The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(85)

“I’d rather not,” Garrett replied. If the man thought it was odd, so be it.

“I insist upon it, my son,” the vicar replied in a firm, steady voice.

Garrett took another deep breath. Very well. He would uncover her face, but that hardly changed the fact that he refused to marry her.

He turned toward her and placed both hands at the bottom of the thick veil. He lifted it slowly, trying to decide how best to handle the next few awkward moments. Finally, he flipped the veil over her head in one swift motion and took a step back.

It wasn’t Isabella. It was … Jane.

She smiled at him brightly. “Thank you. It was quite hot under there, Upton. I was concerned my spectacles would fog.”

Garrett’s jaw dropped. “Jane, wha—”

“I forged the letter asking you to meet here today,” Jane whispered.

Garrett only had a moment to process that before the door on the side of the altar opened again and his mother, Daphne Swift, Owen Monroe, Rafe Cavendish, the Hunt brothers, Lucy, and Claringdon all came strolling out.

Jane nodded to the vicar. “Will you please give us a moment, Reverend?”

“Of course.” The vicar nodded and moved into the small group of people.

Jane fell to one knee. She clasped Garrett’s hand. “Would you do me the honor of marrying me, Upton?”

His face broke into a huge smile. He pulled her back up to her feet, still clasping her hands. “Are you jesting?”

“Of course not. I know Mrs. Langford has threatened to ruin my reputation but, as Lucy says, I can hardly be a scandal if I marry the man with whom I was scandalous.”

“But—”

“Mother and Father have already approved. They’re thrilled actually. They never thought I would marry.” She turned toward the door in the altar. “Come out and tell Mr. Upton how thoroughly you approve of him, Mama. I think he needs to hear it.”

The door opened and Sir Charles and Lady Lowndes came out. Jane’s mother had a wide smile on her face.

“We do. We truly do,” Lady Lowndes said.

“It’s quite true, young man,” Sir Charles agreed.

“I need to give Mrs. Bunbury a raise,” Lady Lowndes added.

Jane and Lucy exchanged sly glances just before Jane turned back to Garrett to hide her laughter. “You see? They’re thrilled,” she whispered. “I hate to please my mother quite this much, but I suppose there can be no help for it.”

He squeezed her hand. “Why’s that?”

“Because I’m desperately in love with you, Upton. I’m told that when one is desperately in love, one marries, regardless of the title one may acquire in so doing.”

“That is true!” Lucy called.

“You’re not supposed to be listening, Lucy,” Jane called back.

“Oh, quite right. I’m sorry. Carry on.”

Garrett swallowed the lump in his throat. He searched Jane’s face. This was a great deal to absorb, but he had no doubts. There was only one problem. “As much as I’d like to say yes, we don’t have a license.”

Jane nodded. “Yes, we do. Derek procured one for us last night. It’s extremely convenient to know a duke.”

Garrett turned toward Claringdon. “You got us a license?”

“Indeed,” came Claringdon’s reply. “Deuced awkward to wake the archbishop in the middle of the night, but he appreciated the coin I gave him. You owe me a drink the next time I see you at the club. Several drinks.”

Jane smiled a satisfied smile. “See, there? You have no more excuses.”

The door to the church opened then and Isabella Langford, wearing all black, came strolling down the center aisle.

She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her fingers along the opposite arm. “Well, well, well. Isn’t this a pretty sight?”

Garrett and Jane turned to face her.

“Isabella?” Garrett’s voice was grim.

“Boris has been following you, Garrett. He told me I might find you here this morning,” Isabella replied.

“Please leave,” Garrett demanded, pointing toward the doors.

“I don’t think so, my dear. I have something quite important to say.”

“Go ahead and say it,” Jane interjected, lifting her chin. “Then get out.”

Isabella’s eyebrows rose. “Aren’t you a brave one, Miss Lowndes?”

Jane straightened her spine. “I told you once, I’m not one to back down from a fight.”

Isabella shrugged one shoulder. “Regardless, I doubt very much you’ll like what I have to say.”

Garrett made a move toward the woman but Jane held his arm. “Let her speak.”

Isabella raised her nose in the air. “I’m here before God and man to declare that the groom has impregnated me.”

A shocked gasp went through the church. The vicar turned a white that matched his robes.

“That’s not true!” Garrett snapped.

“Yes it is. I know it’s inconvenient given your marriage plans, darling, but the church cannot possibly marry you, knowing this,” Isabella purred.

Jane’s hands were clenched into fists at her sides. “Isabella, get out of here. You’re a liar and we all know it. You don’t love Garrett and he doesn’t love you. Stop this madness.”