He glanced back at the maid. “Did you see where he was taking her?”
“No, my lord. By the time I found somebody to tell, they had left the estate.”
Trey held his pounding head in his hands as he paced the floor. Where would that man have taken her?
“Trey?”
He stopped and faced Nic. “What?”
“Mr. Cutler knew about Judith’s inheritance. I have no doubt.”
Trey nodded as he squeezed his eyes closed. “I believe you are right.”
“Being the calculated, underhanded man Mr. Cutler is, there’s only one place he would have taken her.”
Trey snapped his attention to Nic as they both said the same thing.
“Gretna Green.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Afew timesduring the ride, Judith had fallen asleep. Alex had taken off the horse’s blanket and they moved to a different vehicle. Now the coach they rode in was covered as a driver took them toward the inn.
She’d cried all of her tears. Exhaustion wouldn’t let her shed anymore. Weary, she could hardly hold herself upright, and slumped against the corner of the conveyance as it jerked her body to and fro.
Alex talked to her, but she didn’t listen. She couldn’t. Not when her heart ached to have Trey come to her rescue and all she wanted to hear was his voice. That wouldn’t happen. Alex told her about the letter he’d written for Trey to read after they’d left. He would believe she was out of his life for good. He hadn’t wanted to believe in love. Now he would close his heart to love once more.
She had no other choice but to marry Alex. If she didn’t, he’d kill Trey. She loved Trey too much to have him die for her. It was Tristan and Lady Diana’s story all over again.
The coach slowed, which made Alex peek out the window. Night was upon them, and she doubted he could see anything, but when he sat back in the seat and smiled wide, she knew he had. They must be at the inn.
Releasing a defeated sigh, she closed her eyes. Could she convince Alex that marrying her was wrong? She didn’t lovehim, and she’d repeatedly told him. So why was he continuing this?
My inheritance.
He must know about the money.
The conveyance stopped and the driver opened the door. Alex jumped down, turned and offered his hand. Ignoring his help, she pushed his hand aside and climbed out by herself.
The inn was small. Not at all what she’d expected, but there was a large barn out back to keep the horses. From where she stood, it didn’t appear to be full since there weren’t any carriages waiting nearby. Just her misfortune. She may not find anyone to help her get away.
He grabbed her hand and hooked it around his elbow. Holding himself straight, he strolled toward the building. She rolled her eyes. He’d always wanted to be a gentleman. Too bad he’d never achieve that goal.
He ushered them inside and paid for their lodging. Bile rose in her throat. They were going to share a room. If he tried to touch her, she’d fight him every second.
While Alex talked with the man at the desk, she blocked out what they said and scanned the room, searching for a way out. If given the chance, she’d run. Where would she go? She was in the middle of nowhere. And at night. No, she couldn’t escape now. Morning would be the best time.
Morning may be too late.
Worn out tables and rickety chairs filled the nearly empty area. A few people loitered in the dining area, not paying attention to anything but their mug of ale in front of them.
In the corner, a lone man slumped against the wall. His gaze rested on her. A long dirty brown beard hung from his face, the same color of his long, matted hair. His ragged clothes looked as if they could stand on their own. Shivers of disgust crawled over her skin. By his unkempt appearance, she assumed he was notsomebody she could trust. He, too, had a mug sitting in front of him on the table.
When Alex started walking, she pulled her attention away from the man in the corner and followed beside Alex. Perhaps it was a good idea to stay close to him no matter how much she loathed his presence.
Alex found a table for them. Her weak legs didn’t want to move, so she plopped on the chair. It also didn’t matter how sticky the table was, because she rested her elbows on the top so she could hold up her head with her hands.
“When will the room be ready?” Her voice was low, mainly because she didn’t have much strength to speak.
