disguise will work best if you’re married rather than pretending.”
“But what about our futures? Nathaniel—”
“The marriage will be in-name only,” Mr. Cushman explained and her father quickly nodded. “At the end of the month of hiding, we’ll get an annulment.”
“Judge Baker has drawn up the terms,” her father interjected. “Mr. Cushman has already signed a legal and binding agreement that stipulates he’ll walk away from you without a making a single claim to your fortune, either now or in the future. And if he does so, he’ll be subject to prosecution.”
She glanced from one man to the next until her gaze came to rest on Mr. Cushman’s grave face. “I don’t understand why it’s necessary to get married when our acting married would suffice.”
Her father spoke before Mr. Cushman could. “The marriage certificate will allow Mr. Cushman to stay with you wherever you go, especially if anyone should question your liaison.”
“But who would question it?” she persisted. She wasn’t opposed to the idea of marrying him for a month. Not really. Not if they would get an annulment at the end and no one would ever be wiser to their ruse. Even so, she didn’t understand the proposal, or the fact that her father was so willing to go along with it considering all the implications a temporary marriage could have if anyone ever found out.
Weary lines had formed at the corners of her father’s eyes, and the angular lines in his aristocratic face were hardened with frustration. “Whoever is making these attempts on your life will be looking for a wealthy, single woman. Not someone who’s married. So if getting married temporarily will help save your life, then I’ll consider anything to protect you, Victoria.”
But wasn’t marriage sacred? How could she enter it lightly, even for her protection?
“Where we’re going,” Mr. Cushman added, “we have to be married or I could get myself and others into a great deal of trouble.”
“Then let’s find a different place to hide,” she suggested.
“We’ve considered every feasible option.” Her father sighed as though in defeat. “And Mr. Cushman’s hiding place is the best and safest of them all.”
She was quiet for a moment, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. She trusted her father’s judgment. He’d clearly agonized over how to keep her safe. If he thought a temporary marriage was the best plan, then she had to accept it. She reached out for her father’s hands and squeezed them.
Her father pressed a kiss against her fingers. “You’re the most precious gift your mother and I have. We don’t want to lose you.”
She smiled tenderly at him. “You know I’ll do whatever you and Mr. Cushman believe is in my best interest.”
Before she knew what was happening, Judge Baker had pushed a piece of paper and pen in front of her. She signed her name where he indicated. Then he passed the paper to Mr. Cushman who did the same. The judge pronounced them man and wife, and they were done. The whole affair took less than a minute, and she felt completely unchanged as though it had never happened.
Her father and the judge didn’t linger. Her father shook Mr. Cushman’s hand. “Take good care of her,” he said gravely. “If you break your promise to keep everything professional and proper, you’ll wish you’d never met me.”
“You have nothing to worry about, sir. She’s absolutely safe with me.”
Her father wrapped her into an embrace. “Be a good girl for Mr. Cushman.”
She mimicked Mr. Cushman’s confident assurance. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I mean it, Victoria. Promise you’ll behave, stay out of trouble, and not do anything that might compromise your reputation.”
She kissed his cheek. “I promise.”
By the time the sun had risen, Victoria and Mr. Cushman were well on their way into Buzzard’s Bay.
The boat was deserted except for the captain in the pilot house and a couple of crew
“But what about our futures? Nathaniel—”
“The marriage will be in-name only,” Mr. Cushman explained and her father quickly nodded. “At the end of the month of hiding, we’ll get an annulment.”
“Judge Baker has drawn up the terms,” her father interjected. “Mr. Cushman has already signed a legal and binding agreement that stipulates he’ll walk away from you without a making a single claim to your fortune, either now or in the future. And if he does so, he’ll be subject to prosecution.”
She glanced from one man to the next until her gaze came to rest on Mr. Cushman’s grave face. “I don’t understand why it’s necessary to get married when our acting married would suffice.”
Her father spoke before Mr. Cushman could. “The marriage certificate will allow Mr. Cushman to stay with you wherever you go, especially if anyone should question your liaison.”
“But who would question it?” she persisted. She wasn’t opposed to the idea of marrying him for a month. Not really. Not if they would get an annulment at the end and no one would ever be wiser to their ruse. Even so, she didn’t understand the proposal, or the fact that her father was so willing to go along with it considering all the implications a temporary marriage could have if anyone ever found out.
Weary lines had formed at the corners of her father’s eyes, and the angular lines in his aristocratic face were hardened with frustration. “Whoever is making these attempts on your life will be looking for a wealthy, single woman. Not someone who’s married. So if getting married temporarily will help save your life, then I’ll consider anything to protect you, Victoria.”
But wasn’t marriage sacred? How could she enter it lightly, even for her protection?
“Where we’re going,” Mr. Cushman added, “we have to be married or I could get myself and others into a great deal of trouble.”
“Then let’s find a different place to hide,” she suggested.
“We’ve considered every feasible option.” Her father sighed as though in defeat. “And Mr. Cushman’s hiding place is the best and safest of them all.”
She was quiet for a moment, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. She trusted her father’s judgment. He’d clearly agonized over how to keep her safe. If he thought a temporary marriage was the best plan, then she had to accept it. She reached out for her father’s hands and squeezed them.
Her father pressed a kiss against her fingers. “You’re the most precious gift your mother and I have. We don’t want to lose you.”
She smiled tenderly at him. “You know I’ll do whatever you and Mr. Cushman believe is in my best interest.”
Before she knew what was happening, Judge Baker had pushed a piece of paper and pen in front of her. She signed her name where he indicated. Then he passed the paper to Mr. Cushman who did the same. The judge pronounced them man and wife, and they were done. The whole affair took less than a minute, and she felt completely unchanged as though it had never happened.
Her father and the judge didn’t linger. Her father shook Mr. Cushman’s hand. “Take good care of her,” he said gravely. “If you break your promise to keep everything professional and proper, you’ll wish you’d never met me.”
“You have nothing to worry about, sir. She’s absolutely safe with me.”
Her father wrapped her into an embrace. “Be a good girl for Mr. Cushman.”
She mimicked Mr. Cushman’s confident assurance. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I mean it, Victoria. Promise you’ll behave, stay out of trouble, and not do anything that might compromise your reputation.”
She kissed his cheek. “I promise.”
By the time the sun had risen, Victoria and Mr. Cushman were well on their way into Buzzard’s Bay.
The boat was deserted except for the captain in the pilot house and a couple of crew
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