The Impetuous Duchess — Barbara Cartland

The Duke of Warminster was uncontrollably angry. First Jabina, the silly young twit had lied her way into his carriage--forcing him to drive halfway across Scotland with her. Then, when the carriage overturned and he was injured, she lied again and told the Scottish couple who gave them shelter that she and the Duke were married.

Their hostess saw through the story in a minute. With a twinkle in her eye she sought to acquaint the Duke and his "bride" with an odd statute of Scottish law making anyone who uttered a declaration of marriage before witnesses legally wed. The Duke was speechless. Could it be that he and this mindless little fool were actually married?