Knowing she might have but a few moments before her aunt caught up with her, Merrie forged past the groups of well-dressed patrons toward one of the alcoves along the sides of the high-ceilinged lobby. Her grip on Mr. Kipler’s elbow remained firm. Years of living in hotels with her parents gave her confidence that she was leading him to an area where they could talk without interruption.
“Mrs. Bentley. This is most irregular. I told your husband I’d be waiting at the door. He’ll never find me in here.” He waved his hand to encompass the plush sitting area where she’d paused.
Her heart thudded. She glanced over her shoulder to be sure her aunt wasn’t following. When she didn’t spot a round woman dressed in black silk, she released her hold on the editor’s arm. Digging into her reticule, she withdrew his most recent letter and handed the missive to him.
After scanning the words, he frowned at her. “This is addressed to your husband. He’s the person I invited to dine with me tonight.”
“You offered a weekly column with the magazine, isn’t that correct?” Merrie held her breath.
“Of course.”
“And you’re happy about the reception the articles have received?”
He assumed a haughty expression. “Yes! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll return to the entrance and hope I haven’t missed your husband’s arrival.”
She reached into her reticule again and passed him a handful of pages. “Please look these over.”
With the air of one indulging a child, he unfolded the papers and read the top sheet, then turned to the next page. His eyes flicked from side to side as he read her latest article. After a moment, he met her gaze. “Fine work. Your husband has a way of reaching out to the ladies. I’ll be happy to take this with me and save him the trouble of using the post.”
She clenched her fingers together and summoned all the courage she possessed. With her chin high, she said, “I don’t have a husband.”
“Nonsense. I met him in July.” A flicker of worry crossed his face. “Are you . . . quite all right, young lady? Would you like me to summon a doctor?” He took a step toward the bustling lobby.
“Thank you, no. There’s nothing wrong with me.” She met his gaze without flinching. “I wrote that, Mr. Kipler. I’ve written everything that you’ve published by Mr. Bentley.”
She walked to a round table that held a bouquet of silken plumes. Producing a pencil and a scrap of paper from her reticule, she wrote “Shared Gifts in a Godly Marriage” on the page, then handed the article’s title to him. “Compare the handwriting, if you wish. You’ll see they’re identical.”
He stared at her. Sounds of laughter and conversation from the lobby rolled over the silence in the alcove. After a moment, the scrap of paper fluttered to the floor.
“By thunder. Tricked by a slip of a girl.” He tugged at his beard. “Why didn’t you come right out and say who you were at the beginning?”
She wished she’d taken her aunt’s advice to soften her appearance. If she ever needed charm, it was now.
“I didn’t set out to deceive you, sir. I always sign my name ‘M. M. Bentley.’ When you assumed I was a man, I was afraid you wouldn’t accept my work if you knew the truth.” She rubbed the side of her head, heedless of the hairpins that loosened under her touch. “I’m truly sorry. I never dreamed the pretense would go this far. If you don’t wish to publish any more articles on marriage from an unmarried lady, I’ll understand.”
A smile cracked his frozen features. “Nonsense, I—”
“Am I late, dear?” Colin dashed into the alcove, dressed in a black frock coat and gray striped trousers. A starched black cravat was tied in a fashionable bow beneath the high collar of his white shirt.
Merrie’s heart threatened to stop beating. She took several steps backward and dropped onto a velvet-upholstered settee. “What are you doing in this hotel?”
“Keeping my appointment with Mr. Kipler. It was good of you to entertain him while he waited.”
He’d come here. To help her.
Mr. Kipler looked thunderstruck. “Mr. . . . Bentley?” He glanced at Merrie. “But she—”
She rose, laying her hand on Colin’s arm. “I told Mr. Kipler the truth. There is no Mr. Bentley.” Turning, she included the editor in her gaze. “This is Mr. Thackery, sir. He’s not to blame for any of this. I persuaded him to masquerade as my husband against his better judgment.”
Colin slipped his arm around her waist. “I’d like to end the masquerade my way, Miss Marigold Montgomery Bentley. Would you be good enough to excuse us, Mr. Kipler?”
“Certainly.” She heard the editor murmur, “Marigold Montgomery? No wonder . . .” as he slipped into the lobby.
After he left, Colin led her to the settee, then sat beside her. “You told him the truth.” His eyes shone with an emotion she couldn’t identify. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you, but I confessed so I could be proud of myself.” His nearness sent tingles of warmth coursing over her. “How . . . how did you know about this meeting?”
His cheeks flushed. “I have a confession to make also. I read Mr. Kipler’s letter when you left the music room on Monday.” He clasped her hand in both of his. “I love you, Merrie. I couldn’t let you face him alone.”
Now she recognized the emotion in his eyes. Love. Colin loved her.
“In spite of our differences?” She held her breath while she waited for his answer.
“Choice outweighs convention—isn’t that what you implied in your ‘Foundation for a Godly Marriage’ article?”
“So you paid attention.” She quirked her lips in a teasing smile.
“To every word. It just took me awhile to believe you meant what you said.”
“I always mean what I say.”
“Then answer this.” He drew her to her feet and pulled her close. “Will you be my wife?”
Nestling into his arms, she whispered, “Yes.”
He lifted her chin with his thumb. “Fortissimo, please.”
“Yes!”
He dipped his handsome face toward her as she lifted her lips to meet his. After a long, pulse-pounding kiss, she leaned back in his arms.
“After someone else plays the ‘Wedding March’ for us, will you give me more lessons?”
“For a lifetime. If you don’t mind practicing in humbler surroundings.”
“Humble surroundings don’t matter. I love you. I’ll be happy wherever we live.” With a blissful sigh, she snuggled closer and pulled his head down for another kiss.