In her chamber, she rang for her maid and paced the floor until Claudia arrived. “Yes, my lady?”
“I’m leaving for London tonight. Please pack the necessities, along with the funds from my trunk.”
Claudia hesitated. “Am I traveling with you?”
Isabella had given that much thought. She walked over and took the other woman’s hands in her own. With moisture welling in her eyes, she said, “I’m afraid this is one journey that I must make on my own, but as soon as I’m settled I will send for you. And in New York, you will no longer be my maid, but simply my friend. I intend to break down all these barriers that set us apart here.”
Claudia embraced her with a sob. “I will miss you dreadfully, my lady.”
“And I, you,” Isabella whispered. As she pulled back, she added, “But I promise that we will see each other again very soon.”
***
While Isabella didn’t feel much like eating anything that night, she forced herself to do so, for Godknewwhen she’d have such a tempting fare on her upcoming travels. But sheremained convincedin her heart that this was the right thing to do. The thought of being chained to someone for the rest of her life, being his broodmare, was nothing short of a prison sentence. Her parents might as well have thrown her in Newgate and tossed away the key.
And Ridge…
She swallowed the lump that lodged in her throat and firmly pushed him out of her mind. It was apparent, after he’d rode away that afternoon, that he wasn’t prepared to fight for her and she didn’t have the time to wait any longer.
Isabella listened as her mother and father talked about her marriage plans, as if she wasn’t even in the room. At the end of the meal, she politely excused herself and went to herbedchamber, where the adventure of her new life was about to begin.
She sat and talked with Claudia, laughing and reminiscing about their experiences through the years, until the clock struck the appointed hour of midnight. Claudia had already promised her that her mare would be saddled and ready.
With a deep breath, Isabellasteadied herself and thenpicked up her valise. Attired in her deep blue riding habit, boots,bonnet,and cloak, she silently made her way down theservants’stairs with Claudia behind her. Theyhaddecided it would be best if she came along as a distraction until Isabella was safely outside.
Without anyone to bother them, Isabella paused at the door and hugged her maid one last time. “I’ll write the moment we land.”
She turned and headed across the green lawn, thankful that her dark cloak blended into the shadows around her.
But just as she was about to reach that stables, one of the dark figures abruptly moved into her path. She brought her valise up, intending to use it as a weapon, but lowered it with a sigh when she spied Logan. “Mr. Montgomery. You gave me quite a fright.” She paused with a frown. “I thought my father released you from your duty and instructed you to return to London.”
“That’s what I had intended as well,” he returned evenly. “But then after I heard what was planned for you, I realized you might try something like this, so I decided to hang around.” He lifted a brow. “As if I would allow ouronlyfemale spy to risk the treacherous streets of London at night without a proper escort.”
Isabella couldn’t help but laugh. “A lady spy, am I? In that case, I would be honored to have you by my side.”
His grin was full of amusement and Isabella couldn’t help but think that he would be a perfect match for Korina. They certainly had the same sense of dry humor.
Unfortunately, her matchmaking skills would have to wait.
Once she and Logan were mountedon their prospective horses, heregardedher with a lifted brow. “Ready?”
When she gavea brief nod of her head, he spurred his horse forward. Sending up a silent prayer to the heavens, she did the same.
***
Isabella was glad when the glow of the cityrose in the distance. It was still dark by the time they rode into the outskirts of London, where she blew out a relieved breath. She’d never riddenin the middle of the nightwithout the security of a carriage, and itwould have beenrather dauntingto do so on her own withoutLogan’scalmpresence beside her.
Although she hadn’t talked to him much before then, her focus generally riveted on Ridge, she found Mr. Montgomery to be rather charming company. He regaled her with tales of his youth, and she had laughed more than once. “I daresay you paint a picture of a rather mischievous young boy,” she teased.
“You could say I kept my governess on her toes,” he said with a wink, and then, as if a curtain descended over his expression, he became pensive. “But it all changed when I went away to school.”
“I can’t imagine that to be true,” she countered. “As an agent, I’m sure that boy is still inside of you somewhere.”
She saw his jaw clench, even in the shadows that surrounded them. “I’m not referring to myself.”
As he fell silent, so did Isabella. It was obvious that his past was a painful subject and it was best not to push him too far, especially since he’d done her a service by assisting in her flight from Ashfield Hall, ensuring that she made it to her destination safely.
As they rode along the streets of Mayfair, Isabella pointed to a magnificent, white-columned mansion on the corner. It was one of the most impressive structures in the entire area. “That’s where my friend, Korina, is staying.”
