I pressed my face against hers and she giggled. “Let’s get married, Diana.”
After helping her from the carriage, we turned toward the stone inn. It looked much like every other inn we’d stopped at during our journey, but there was a weight to our arrival that gave this building a certain gravitas. Our lives were about to change.
Although to be honest, my life had changed the moment I overheard that conversation between Diana’s guardians. As had hers when she climbed into my carriage that first evening.
There was a bustle of activity in the courtyard as grooms ran out from the stables to see to the horses. The inn door opened just as we reached it. The broad-shouldered older man who greeted us—the innkeeper presumably—nodded his greeting. His eyes moved between Diana and me. “You’ve crossed the border to wed?”
“Yes, and we’re in a hurry.”
“Best come inside, then. I keep the fire lit.”
Even at this early hour, there were a few patrons in the common room. We followed the man through the room and down a narrow passage to the rear of the inn. He pushed open the heavy door, and we entered the small plain room where we’d be marrying.
I heard Diana’s breath catch. At the center of the room stood an anvil, dark and solid, its prominent placement making clear just what happened here. A forge fire glowed nearby, the low flames casting shadows on the surrounding walls.
“I’ll need two witnesses. My wife would have seen your arrival, so she’ll be along shortly with one of the maids.”
I glanced at Diana, who was still staring at the anvil. I wanted to ask if she’d changed her mind, but there was no returning. Both of us knew it. Yes, her guardians would gladly take her back, but I had no doubt they would do everything in their power to ensure she never escaped again.
Determination settled over me as I remembered Tuttleford’s threat.
The innkeeper’s gaze was fixed on Diana. “You’re here of your own free will?”
She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze squarely. “Yes.”
He nodded again. “Good. We’ll make short work of this. It will be quick, but proper.” He glanced at the door. “I don’t know what’s keeping Molly. I’ll be back before you can miss me.”
When he left, I turned to Diana. “No second thoughts?”
She smiled. “None.”
I squeezed her hand, relieved. I’d grown used to the idea of having Diana as my future countess. I didn’t want to examine why the possibility she’d changed her mind and wanted me to hide her away somewhere had filled me with dread.
Footsteps sounded at the door, and I turned to see the innkeeper returning, followed by a petite older woman and the promised maid.
They moved into place with a practice that told me this happened often.
“It is time to start,” the innkeeper said. “Please face one another and clasp your hands.”
CHAPTER 17
DIANA
I was married.
As promised, the ceremony was indeed quick. The clasping of hands, a few words, assurances we were aware of the solemnity of what we were undertaking. Then we were declared to be husband and wife.
Only a few days ago, I’d forced myself to come to terms with my reality. My season was at an end, and my guardians had informed me I wouldn’t have another. There would be no knight in shining armor coming to my rescue.
When my parents were still alive, I’d always believed that one day I would marry. My aunt and uncle hadn’t killed that dream, but it had been postponed. I’d told myself to be patient. Soon enough, I would reach my age of majority, and when I came into my inheritance, I’d finally have the freedom to live my life as I saw fit. Twenty-one years of age wasn’t terribly old, after all.
I never imagined myself escaping to Gretna Green to elope—and with Clifton, no less.
I glanced up at him, trying to think of something clever to say on this momentous occasion. I wanted to thank him, but that didn’t seem right. For today, I wanted to believe that anything was possible. That maybe one day he’d come to care for me.
He seemed equally at a loss for words. I could still feel the ghost of a sensation on my lips from where he’d pressed his mouth against mine in an all-too-brief kiss after the ceremony. It was a subtle reminder of the one we’d shared at the inn and a hint of what would come on our wedding night.
Tonight.
