“My greatest fear is that he will go to my papa—he even threatened to do so—if Papa knew that I was in a gambling den—and that Mama took me there—”
“Where is your papa now?”
“In the men’s sitting room with some of his friends from his gentleman’s club. He misses it terribly after—”
“Being expelled along with my father. They’re like two ancient, rusticated schoolboys.”
Charlotte giggled, and then immediately looked guilty. “Poor Papa, this awful feud has made him sad and angry. I hate to see him this way. And if Lucas—”
“He won’t get that chance,” Hugh said. “We must act tonight. I will leave directly. And in about half an hour or so, tell your papa you are feeling tired and wish to go home early. Then pack your bags and be ready for me two hours past midnight.”
“Where will we go?”
“Gretna Green.” He stopped their dance and cupped her face in his hands. “That is, if you are willing to marry me, Charlotte?”
She hesitated.
“What is it?” he asked. “You appear to be uncertain?” He searched her face for answers, not caring that the other dancers had to spin around them.
She stepped back, out of his grasp. “Even if we manage to keep Lucas from speaking to my father, I still fear for him. When he learns that I have eloped, especially with you, I’m afraid the shock might…” She bit her lip. “His heart isn’t strong.”
“I understand. I worry about my father too. He might react badly, but my mother has asked me to leave him in her capable hands, and I am certain that’s what your mother told you too. They planned this union, and I trust it’s because they believe the outcome will be a positive one.”
Charlotte nodded. Still, he sensed her hesitation. And although he didn’t doubt that she feared for her papa, he wondered if that was the true cause of her worry. “Is something else the matter? Is it me?” he asked.
“I won’t marry a man who feels obligated or thinks I need saving.” She worried her lower lip. “It is all rather sudden; I wouldn’t blame you if—”
“Shh,” he said, drawing her close again. “I promise you, Charlotte, that I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Chapter Ten
Charlotte could notrest. She paced the length of her room, stopping to peek out of her window at the street to see if Hugh had arrived. Her stomach knotted in anticipation of his arrival. She could not believe that by this time tomorrow, she would be married. It seemed absurd. She hardly knew Hugh Warsham. She touched the tender spot on her neck. Yet, she couldn’t bear to think of life without him. She wasn’t so naive as to think this was love; she hadn’t known him long enough for that. But it held the promise of love. She closed her eyes and relived the feel of Hugh’s hand on her face as he studied her features. She relived the taste of his tongue, the heat of his breath, and the delirious pleasure she’d felt as he devoured her neck.
She’d never been that close to any man before, and she couldn’t imagine being so intimate with any other man. The thought of Lucas touching her in that way repulsed her. She’d join a nunnery before she married him.
“I never dreamed that I wouldn’t be at your wedding.” Lady Rose, who’d been busy checking Charlotte’s carpet bag to ensure her daughter had everything she needed, came to stand next to Charlotte.
“I know; I didn’t either.” Charlotte reached for her mother’s hand. “And I fear Papa’s reaction. What if this marriage has the opposite effect than what we intend? What if his heart can’t take it and—”
“Don’t forget that your papa is my husband, Charlotte. I know him, and I know that nothing is more important to him than his family. He will be happy because you are happy and that will keep his heart strong. And when he meets Hugh and realizes that he has not lost a daughter but gained a son, he will be even happier and grow even stronger.”
Charlotte squeezed her mother’s hand. “Perhaps we can have a proper wedding celebration when we return home. I want you and Papa to be a part of my wedding, even if it’s after the fact.”
“Oh, yes. We most certainly will do that.” She cleared her throat. “But speaking of marriage, I feel I must say something to you about your wedding night. It can be rather intimidating—even frightening—for some young women. Although I daresay you will be more prepared than others, considering the liberties you permitted Hugh to take at the Lyon’s Den.”
Charlotte sucked in her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling. “I’m sorry, Mama. I couldn’t help myself—no one told me kissing a man could feel so wonderful,” Charlotte said, purposefully omitting the fact that she’d permitted Hugh quite a few more liberties than simply kissing.
“I’m glad to hear that, my sweet. Too many women fear their wedding night and are so startled by the events that they never learn to enjoy the marital act. Instead, they spend their lives enduring it because they believe it is their duty and because it results in motherhood.”
Charlotte stared at her mother. She could not quite believe what she was hearing. “You are not ashamed of me, then?” She’d never heard a woman talk about enjoying intimacies of the flesh. Perhaps these things were only said before one’s wedding night.
“No, indeed, I am happy for you. Of course, I do not approve of your kissing Mr. Warsham the way you did, but as you are to be Mrs. Warsham, none of it matters now.”
“And when you say, ‘the marital act,’ what do you mean by that? There will be kissing, I know as much, but…” Charlotte remembered Hugh’s hand on her breast, and a rush of pleasure passed through her. If he’d donethatto her in the garden, what would he do in the bedroom?
“Well,” Mrs. Warsham said, “don’t be alarmed but, since he is your husband, he is permitted—and will likely want to…see and touch your body…naked.”
“And I will be permitted—expected—to see and touch his naked body too,” Charlotte said in wonder. She knew there was a difference, of course, but it had never mattered much to her until now.
