Julia Quinn
On The Way To The Wedding
The eighth book in the Bridgerton series, 2006
For Lyssa Keusch.
Because you’re my editor.
Because you’re my friend.
And also for Paul.
Just because.
Bridgerton Family Tree
***
Prologue
London, not far from St. George’s, Hanover Square Summer, 1827
His lungs were on fire.
Gregory Bridgerton was running. Through the streets of London, oblivious to the curious stares of onlookers, he was running.
There was a strange, powerful rhythm to his movements-one two three four, one two three four-that pushed him along, propelling him forward even as his mind remained focused on one thing and one thing only.
The church.
He had to get to the church.
He had to stop the wedding.
How long had he been running? One minute? Five? He couldn’t know, couldn’t concentrate on anything but his destination.
The church. He had to get to the church.
It had started at eleven. This thing. This ceremony. This thing that should never have happened. But she’d done it anyway. And he had to stop it. He had to stop her. He didn’t know how, and he certainly didn’t know why, but she was doing it, and it was wrong.
She had to know that it was wrong.
She was his. They belonged together. She knew that. God damn it all, she knew that.