I kept peeking at him as we stepped into the carriage. The trunk had already been loaded, which meant we would be speeding away within moments.
“Do you think my uncle will give chase?”
Clifton nodded. “He would be a fool not to.”
I thought about that and winced. “They won’t notice my absence until tomorrow. In fact, I rarely see Lord Tuttleford. He usually arrives late at night and leaves early in the morning. So he won’t even know I’m gone until Aunt Matilda comes down at noon.”
“Will the servants realize you’ve disappeared?”
I shook my head. “I usually dress myself in the morning. And it’s not unheard of for me not to ask for breakfast. I hate bothering the staff when my aunt is still in bed.”
He frowned at that. “We’re going to drive through the night and put some distance between us before we need to change horses. Go to sleep, Diana.”
I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to thank him, but despite Victoria’s assurances, I couldn’t help thinking I was taking advantage of him. I made a silent vow not to be a burden to him in our marriage. I would embrace the freedom that came with being his countess, but I wouldn’t give him reason to regret his choice.
“Very well, my lord.”
I leaned into the corner of the seat cushion, settling against the wall of the carriage. The vehicle was well-sprung, cushioning the sway and bumps of the carriage. It took some time before I fell asleep, but when I did, it was with a smile on my face.
CHAPTER 11
CLIFTON
I found it impossible not to stare at Diana. She was so different from the carefree youth I’d once known. So buttoned up and tightly in control of every expression.
Occasionally, when she spoke, I could see a hint of the happy girl and adolescent I’d met over the years when I was home from school and her mother was visiting mine, Diana in tow. A tilt of the head, a fleeting expression. And when Diana had agreed to come with me, the defiant thrust of her chin had been unmistakable.
But she was no longer a girl. She was a young woman now, one her aunt and uncle were clearly trying to crush. They had done everything in their power to ensure she was invisible this season, and if Caroline hadn’t befriended her, they might have succeeded. I couldn’t help but wonder why they’d allowed her to come to London. Clearly, Tuttleford considered that decision a mistake.
But it was one I would exploit. I owed it to my mother to ensure her friend’s daughter was kept safe. I would do what her aunt and uncle clearly were not willing to do.
Diana’s breathing began to slow, and I could see she’d finally fallen asleep. I hated that she’d had to do so in a carriage while being spirited away in the dark of night. But it was necessary that we put as much distance as possible between Diana and her guardians before they discovered her absence.
They would go to Kendrick’s townhouse first. But my friend and his new bride would already be gone since they planned to leave London at daybreak.
How long would it take Tuttleford to figure out she was with me? And would he suspect we were headed to Gretna Green? I had no doubt he’d give chase. He wouldn’t want to lose control of Diana’s inheritance.
For what felt like the hundredth time, I searched within myself for the panic I expected to feel at the knowledge that before too much longer, I would be married. I was still surprised to find no such emotion. There was only the bone-deep certainty that I needed to do everything in my power to ensure Diana was safely married to me before her uncle caught up with us.
If my suspicions were true and he’d arranged for Lady Atherton’s death, then Tuttleford would have connections to the sorts of men who would help him find me. And if he did so before we were wed, he’d take her. I shuddered to think what he’d do to her if that came to pass.
I pulled aside the curtain and looked outside. We’d just left London, which meant the outriders I’d arranged to escort the carriage would be following. I wasn’t foolish enough to attempt such an escape through the night without additional security.
The carriage jolted then, and Diana cried out. I turned to look at her but she was still asleep. Her neck was at an awkward angle, though, and I knew she’d be in pain when she woke. I moved closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. I was trying to work out how to transfer her head to my shoulder without waking her when she murmured something in her sleep.
I smiled when I realized it was my name. Given the current circumstances, it wasn’t surprising that she was dreaming about me. And then she solved my current dilemma by turning toward me and burrowing into my shoulder.
I stared down at her, wondering if her dream was a happy one. I hadn’t wanted to frighten her, but I didn’t want her to suffer from any romantic notions. Ours would be a real marriage, yes, but I wanted the practical young woman Kendrick had told me about. The one who’d done everything in her power to keep Caroline safe from being ruined by a rake. A corner of my mouth quirked upward. How ironic that she would find herself in this position with another rake.
I hadn’t expected to fall asleep, but the next thing I knew, I was jolting awake as the carriage came to a stop. I glanced down to see that Diana was still sleeping. She’d curled more fully into me, one hand resting on my thigh. I shifted as part of me came inconveniently awake at that realization.
I was already hard, a normal occurrence upon waking, and I didn’t want to shock Diana if her hand slipped a little closer. I gritted my teeth and willed my erection to subside.
“Diana,” I said softly.
Her small hum had me smiling.
“Diana, you need to wake up.”
