him, but she desires your permission.”

“Lord Berkshire, if she is a woman of any birth, she will not accept his proposition.”

“Only a few years ago all marriages were arranged by parents, and frequently brides did not meet their husbands until their wedding nights. What is wrong with such a proposition as this? After all, if they do not suit, they will not have long to endure each other’s company.”

“Where will you find a marriage license at this hour, so it will be recognized and not in vain? It would be a shame to put the poor girl through such an ordeal only for her to discover she received nothing out of it.”

“I do not fear the highwaymen. I can make it to the bishop and back before first light. If old Bailey sends for a clergymen and my solicitor, we can convene here on the morrow.”

“The woman will have fled your madness by then if she has an ounce of nobility in her. Still, if she is willing enough to meet him and spend a few minutes by his side, it may at least give him a peaceful death. I shall fetch her.” With that, the doctor continued down the stairs.

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