Her blood ran cold for a second, before she recalled his barely concealed animosity at the exhibition, as well as his own self-imposed rules. Lord Rotherby was undoubtedly a rake and a scoundrel, but running off with a debutante just didn’t fit.
‘You have come. I had begun to wonder,’ he said with a chuckle, striding forwards to catch her up and plant a warm kiss on her lips.
For a second, Sophie gasped in complete shock, a multitude of feelings coursing her veins. She’d never been kissed in such a way before, and the sensation was both scandalous and something else she didn’t even want to begin to identify. She inhaled raggedly and willed her thumping heart to slow. Of course he would have expectations if he was expecting a lady-companion– the question was how to manage them while convincing him to leave.
Briefly,Harriet’s advice about notorious rake reached through her thoughts. She flushed and pulled her cloak hood forwards, more convinced than ever that she was doing Aurelia the biggest favour of her life.
‘You wouldn’t wish me to appear too eager, my lord,’ she said, in her best attempt at a coquettish tone.
He laughed as he slid his arm around her, and began walking towards the chaise, while she tried not to tense every muscle she possessed. His warm proximity was most disconcerting, yet he seemed much too distracted to notice anything at all, which for some reason irritated Sophie intensely.
‘Well, not here at any rate,’ he replied in a tone that made her itch to box his ears. ‘But let us not delay, my love,’ he continued in the next breath, ‘for I am keen to be away and happy I have provided everything for your comfort, as I promised. Let me show you; it’s all waiting inside the coach.’
‘Thank you for your effort, my Lord,’ she replied, clenching her teeth, ‘however, what I actually came to say is that I cannot?—’
‘Thunder an’ turf!’ he cursed suddenly, making Sophie’s ears redden. ‘We appear to have company, so we really must away this instant. There is no time to be lost!’
With a lurch, she followed the direction of his gaze to spy a hazy figure at the bottom of the street, hurrying towards them. Instantly, she knew it to be Aurelia, and her hopeful plan suddenly seemed the most flawed of any she’d ever made. She gritted her teeth, knowing Aurelia’s appearance jeopardised everything, and she had just seconds to make a decision. There was no way she could explain everything to Lord Rotherby in so short an amount of time, and a public scene with Aurelia would be disastrous! As far as she could see, she had but one option left.
Swiftly, she turned and climbed into the chaise, telling herself she would share her identity and ask to be set down as soon as they were clear of Mayfair. Lord Rotherby was many things, but a kidnapper he certainly was not.
‘We will talk, my love,’ he promised in a rush, ‘just not here. I look forward to joining you properly in Dover, when our real adventure will begin!’
Then he slammed the door shut and strode towards the front of the chaise.
For a second, Sophie could only stare at the dark leather interior of the door. How could she divulge her identity, and demand to be set down, if he wasn’t travelling inside the chaise with her? Her answer was a muffled shout, before the whole equipage lurched forwards into the night.
Instantly her numb limbs flushed with life and, seizing the door handle, she forced it open, only to find the street flying past at such a rattle-pace she could barely close it again. Then she turned and started banging on the solid wood frame, shouting for the chaise to stop. But whether it was the luxurious interior muffling the sound, or the noise of the racing wheels over the cobblestones, her appeal went unheeded.
Finally, she sank down against the seat, cold fear swirling, as the enormity of her situation began to materialise. So much for avoiding scandal! She’d done nothing but court it since coming to London, and for what good reason?
To show a rake she was more worldly than she actually was?
To show a debutante she was right about a scoundrel?
What had she actually achieved, except to prove herself to be the most naïve debutante who’d ever entered the marriage mart at all?
‘I look forward to joining you properly when we reach Dover.’
Sophie swallowed, trying to order her thoughts, as his parting words struck a cold toll through her.Aurelia had said he was intended for France, but his mention of Dover made everything very real. It was also some seven hours from London, which meant it was imperative she got out as soon as possible. Rapidly, she tried to recall her knowledge of coaching inn stops along the London road, certain Thomas and Fred had mentioned a few. But quite how far along they were– or how far Lord Rotherby would drive before stopping– was a mystery.
She clenched her fists in the folds of her muslin skirt, reminding herself he would have to stop for her comfort, if not his own. The thought was her only consolation. Travelling as far as Dover would not only take her some significant distance from Aunt Higglestone and the rest of her siblings, it would also mean being in Lord Rotherby’s company for an entire night,unaccompanied. No one would believe her virtue to be intact after such a duration, especially given Lord Rotherby’s reputation. She would be as good as ruined! Her aunt would have an apoplexy; Thomas would try to force Rotherby into marriage; Phoebe would think she’d taken leave of her senses; Josephine would suffer another lung spasm; Matilda would likely run away and join an actual circus, while Aurelia…
For a full minute, Sophie’s mind turned cartwheels, imagining all the ways Aurelia would wreak her revenge, if she did not find a way out of her current situation.
She stared out at the shadowy night. The main roads with which she was familiar had disappeared and she could see only the occasional cluster of buildings and long stretches of countryside. Clearly Lord Rotherby had chosen a lesser-known route from London, and briefly she recalled his unsettled air at Hyde Park.
She exhaled shakily.
Had his dark eyes been contemplating this midnight escape back then? What had occurred to prompt such a flight?
Warily, she eyed the expensive-looking boxes on the opposite seat.
‘I am keen to be away and happy I have provided everything for your comfort, as I promised.’
With a burst of fresh purpose, she reached across the swaying coach to the first dress box and pulled it onto her knees. If her only option was to catch the stage or mail coach back to London, she’d likely benefit from a few extra layers. Resolutely, she pulled off the box lid and stared briefly at the folded material within, before realisation dawned. She reached out to touch the expensive silk in wonder. She’d never seen such fine material before and briefly she imagined Lord Rotherby selecting the flimsy undergarments, together with the thoughts that might have run through his mind.
Had he pictured his companion wearing them? Removing them perhaps?
