CHAPTER 15
CLIFTON
Our kiss put the last of my concerns to rest—it would be no hardship to marry Diana Atherton. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’d found it difficult to leave her and even now was anxious to return to her side.
It seemed that my desire to protect her went beyond a sense of duty to my mother.
She’d valued her friendship with Lady Atherton above all others, and I knew mother worried about Diana’s welfare.
Seeing Diana so greatly diminished under the Tuttlefords’ care showed me she’d been correct to worry.
And after overhearing the baron’s threat, I felt responsible for ensuring her safety.
I would be lying if I didn’t admit a part of me had been concerned my feelings for her would be sisterly.
But then she’d let down her hair, and desire had hit me.
I couldn’t explain why since heaven knew I’d seen many women in all manner of undress.
It was a surprise to see her wild, untamed hair, the fiery threads hidden within the tresses like specks of flame dancing throughout the brown, and the green that came out at times in her eyes, giving her the appearance of a vixen.
The sight had called to something within me.
Yet this was still the same young woman who’d been so buttoned up and tightly held together.
When she’d woken with her hair a wild mass, I’d wanted to do the same thing to the rest of her.
To unravel the woman hidden beneath her composed exterior.
Ruffle her up. And when we’d finally kissed, instead of cold detachment, a spark had sprung to life within me.
I was shocked to find that the woman herself had a wildness concealed within her prim exterior.
I hadn’t wanted to stop at merely kissing.
It was now more important than ever that I spirit her away to Scotland as soon as possible.
After checking with the stables to ensure everything was ready for our escape north, I headed back inside.
I was speaking to a maid about having a quick luncheon brought to our room when the young man I’d spoken to earlier pulled me aside.
“Someone has just arrived, my lord. He claims to be looking for his niece.”
Everything within me tensed. “What did you tell him?”
“When he gave me your name, I told him that your carriage was last seen heading west earlier this morning.”
I closed my eyes with relief. “Did he leave?”
He nodded. “Yes, and he was in quite a hurry.”
I gave him my thanks and intercepted the maid who was bringing up the small meal that I’d been able to procure. It was nothing fancy, just some bread, meats and cheese, and something to drink. I took the tray from her and climbed the stairs to our room.
At my knock, there was no answer. I kept my voice low. “It’s Clifton.”
After a moment, I heard footsteps, and the door opened.
My gaze swept over Diana. She was now wearing a dark-blue traveling gown. Her hair was up again, but this time it was in a loose chignon.
I barely resisted the urge to run my fingers through it and send her locks tumbling back down. “Your uncle was just here,” I said.
She took a step back, her hands flying to her mouth as I locked the door behind me.
“Is he downstairs?”
I shook my head. “He went after my carriage, but we must leave quickly. In a few hours when he catches up to it and realizes his mistake, he’ll return.”
“I will only be a moment,” she said. Her practicality was back in full force as she crossed to where the portmanteau was resting on the bed. She tossed in the clothing she’d changed out of and closed it.
“I brought some food for us to eat. Nothing fancy.”
She looked at the tray, a small vee forming between her eyes. “Can we take it with us and eat on the way?”
I nodded. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’m ready now.”
When we stepped into the hallway, I spotted a maid coming out of one of the rooms. I asked her to see to it that our lunch was boxed up and taken out to the stables.
Her eyes widened when I handed her a few coins. “Yes, my lord. Right away,” she said with a curtsy before rushing into our room.
Diana shook her head. “You are going to run out of money.”
I smiled. Clearly, she hadn’t seen the money I’d tucked into the bottom of the portmanteau.
“Have no fear. I came well prepared for this trip.”
We made our way down the back stairs of the inn and outside. Diana was wearing her cloak again with the hood up. We moved to the side of the inn, and I scanned the area between us and the stables to make sure her uncle hadn’t already doubled back.
When I could see no sign of him, I took Diana’s hand, and we hurried to the stables. The post chaise and postillion were waiting for us. I’d already paid them handsomely on my earlier trip outside to move quickly.
I helped Diana into the small carriage and followed, bringing the portmanteau inside with us. It would save a few minutes not to wait while it was strapped to the outside of the carriage. I also spied the maid, who was rushing across the yard to bring us our meal.
After accepting the small basket of food, we were off.
We wouldn’t stop again for the remainder of the trip except to change horses at the posting inns along the way.
Since we weren’t the first, and certainly wouldn’t be the last, couple to make a desperate flight from London to Gretna Green, it shouldn’t be a difficult journey.
Diana and I passed the time sharing tales about our pasts.
Mostly, she recounted memories about those few times I’d been home from Eton when she and her mother visited.
I’d caught her trying to follow me from time to time, but I hadn’t been aware of just how often that had happened.
Or that she’d discovered all the secret places where I liked to hide to avoid the steward who insisted on keeping me abreast of all the happenings around the estate.
As an adolescent, I’d found his constant nattering annoying.
When Diana finally fell asleep against the opposite corner of the carriage, I gathered her gently against my side, enjoying the way she nestled into me.
Staring down at her, I couldn’t help but wonder what our future would hold.
But with each passing mile, I found myself more convinced that fate had chosen well for me.
Kendrick and Moreland would be insufferable when I told them.