He nodded. “We can’t hide forever. And you have nothing to fear. Your mama has had days to prepare your papa for our return. And you said yourself that she has more sway over him than anyone and that his biggest concern is your happiness. If all that fails to appease him, then I am sure he will take comfort in the fact that he has usurped his enemy’s son. What greater victory can a man ask for?”
“But what of your father? Oh, it sounds as if he has a frightful temper. Threatening to engage Papa in a duel and cutting off the heads of roses.”
Hugh forced a smile, regretting now that he’d told her about that unfortunate incident. “Papa can be difficult,” he said, “but he loves my mother to distraction. She is the only person who can reason with him. I’m certain that when she reminds him that they, too, eloped to marry in Scotland, he’ll feel more sympathetic.” Hugh squeezed his wife’s hand, eliciting a small smile from her. She suffered enough, worrying about her papa’s health, and did not need to concern herself with his father whom he was certain would not back down from any fight, no matter who tried to reason with him.
His mother had always harbored delusions about her husband, thinking him softer-hearted and more reasonable than he was. But Hugh was certain that General Warsham would be incensed that his son had eloped with the enemy’s daughter. He would view it as a manipulation of his wife and son by the Roses and see it as a declaration of war.
Chapter Thirteen
Charlotte had neverknown anything but love, affection, and comfort from the day she’d been born. She’d been so content with life that she hadn’t wanted to leave the safe cocoon her parents had spun around her. Happy as she’d been, she had never imagined that having a family of her own could be so blissful. She’d witnessed her parents’ love and had hoped to find the same for herself, and she’d imagined that a love match would simply be an extension of the life she already lived. But life with Hugh was an entirely new world where every ordinary event seemed more exciting, and every day seemed brighter and filled with the promise of a beautiful future.
She sighed happily and snuggled close to Hugh as the coach rolled into Mayfair, feeling certain that her papa would love Hugh as much as she did. Mama would have already broken the news to him, and now all that remained was for their families to come together. Just as planned.
Hugh wrapped his arm around her, enveloping her in his warmth. “How are you feeling, my love?” he asked as the carriage rolled to a stop outside her parents’ townhome.
“Blissful,” she said. “In just a few minutes, all the people I love most in the world will be in the same room.”
It was evening, and the streets were already dark, but warm candlelight flickered in the windows of her home, and she knew that, after having received her message, her parents would have postponed their dinner so they could all dine together. And the thought filled her with warmth.
“Are you ready?” Hugh said.
She nodded and smiled reassuringly. He reached for the door handle, but she grabbed his hand, and he turned back to her. “My parents will love you. I have no doubt in my heart about that.”
He leaned toward her and kissed her. “And I shall love them because they are part of you,” he said, kissing her again before pushing open the door. He exited the carriage and turned to help Charlotte out. Just as she reached for his hand, a figure emerged from the shadows and lunged at Hugh. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open in an expression of surprise and pain.
A thin trickle of blood ran down the corner of his mouth before his body slumped to the ground. A glint of silver and a head of fiery copper hair caught Charlotte’s eye as Hugh’s attacker made his escape.
Still holding the lamp, Charlotte scrambled to get out of the carriage but froze when she saw Hugh slumped on the ground right in front of the carriage door. The driver had already dismounted and crouched next to Hugh.
“He’s been stabbed in the back, Miss,” the driver said, looking up at her. “I think he’s gone.”
The scream that had been sitting in Charlotte’s throat escaped, piercing the calm night air.
Voices sounded inthe distance—his driver and another man—a stranger. He didn’t know the voice. Women’s voices were also in his head. Charlotte’s voice. He could hear her, but he couldn’t see or touch her. Where was she?
Charlotte. He tried to say her name.
An icy chill gripped his body, and he began to shake.
“Take him inside,” someone shouted.
“Fetch the doctor,” another voice cried.
He thought he heard a woman sob.Charlotte, he tried again to speak but failed. His body shook uncontrollably. Why was it so bloody cold?
Someone slipped their hands under his arms. His body convulsed in response to their excruciating touch. Another person gripped his legs. Then he was in the air, dangling helplessly, as they carried him inside. A searing pain radiated between his shoulder blades and then throughout his body. He screamed, but it seemed nobody heard his cries. Pain overwhelmed his senses. He was drowning in an ocean of agony. Then everything went black.
When he awoke, he was naked to the waist, lying face down on a soft bed. Daylight streamed into the room through a gap in the gold curtains.Gold curtains?He tried to push himself up, but the throbbing between his shoulder blades crippled him.Where am I? What the hell happened?He remembered riding in the carriage with Charlotte. They were married and happy. Had it all been a dream?
“Don’t try to move.” Charlotte’s voice forced his eyes open. She crouched by his side, her eyes swollen, and her cheeks streaked with tears.
What was happening? She’d been smiling at him, stretching out her hand to take his.
“Charlotte.” His voice came out in a whisper. Saying her name seemed to use all of his strength.
“Here, swallow this. It’s laudanum.” She spooned a few bitter drops in his mouth. Seconds later, a pleasant haziness overcame him, and his pain and fears disappeared. He floated on a soft cloud.Gretna Green. A bearded blacksmith striking an anvil. Charlotte in his arms. In his bed.The thoughts floated in his mind. Happiness filled his heart. He smiled as he sank into a deep sleep.
“Poppycock! My sonwill not stay in this house! Not while I’m still drawing breaths.” Despite being retired, General Warsham carried himself like a soldier on active duty. His rigid posture, permanent glare, and commanding voice sent shivers down Charlotte’s spine. He was the opposite of Hugh, who exuded warmth and charm. All of Hugh’s beauty and warmth, Charlotte knew, had come from his mother. She had the same gentle hazel eyes, luxurious brown curls, and exquisitely carved features. It fascinated Charlotte that Mrs. Warsham had once been engaged to her papa. And even more so that she’d chosen to marry General Warsham instead.
