“I won’t marry you. I’d die first.”
He shrugged. “Then you force my hand.”
“To do what?” The hairs on the back of Charlotte’s neck lifted and her heartbeat accelerated.
“To make you unchaste for any other man.”
Charlotte’s breathing shallowed. Dizziness and nausea overcame her.Lucas is plainly mad. I must find a way to escape.
She said nothing more, knowing it was pointless trying to argue with Lucas. There was no way out of the locked carriage, but Gretna Green was at least a full day’s coach ride away, and they would need to stop to eat and change the horses.Then, I shall get my chance.
The hours of waiting were agonizing. Charlotte kept her back turned to Lucas and laid her head to rest on the leather carriageseat. There were a few moments of blessed sleep, providing her with a much-needed respite from the horror of her situation, but the road was too bumpy and uneven for slumber to last unchecked.
When the carriage finally rolled to a stop outside a blacksmith that stood adjacent to an inn, Charlotte pretended to wake. Holding her stomach, she said, “I’m starving. I hope you intend to do the gentlemanly thing and allow me a meal before we continue this journey.”
Lucas’s thin lips curled into a reptilian smile. “Of course, but only if you promise to behave yourself. Remember, people don’t look kindly on hysterical women, and if you start screaming, I will lock you in this carriage for the next two hundred and ninety miles. Do you understand?”
Charlotte nodded. “I promise. All I want is some food. Then I will feel much better. You will have no trouble from me once I am satiated.”
Lucas grunted. “I believe it. Just like horses, women. A firm hand and a full belly are all it takes to tame you.”
Charlotte bit back her retort, gritting her teeth so hard her jaw ached.
Patience, she reminded herself.Stay calm. The chance to escape will come as soon as he lets down his guard.
Chapter Eleven
Lucas kept atight grip on Charlotte’s arm as they left the carriage. She clutched her small carpet bag under her free arm, grateful that she’d managed to convince Lucas to let her bring it inside. Persuading him had been easier than she’d thought. After telling him that it contained items necessary for her womanly needs, he’d pulled a disgusted face but did not object as she hauled the bag from the carriage. The sun had not yet risen, and she had no idea where they were. He steered her toward a white building with a thatched roof and a wooden door, above which hung a sign that read,The Black Dog Coach Inn. “Don’t say a word to anyone. Just leave everything to me, and I’ll see to it that you get a good breakfast and a glass of ale to go with it.” He shoved her inside ahead of him.
“Morning, sir, will you be wanting a room?” A short, round woman with puffy pink cheeks and frizzy strands of brown hair peeking out from under her white bonnet glanced at Charlotte’s carpet bag as she greeted Lucas.
“That remains to be seen,” Lucas said, glancing at Charlotte. “We need a change of horses. My groom and carriage are outside. How soon can that be done?”
The woman turned and whistled. A young man with disheveled hair came out of the back rooms toward them. “There’s a carriage awaiting fresh horses outside, Charlie.”
Charlie nodded and loped outside.
“Now come and sit down. My Jacob will bring you some ale.”
Lucas kept hold of Charlotte’s arm as they made their way to a low wooden table. Charlotte glanced around the dimly lit room, searching for an escape. A few of the men, who sat drinking ale and eating large chunks of bread and meat, eyed her. A cold shiver ran down her back. This was no place for a young woman.
The innkeeper, who was as short and round as his wife, put two mugs of ale on the table. Charlotte sipped it gingerly; the bitter warmth of the drink repulsed her. Lucas gulped half his down and ordered another. “And bring us two plates of your finest meat,” he added.
The publican returned a few moments later to refill Lucas’s cup, and his wife delivered two plates of meat, bread, and beans to the table. Charlotte forced herself to eat a few mouthfuls. She’d need her strength if she wanted to escape.
“I like a girl with an appetite.” Lucas grabbed her thigh and squeezed.
Charlotte jumped, but Lucas only laughed and squeezed tighter. “Get your hand off me, or I’ll scream,” she hissed.
“Scream?” Lucas raised his eyebrows. “And who do you think will save you? These men have been ogling you since we arrived. If it weren’t for me, you would be in serious trouble. But instead of thanking me, you choose to spurn me.” He stood up. “I should show you what it’s like to be left on your own.”
Panic lodged itself in Charlotte’s chest as Lucas strode out of the inn.Where is he going? To check on the horses? Or perhaps to use the privy?She scanned the room. The men leered at her. And the only women in the inn were one drunk harlot and thepublican’s wife, who was now walking past her holding two jugs of ale.
Charlotte made up her mind. She reached into her carpetbag and retrieved the banknotes her mother had given her. Then, when the woman passed her table again after delivering the ale, Charlotte grabbed her arm.
“What you be doing, Missy? I don’t want any trouble, hear me?”
“Help me, I can pay.” She flashed the bank notes. “And there will be a big reward from my father, too.”
