CHAPTER 10
DIANA
Clifton reached across me to close the curtains, enshrouding the carriage in darkness again. He hadn’t returned to the opposite bench, and I was acutely aware of his presence next to me. We weren’t touching, but he radiated a warmth that made me very aware I wasn’t alone.
I started to wonder if I was dreaming. Perhaps I’d fallen asleep after the maid took away my dinner tray.
I’d lain across the bed to wait and was now having the most unbelievable dream of my life.
But if this was, in fact, a dream, would I be sitting here, trying to decide whether this was really happening?
Surely I’d be fully immersed in the fantasy, and Clifton would have declared his undying love for me.
To be sure, I pinched my side. The sharp zing of pain told me that this was, indeed, happening. I was actually fleeing to Gretna Green with the one man I would have chosen above all others to marry.
As the silence became uncomfortable, I searched for something, anything, to say. But my customary selection of appropriate subjects for small talk fell short in this situation.
We hadn’t gone far when the carriage began to slow. When we came to a stop, I opened the curtain a fraction. We were in front of another townhouse, though I couldn’t say what street we were on.
I looked at Clifton, who was watching me carefully. “Why have we stopped?”
“I couldn’t take you away from London with only the clothes on your back. I made arrangements for a trunk to be packed for you.”
Gratitude filled me that at least one of us had given thought to the practicalities of running away. I certainly hadn’t. “Should I stay here?”
He nodded. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
When the carriage door closed behind him, I sagged back against the cushioned seat and closed my eyes. Despite all evidence to the contrary, this couldn’t be real.
If I were a more noble person, I’d speak to Clifton when he returned and explain that he was overreacting. My life wasn’t in danger. I’d already suspected that my uncle was hoping to keep me unwed so that he could control my fortune, but he wouldn’t harm me.
Perhaps Clifton could advise me on how to proceed. Mother had mentioned that after father died, arrangements had already been in place for someone to manage the factories. And I knew they had a solicitor who oversaw all the legal matters. My uncle was now the person who spoke to those men.
I frowned as I contemplated what would happen when I turned twenty-one.
I didn’t even know with whom I should be speaking, and my uncle would never divulge their names.
But Clifton could intercede on my behalf.
He had connections and would know how to go about finding that information. He didn’t have to marry me.
A pang filled me at the thought. It was extremely selfish, but I didn’t want to give him up.
Even when he was younger, Clifton had always seemed larger than life.
And my instincts told me that I could trust him above all others.
He wouldn’t hurt me. Despite the fact ours wasn’t a love match, I still wanted it.
The door swung open, and for a moment, I was afraid my uncle would be standing there. Instead, Clifton was already bending to unfold the carriage step.
“Moreland’s wife wants to speak with you before we start the trip,” he said.
I let out a soft breath and nodded, thankful that he’d asked Victoria Moreland for assistance instead of Caroline. I felt guilty enough that she’d already been dragged into this mess the day after her wedding.
I pulled up the hood of my cloak before taking his hand and stepping down from the carriage. The door to the townhouse was already open, the butler standing at attention. Clifton turned me to the left, into the drawing room.
Victoria was already standing there, her husband by her side. We knew each other, but not well.
I lowered my hood. “My apologies for putting you to so much trouble.”
“Nonsense,” she said, threading her arm through mine. “Come with me for a moment. We should talk first.”
I allowed her to lead me from the room and down the hall into what was clearly her husband’s study.
She closed the door behind us and turned to face me. A small vee formed between her brows. “I’m not sure what’s happening here.”
I laughed. “Neither am I, not really, but Clifton seems to think my life is in danger.” I rolled my eyes.
Victoria clasped my hands and squeezed them. “Diana, if Clifton is worried and if the others are involved, I would take what they have to say very seriously.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t believe that. But am I being selfish for taking advantage of him?”
She dropped my hands and smiled at me. “I was in a similar situation not that long ago with Moreland. He took care of me when my father wanted to marry me to a horrible man. I’ll tell you the whole story later when we have more time.
But despite the reputations that the Legends have for being carefree and loose with their morals, they’re honorable men.
They don’t dally with innocents just for fun.
For whatever reason, they believe this to be true.
And Clifton wanted to be the one to keep you safe. Remember that.”
A shiver went through me. “His mother and my mother were friends, and he feels a responsibility because of that connection.”
“Perhaps,” Victoria said, “but if I didn’t like you and if Caroline wasn’t such a good judge of character, I’d suggest my brother send you somewhere to keep you safe.”
Victoria’s brother was Rexford, the owner of Kings and the head of the Legends.
“Was that a possibility?” I asked.
Victoria nodded. “Yes, but Clifton wanted to marry you to ensure you were kept safe.”
Something about the way she was looking at me sparked a strange feeling inside me, but I pushed it aside.
It was too much like hope, and I had seen too much loss in my life in the last few years to allow myself to foolishly hope that my marriage with Clifton would ever be anything other than a practical union.
“Thank you for telling me this.”
She nodded. “Before you leave, I must ask if you’re sure you want to do this?”
I didn’t hesitate. “I have no doubt.”
Victoria grinned. “Excellent. I oversaw the packing of the trunk. You and I have a similar coloring, so I made sure the dresses would complement your skin tone.” She leaned a little closer.
“And you should start loosening your hairstyle. You no longer need to scrape it back into that severe bun. You’re not an elderly spinster.
You’re about to become the Countess of Clifton. ”
Those words echoed in my head as I followed her to the drawing room and allowed Clifton to escort me back to the carriage.
Everything was happening so quickly. When I’d woken that morning, I was expecting today to be yet another disappointing birthday.
But instead, my entire life had changed. I was eloping with the Earl of Clifton.
I kept peeking at him as we stepped into the carriage. The trunk had already been loaded, which meant we would be speeding away within moments.
“Do you think my uncle will give chase?”
Clifton nodded. “He would be a fool not to.”
I thought about that and winced. “They won’t notice my absence until tomorrow. In fact, I rarely see Lord Tuttleford. He usually arrives late at night and leaves early in the morning. So he won’t even know I’m gone until Aunt Matilda comes down at noon.”
“Will the servants realize you’ve disappeared?”
I shook my head. “I usually dress myself in the morning. And it’s not unheard of for me not to ask for breakfast. I hate bothering the staff when my aunt is still in bed.”
He frowned at that. “We’re going to drive through the night and put some distance between us before we need to change horses. Go to sleep, Diana.”
I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to thank him, but despite Victoria’s assurances, I couldn’t help thinking I was taking advantage of him.
I made a silent vow not to be a burden to him in our marriage.
I would embrace the freedom that came with being his countess, but I wouldn’t give him reason to regret his choice.
“Very well, my lord.”
I leaned into the corner of the seat cushion, settling against the wall of the carriage. The vehicle was well-sprung, cushioning the sway and bumps of the carriage. It took some time before I fell asleep, but when I did, it was with a smile on my face.