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uninjured foot. “Why’d you do it? Marriage is one thing, but a vicar’s wife! Christ, man, you might as well become a vicar yourself.”
    “Leave it, Percy.” David tried to ignore the prickling feeling that his friend was right. “I gave my word.”
    Percy laughed. “Consigned to marital drudgery. It won’t be the same without you.” He upended the bottle over his glass.
    “She’s a very good woman,” argued David. If Percy would just go away, he might still be at peace with his decision. Hannah could be the saving of him. Assuming he still wanted to be saved, which he thought he did. Probably.
    “Been the end of more men than any other sort.” Percy snickered. “No more women, no more drinking, no more cards or horse races or fights. To your imminent demise!” He lifted his glass as David glared at him. Suddenly Percy stopped, a delighted look on his face. He leaned forward, sloshing brandy onto his trousers.
    “You know who ought to marry her? His grace! No vice, no excess, no fun! They’re a perfect match!”
    “Stubble it,” growled David. The wicked urges were waging war against the honorable ones, with Percy’s help.
    “Right.” Percy subsided into his chair. “No doubt you’ll learn the life soon enough, give up all your friends and habits to sit at home and read sermons.” He produced a pair of cigars and offered one. “Last smoke, old boy?”
    David snatched it from his hand. “Go away, Percy. I’ve a wedding tomorrow.” Percy got to his feet with another snigger and staggered off to his room. David contemplated the cigar, and Percy’s words.
    All right, so he was beginning to regret his offer to Hannah. He still liked her very much, but he’d been seduced by the enforced solitude of the last few weeks. As long as he stayed here, her company might be enough, but he couldn’t live the rest of his life in Middleborough. The mention of a horse race or a cockfight made his blood race; he wasn’t cut out for the quiet country existence.
    But she needed someone to take care of her, someone who would appreciate her, and love Molly, and protect them both. David had wanted to be that person, but finally acknowledged he wasn’t ready to change that much. The prospect of reforming his life, which had so appealed to him two weeks ago, now looked fatally dull.
    But how could he get out of it now? He had given his word, the banns had been read, she was probably laying out her dress right now. She would be humiliated if he backed out now. Not that a gentleman
could
back out, of course.
    His eyes fell on the letter Percy had brought. His brother, damn it all, had found out where he was, although probably not what he was doing. Percy would have delighted in telling all about Marcus’s reaction to that news. David reached for the letter and broke the seal.
    It was a long indictment. There was barely a salutation before the recriminations began. David ignored them, skipping to the bottom of the page:
    Your utter lack of consideration astounds me. To disappear for weeks without word is bad enough, leaving your household to apply to mine for their wages and funds, but to ignore Celia’s birthday when you had most solemnly promised to attend is beyond contempt. She is a girl of seventeen, and strangely enough, dotes on you. I am disgusted by your disregard for her feelings. You have shown yourself irresponsible, reckless, and completely selfish. I will expect a full accounting of your activities and excuses when you return to London. My carriage will arrive tomorrow to convey you, since accomplishing the trip unaided seems beyond you.
    Exeter
    David put the letter aside with a grimace. Even to his own brother, he signed himself Exeter. Percy was half-right: his brother was Hannah’s equal in matters of responsibility. Not that Marcus would ever look at a woman like Hannah, for all that she was attractive and intelligent and filled to overflowing with common sense. Marcus would have a woman of