“Thank you. I’ll not be much longer,” Amelia answered automatically, keeping her gaze fixed on the only person that mattered.
Kidnap me now! Throw me over your shoulder and carry me away now!She silently begged him with her eyes.
Love me, her soul cried out.
But he didn’t even blink.
“Goodbye, Mr. Beckworth,” she said.
“My lady.”
And two minutes later, she was seated beside her mother. Uncomfortable. Unhappy. And worst of all.Unloved.
GOING BACKWARDS
They didn’t drive for long, only a few hours, in fact.
Because, of course, they would be staying at The Goat’s Tail Inn. It was as though somebody was pouring salt into an open wound.
There was nowhere that she could look without being reminded of him, and each little realization only widened the hole in her heart. She could almost see him striding through the entryway as though he owned the place because, well, he did in fact own the place, or else leaning against the counter, discussing their accommodations with the innkeeper and Mr. Fitzgerald. He would have been the one to arrange for Sally to help her that night. He would have been the one to replace that wretched gown she’d been wearing the day he rode off with her.
The new gowns had been pretty and… comfortable. He hadn’t replaced her stays. With what she knew of him now, and after he’d torn them off her that day with such desperation, she imagined he considered the garment pointless at best.
He always let her eat as much as she needed and asked about her preferences. Although he refused to let her endanger herself, he seemed to genuinely want her to experience as much freedom as her circumstances would allow.
The wave of memories of every thoughtful thing he’d done left her feeling more than a little light-headed. It had never been a kidnapping. It had been a rescue.
He’d provided her with an escape.
But it had only been temporary.
He wasn’t here somewhere, making sure she was taken care of. She’d left him behind.
Marching up the familiar narrow staircase, she had to clutch a hand over her heart.
The universe couldn’t even assign her a different room.
Everything was almost exactly where it had been before, like that day was playing over again just for her. It was the same place, but knowing she would be driving away from him tomorrow instead of with him toward his manor, it felt so very dark.
A hollow echo.
Amelia couldn’t bring herself to care when Miss Henrietta tutted disapprovingly as she examined the chamber.
“Just look at this place. Can’t even be bothered to turn down the bed properly and Lord knows how old these sheets are. And here!” She wandered over to the washbasin, looking positively aggrieved. “There’s no soap. We’ll have to make do with our own—probably for the best, if I’m being honest.”
“It’s fine,” Amelia said and immediately felt tired from the effort.
“The trunks haven’t been brought up yet, either. Disgraceful! If this was a proper inn, they’d have been waiting already.” Amelia crossed the room to stare out the window. The sky in the distance reminded her of the sea.
In her mind, she was remembering the morning he’d run after her wearing nothing but a pair of trousers. Not because he’d thought she might escape, but because he’d been worried.
So worried that he’d barely taken the time to throw any clothing on.
And walking back, he’d held her hand.
Sounding almost distant, Amelia only vaguely heard Miss Henrietta’s continued ranting. “I’m going to have to chase them down. You stay here. I’ll return shortly.” Her lady’s maid left the room with a determined scowl.
Amelia may have nodded. She may have answered.
