“Yes, I walked right by them.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I overheard some men talk in the taproom. There are some broken tables. One man asked why and another said there was a huge fight early that morning. He said they had the man who had started it locked up in the storage room. Once I saw the duke’s servants at the foot of the staircase, I guessed where you were.”
“Did you steal the key from them?”
She held up her hand and he saw the hairpin in the moonlight. “Another trick Lady Baldwin showed me.”
“Bless Lady Baldwin.”
He kissed her again, a hard, grateful buss on the mouth. She deserved it. “I have something to say to you, but let’s leave first.” He would have opened the door but she pulled him back.
“No, wait, say it now.”
“Let us escape first.”
“What if we don’t? I’ll be returned to my aunt but who knows what will happen with you? I’ll never hear what you have to say. I almost lost the chance to kiss you and I would never have wanted to miss that.”
Both touched and gladdened by her candor, he cupped her face with his hands, marveling at the smoothness of her skin. How could anyone have imagined her a boy?
“Very well. Here is what I have to tell you. I love you, Charlene. You are simply incredible. You’re bold and brave and I can’t imagine giving my heart to any other.”
“I am thankful that you said that,” she answered, leaning into him. “I would never have wanted to live another second without hearing those words.”
“If we make it out of here, I plan on telling you that every day.”
“I pray you do. Whatever happens, Whitridge, you are taking me with you. If you go to Boston, I go to Boston. If you go to the moon, I go to the moon.” And then she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the passion in her being.
Had he thought the earlier kiss special? He’d been wrong.
What her kiss lacked in experience, it made up for in enthusiasm. She kissed him long and hard and he was powerless to pull away. Gavin could have led a host of guards into the room, and Jack would not have moved.
Charlene finished this kiss. Her eyes had been closed, her lashes dark against her cheeks. She now opened them. Sounding as content as a cat, she said, “I love you, too. I came here to tell you how rotten you were. I’m glad I was wrong.”
“We shall finish this,” he said, more of a promise to himself than to her.
She nodded. He took her hand and slowly opened the door. There was one window at the end of the hall that led to a staircase. The light from the window rested on the sleeping figures of two Baynton footmen. Jack recognized them as lads who served in the dining room. They were really not meant to perform this sort of work.
He moved Charlene up in front of him. Leaning close to her ear, he said, “I want you to walk right by them. You go first. Leave the building and I will come second. If they wake, don’t stop. Run.”
“What will happen to you?”
“Nothing as long as I know you are safe.”
“I wantyousafe,” she shot back.
“Then move.” He gave her a small shove. “I shall meet you on the street.”
She slipped into the hall, her movements noiseless. One of the guards gave out an abrupt snore, but neither woke. Jack saw her shadow turn the corner for the stairs.
He did not leave immediately. He wanted her to have a good chance to flee in case he was not as successful. He forced himself to be patient and when he was certain she’d had enough time to be outside the inn, then he moved.
In truth, Baynton’s servants were apparently not afraid of him escaping. Babies slept lighter.
However, Jack was not sure whom he would meet at the top of the stairs. Perkins might have set a guard there as well. Now he was doubly glad he’d broken the man’s nose. That had been a good moment.
He reached the stairs and climbed them two at a time.
