Chapter 1
Three weekslater,
Englishcountryside
Emma staredout the carriage window, refusing to acknowledge Lord Windham or her uncle Silas. She had to escape before they reached Windham’s Hampshire estate, but how? And more importantly, where would she go? Today marked their third day of travel since leaving London. By nightfall, they would reach Windham’s. A shiver trickled down her spine. She simply could not abide thebaron.
She glanced at the two men, sitting across from her grateful that neither seemed to be paying her any mind. Her skin crawled when she looked at Windham. There was no way she could ever allow herself to be wed to him. Escaping had to be her top priority whether or not she had somewhere to go. And how could Uncle Silas do this to her? His own flesh andblood!
Perhaps she should have runaway the first time they’d stopped for the night. She’d had the opportunity as Uncle Silas and Lord Windham had left her alone in a coaching inn room while they went off to drink. Neither man returned until the early morning hours. Alas, fear had frozen her—not today, for great change required courage and she was very much in need of achange.
She swallowed hard. “UncleSilas?”
“Yes.” He tipped his head up to meet hergaze.
Emma gave a practiced smile. “I am suddenly quite famished. When might westop?”
Uncle Silas turned to Lord Windham. “It is nearing luncheon. What sayyou?”
Emma fought the urge to avert her gaze as Lord Windham turned his cool brown eyes on her. “I am pleased you have finally decided to be reasonable, mydear.”
A smart retort caught in the back of her throat, schooling herself, she held it back. She wished to tell him that her request had nothing to do with being reasonable, or that starvation did that to a person, but it would not do to give rise to suspicion. Instead, she simply said, “Ihave.”
“Very well. We shall stop at the next coaching inn,” Lord Windham said, then knocked on the window with hiscane.
The coachman slid the glass pain open. “Yes, mylord?”
“Stop at the next coaching inn. While we eat, I wish for you to change out thehorses.”
“’Tis one just down the road. Won’t be but a fewminutes.”
Lord Windham uncrossed his short, beefy legs. “Very well, make haste.” He turned his lecherous eyes on Emma. “My pet requiressustenance.”
She shivered with revulsion as she ran her finger over the design carved in the molding of Windham’scoach.
The coachman closed the window and Emma felt the carriage gain speed. She settled back against the plush seat, her heart pounding. Pray, let her manage to get away, and grant her strength to tolerate Lord Windham until the chance to run presentsitself.
Before long, the carriage swayed as they turned into a drive, then lurched to stop in front of an inn. Emma braced herself with her hands to keep from tumbling from her leather and velvetseat.
“I will assist you out of the coach, my pet.” Lord Windhamwinked.
A forced grin tugged at her lips. “Thankyou.”
The footman placed the step before opening the carriage door. Emma did her best to appear relaxed as the men departed the coach. She inhaled a deep breath then let it out slow before moving to the carriage door and accepting Lord Windham’s arm. Disgust swept through her when he placed his hand over her gloved one where it rested uneasily at hiselbow.
Everything within her cried out for her to remove her hand from him. Her stomach churned and bile rose in her throat, but she fought past the uneasiness and forced herself to play the part. As they made their way up to the entrance, through the receiving area, and into the dining room, Emma continually scanned her surroundings looking for both an escape route and somewhere tohide.
There were several shadowed nooks and large drapery covered windows a person could conceal themselves in. More than a few large pieces of furniture one could hide beneath, and countless doors leading away from the common areas she could dartthrough.
But, the exterior of the inn seemed to offer the best avenues for escape. A thick copse of trees surrounded the building that she could most certainly get lost in, or she could find sanctuary in the stables concealed under a haystack or stashed away in the loft. Furthermore, she’d noticed several horses as well as carriages about that she could use to getaway.
Emma turned the possibilities over in her mind as Lord Windham led her through the dining room to a small roundtable.
He ran his meaty hand down her back, leaning in close. “You will be rewarded for your change of attitude.” His breath fanned her ear making her cringe, but at least he refrained from fondling her on thisoccasion.
Emma nodded, wishing for nothing more than to take her seat. She exhaled a breath she’d been holding as she accepted the chair he pulled out for her. Her skin revolted at Lord Windham’s touch. She doubted there was enough hot water in all of England to make her feel cleanagain.
“Good day.” An older woman, her grey hair pulled into a tight knot at the base of her neck approached their table. “What can I fetch forye?”
