It wasn’t unusual for me to spend time outside after dinner, but I normally didn’t bring my embroidery outside.
I passed a maid who glanced down at my basket. Her brow furrowed for a moment, but she said nothing. When she dipped into a curtsy and moved past me, I released the breath I was holding. It was silly to be so worried since I was only heading out to the back garden. No one would stop me.
I slipped out into the small garden and sent up a silent thank you that it wasn’t raining. No one was taking note of what I was doing, but it felt as though the servants were watching me from the windows as I made my way to the small bench where I normally sat.
I waited five minutes to ensure no one would follow me outside. My body was angled away from the house as I waited, my basket of needlework on the bench next to me. It was dark tonight, the clouds hiding the moon.
After waiting a few minutes, I stood and made one full circle around the garden with the basket looped over my arm. When I didn’t see anyone looking out the back windows of the house, I started a second circuit around the garden. The space was not large, but the corner next to the garden gate was shaded by a large tree. I stopped under the tree, knowing that the shadows would hide me, dropped the basket, and pulled out my cloak.
I was moving quickly now as I wrapped myself in the cloak and raised the hood, afraid that dallying for even a moment would lead to my discovery.
I was careful to keep my hands inside the sleeves of the dark cloak and my head lowered as I stepped out from under the shadow cast by the tree. There was no stopping now as I closed the small distance to the gate and slipped out into the side street.
I quickened my pace and crossed over to the other side of the street. When I passed my guardians’ townhouse, I kept my face lowered as I made my way toward the appointed meeting place. My stomach dropped when I saw no carriage waiting.
I came to a stop and stared at the empty street. I had dawdled too long in the garden and had missed my opportunity. My eyes began to sting, but I refused to cry. I’d made far too much out of this little adventure. Still, it would have been nice to see Clifton again and be able to speak to him without worrying about my aunt interfering.
And I’d convinced myself that he had a letter for me from his mother. I’d always liked Lady Clifton, and it made me sad to think of all the letters my guardians must have intercepted and kept from me.
With a deep breath, I forced myself to turn back to the townhouse. I hadn’t been gone long, and it would be easy to sneak back into the house without anyone knowing I’d left.
I stopped at the sound of a carriage making its way toward me. When it passed, I turned to watch its progress, expecting it to continue. Instead, it came to a stop. The carriage driver jumped down from his seat to open the carriage door and fold down the step. Then he climbed back into his seat.
When no one emerged from the vehicle, I hurried toward the carriage. I’d come this far and wouldn’t turn back. I had no guarantee it was Clifton inside the carriage, but I did know Caroline would never be part of any scheme that would cause me harm.
When I reached the carriage, I knocked on the open door to announce my arrival and climbed in.
The interior was dark. The curtains had been drawn, and no lantern was lit, but a sliver of light from a distant street lamp bravely attempted to offer what help it could.
I held my breath when the lone occupant of the carriage leaned forward, illuminating one side of his face.
Then I let it out with an incredulous laugh when I saw it was Clifton.
He stared at me, his expression serious. “Good evening, Diana.”
A shiver went down my spine at his low, rich voice. I loved the way he said my name. It conjured up all manner of impossible fantasies.
But it was one thing to daydream when I was safely at home. I refused to embarrass myself in front of this man.
“I’m not sure I understand what’s happening,” I said. “Caroline left me a note that said you needed to speak to me.”
He nodded. “Do I have your permission to drive you a little further out? A carriage sitting here might raise suspicions.”
When I nodded, he rapped on the ceiling of the carriage. The driver climbed down again to put away the carriage step and closed the door.
It was now almost pitch black, and I could only see the outline of his figure in the dark.
When the carriage began to move, Clifton said, “I’ve been circling this block for the last hour. I didn’t want to risk missing you if you were able to sneak out earlier”
I grimaced. “I had to be certain my absence wouldn’t be missed. When I didn’t see the carriage here, I thought I was too late.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe I’m here with you.”
The carriage swayed slightly. We didn’t drive far before it came to a halt again. Clifton drew back the curtain covering the window, and I could see him clearly in the light coming from the streetlamp outside. Something in his expression caused me a small amount of alarm, and I realized there could only be one reason why he would need to speak to me. “Please tell me that nothing has happened to your mother.”
He shook his head. “I received a letter from her last week, and all was well there. No, I have something else of great importance I need to speak with you about.”
I couldn’t imagine what that would be. “I don’t understand.”
At his reply, I would have thought he was joking, but Clifton would never jest about such a thing.
