All was quiet in the main part of the inn. Travelers who could not afford a room slept on benches in the taproom. No one was at the desk and there was certainly no sign of Baynton livery or the sort of man Perkins employed. Apparently, they thought they had Jack corralled.
Jack shoved his hair back from his face. He wondered where his hat had gone. He walked out of the inn as cool as he pleased. Moving out of the shadows, Charlene fell into step beside him. They did not speak for several minutes. Out on the streets, parties of men made their way about their business and Jack realized exactly what Charlene had risked coming for him.
She broke the silence first. “So, what do we do now? Are you going to confront your brother? Tell him how wrong he was for preventing your meeting?”
“No,” Jack answered. He paused on a corner. “The Coachman’s Inn is down this way.” The Coachman’s Inn was another posting inn.
“Why do you want to go there?”
“We need horses. How is your riding?”
Charlene hesitated. “I’m fair in the saddle.”
“No worry. I’m a ripping good rider. I’ll see you through.” He started walking in the direction of the Coachman’s.
She skipped to catch up. “The wharves are in the opposite direction.”
“We aren’t going to the wharves. That is what they will expect and I’m not ready to leave Britain yet.” Jack stopped so quickly, she almost ran into him. He took her in his arms. “Were you truthful when you said you wanted to leave with me?”
“Were you truthful when you said you loved me?” she countered.
He laughed. “My Charlene, always hedging your wagers. Yes, I was honest. I love you, brat. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. Although I prefer you in dresses.”
She laughed, the sound very feminine, and Jack had to glance up and down the street to ensure they were alone. He turned serious.
“My lady, will you marry me—”
“Yes.” The word was out of her before he could finish his sentence. She would have leaped into his arms but Jack held her off.
“Careful,” he warned. They did not need to draw attention to themselves. Suitably chastised, she stayed where she was.
“My aunt will not be pleased. Sarah was trying to discourage me this morning. However, I like to think that once she realizes how happy you make me, then she will come round.”
“My family will probably never come around. When we marry, Charlene, it will be without their blessing. There will be those who will tell you that I married you out of spite, but that isn’t true. I’m marrying you because you have made me believe in love again.” For a second, gratitude humbled him. “After Hope died, I vowed never to risk my heart on another. The pain of loss was too great. But, right now, I can’t imagine my life without you.”
He reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “We are going to Scotland, love. I want us married on British soil so that no one can ever claim that I kidnapped you or forced you against your will or that our marriage is not valid. Do you understand?”
“I do. Isn’t Gretna Green a long ways from here?”
“Not that far on horseback. Fortunately no one took anything off my person. I have the money to hire two horses. We can reach Gretna within the week, maybe less.”
“Then let us be gone.” She spoke without hesitation.
”You shall make an excellent American wife.”
Her answer was a lovely grin. “I can’t wait for the adventure.”
“Follow me then.” He stepped back onto the street. “We have to keep up the ruse a bit longer. We are two mates out on the town. Of course, this helps us. When Gavin starts looking for us, and he will, he will be looking for a man and woman.”
Within the hour, they had hired two horses, and as the sun rose, they were well on their way out of London.
Chapter Eighteen
Gavin did not have a good night’s sleep.
His conscience bothered him, as it had the night before. He had only to look at his mother to feel the pangs. She had not taken Jack’s leaving well.
Worse, Gavin had lied to her. He was not a liar by nature and the sin did not rest well on him. It was compounded by his suspicion that she had heard their argument. She knew.
