“I will only be a moment,” she said. Her practicality was back in full force as she crossed to where the portmanteau was resting on the bed. She tossed in the clothing she’d changed out of and closed it.
“I brought some food for us to eat. Nothing fancy.”
She looked at the tray, a small vee forming between her eyes. “Can we take it with us and eat on the way?”
I nodded. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’m ready now.”
When we stepped into the hallway, I spotted a maid coming out of one of the rooms. I asked her to see to it that our lunch was boxed up and taken out to the stables.
Her eyes widened when I handed her a few coins. “Yes, my lord. Right away,” she said with a curtsy before rushing into our room.
Diana shook her head. “You are going to run out of money.”
I smiled. Clearly, she hadn’t seen the money I’d tucked into the bottom of the portmanteau.
“Have no fear. I came well prepared for this trip.”
We made our way down the back stairs of the inn and outside. Diana was wearing her cloak again with the hood up. We moved to the side of the inn, and I scanned the area between us and the stables to make sure her uncle hadn’t already doubled back.
When I could see no sign of him, I took Diana’s hand, and we hurried to the stables. The post chaise and postillion were waiting for us. I’d already paid them handsomely on my earlier trip outside to move quickly.
I helped Diana into the small carriage and followed, bringing the portmanteau inside with us. It would save a few minutes not to wait while it was strapped to the outside of the carriage. I also spied the maid, who was rushing across the yard to bring us our meal.
After accepting the small basket of food, we were off. We wouldn’t stop again for the remainder of the trip except to change horses at the posting inns along the way. Since we weren’t the first, and certainly wouldn’t be the last, couple to make a desperate flight from London to Gretna Green, it shouldn’t be a difficult journey.
Diana and I passed the time sharing tales about our pasts. Mostly, she recounted memories about those few times I’d been home from Eton when she and her mother visited. I’d caught her trying to follow me from time to time, but I hadn’t been aware of just how often that had happened. Or that she’d discovered all the secret places where I liked to hide to avoid the steward who insisted on keeping me abreast of all the happenings around the estate. As an adolescent, I’d found his constant nattering annoying.
When Diana finally fell asleep against the opposite corner of the carriage, I gathered her gently against my side, enjoying the way she nestled into me. Staring down at her, I couldn’t help but wonder what our future would hold. But with each passing mile, I found myself more convinced that fate had chosen well for me.
Kendrick and Moreland would be insufferable when I told them.
CHAPTER 16
CLIFTON
I’d traveled long distances by carriage before, but nothing could have prepared me for the grueling journey north to Gretna Green by post chaise. The small carriage swayed, and on more than one occasion, I was certain we were going to roll over. But finally we crossed into Scotland, and soon enough, the carriage was drawing to a halt.
Diana was sleeping against me, and I envied her ability to snatch sleep whenever she could. I was exhausted and had found it difficult to sleep more than a few hours here and there. The threat of being overtaken loomed large in my thoughts, an ever-present reminder of my duty to protect the woman I was about to wed.
Logic told me we were in no danger of Tuttleford overtaking us. We were ahead of him, and at each inn along the way, I’d paid extra to hire the best postillions. Even if he’d been just behind us, he wouldn’t be able to overcome that disadvantage.
I’d also made a point of giving them extra coin and told them to dally while returning to their original inn. Much as I wanted to, I couldn’t order them to cause a carriage accident. I wouldn’t be responsible for the man’s death, not when I suspected he’d done something similar to Diana’s mother.
The carriage was slowing when Diana straightened and rubbed her eyes. The sun was beginning to rise over the horizon, painting the inn’s courtyard in a golden glow.
She stared out the carriage’s front window. “Is this Gretna Green?”
I nodded. “Are you ready?”
She grimaced. “I must look frightful.”
My gaze moved over her now-familiar features. She looked rumpled, yes, but in the best way possible. It gave me a glimpse into what she’d look like every morning when she woke. Her hair was up now, but it would be loose on those mornings. I couldn’t wait to see that.
I cupped her cheek and traced her lower lip with my thumb. “You look delightful.”
She dragged the back of her fingers along my own stubbled cheek. “I don’t know why you’re even more handsome now. It really isn’t fair.”
