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"Naturally. I intend to marry the most beautiful woman in England, and I see no reason she should not look magnificent while doing so."

She glanced toward the balcony. "But I cannot possibly climb through the window in my finest dress."

George looked affronted. "My dear girl, have you taken leave of your senses?"

Cordelia blinked. "You were the one who climbed up here!"

"Yes, and I have already established that the experience nearly proved fatal. I know you have a regrettable fondness for reckless adventures, but I am not risking your pretty neck by having you descend a trellis in the middle of the night."

"Then how are we to leave?"

"Through the front door, of course."

She stared at him. "The front door?"

"Indeed."

"But George, what if someone sees us?"

"Then I shall dispatch them."

"Dispatch them?"

"Politely, if circumstances permit."

Cordelia burst into laughter.

He grinned, looking exceedingly pleased with himself.

"Now, hurry along, sweetheart. We have a journey ahead of us."

Still laughing, Cordelia hurried toward her wardrobe.

She selected a beautiful traveling gown, her fingers trembling with excitement as she laid it across the bed. George, meanwhile, had located her valise and was busily filling it with a selection of garments he appeared to consider sufficient for their journey.

She glanced at his efforts while fastening her gown.

"George, surely I shall need more than that."

He held up a pair of stockings, examined them thoughtfully, and added them to the valise.

"I shall buy you hundreds of gowns in the latest fashion."

"Hundreds?"

"Thousands, if you wish."

"I have no wish to bankrupt you."

"My sweet, I am prepared to be ruined by your extravagance."

Cordelia laughed again, scarcely able to believe that after so much unhappiness, she could feel such joy.

By the time she was dressed, George had closed her valise and was standing beside the door, looking every inch the elegant gentleman rather than the rogue who had just climbed the side of her parents' house.

He offered his hand. "Are you ready, my love?"

Cordelia looked around her bedchamber.