“All the time?”
“Not in summer. Everyone escapes to the country during the summer. I was thinking of purchasing a house there. One of our own where we wouldn’t have to live with family members.”
“London does make sense. Isn’t your publisher there?”
“Yes. I thought living there would help tremendously. I would be close by for meetings and the like.”
“I think that’s a splendid idea,” she replied.
“I’ve been thinking about it for some time. I need to invest some of the money I’ve earned through my books.”
She said nothing. It was as though she was deep in thought. Finally, she took his hand. “We could leave here and go directly to London. Once we’ve finished conducting business, we could go to Kent. I don’t think anyone would mind since we’ve just married.”
“You’re right.”
She leaned against him, placing her head on his shoulder. He held her like that until she fell asleep. She soothed him. Just to hear her speak made his body lose some of its tensions. Though they were still technically strangers, he felt more at ease with her close by. They were slowly getting used to each other, what they liked and disliked. His eyes heavy, he gave in and fell asleep next to his bride.
*
Loud, demanding knockingon the door the following morning startled both Charles and Cathryn. Walking over to the door, he asked who was on the other side. He heard the familiar voice of his valet, Frazier, and immediately let him in.
“Frazier, why are you here? Is everything okay?” Charles asked.
“Are you ready to leave?”
“What are you about, man?”
Frazier went and gathered the luggage. “I’ve rented a carriage. I’ll tell you all about it once we’re on our way, but we must go now.”
The pair followed his valet down the stairs to the carriages outside. He walked to one and as they neared, a young man opened the door. Cathryn stepped in while Charles followed. For a rental carriage, it was quite nice. The curtains were drawn, making it dark inside.
Frazier popped in and closed the door. He tapped on the roof and the carriage jerked forward. “I’m sorry to be so mysterious, but your brother sent me.”
“Why would His Grace do so?” Cathryn asked. She was sitting next to Charles and their eyes met for a second as they waited for his valet to tell them more.
“Your parents are on their way to Gretna Green. They have the notion they can stop your wedding from happening.”
“They’re a little late for that,” Cathryn replied, shaking her head.
“They want the marriage annulled in spite of His Grace telling them it wasn’t going to be possible.”
“Where are we going?” Charles asked.
“To York, but not to the main house. His Grace sent word to prepare the dowager summer house. It’s not near the house and can’t be seen unless you’re looking for it.”
“Do you really think they’ll go to York?” Cathryn asked.
“Yes. It is my feeling they’ll spend the night in Gretna Green or somewhere on the road.”
“Did my brother send correspondence with you?”
Frazier nodded, pulling a hamper from underneath his seat. He opened the lid and took an envelope sealed with the duke’s insignia and passed it to Charles.
He read the letter, which was short, and passed it to Cathryn who read it with great care. Shaking her head, she read through it a second time before setting it on the seat beside her.
In the meantime, the valet had the hamper closer to them before he tapped the top of the carriage to have the coach stop. “I’m going to ride up top and get some fresh air. Keep the curtains closed until we’re farther down the road.” Frazier was out of the carriage quickly and they began their journey to York again.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.” She glanced into the hamper and pulled out a loaf of bread. “There’s this and butter and some marmalade. Also a couple of scones and cheese. What would you like?”
