Being away from the past was what he’d become good at. Maybe his secrets would stay buried, and he could live his life with a woman who seemed to believe only the good about him. With a nod, he pulled on the reins and started the horses moving. “The rest was good for the horse team. I think I can get them to a greater speed. I want to be far from the past, too. You can be brave when you want to be, Miss Croome. I see that.”
“When I have to, Bex, when I have to.”
He could feel her smiling at him, but he couldn’t turn and confirm. He couldn’t risk Miss Croome guessing he wasn’t being fully honest. Marrying her would finally be a way to close off his past, to have a new family. They just had to make it to Gretna without being caught.
…
When she felt the phaeton move at a faster speed, Ester took an easier breath. If Bex had sought to measure her resolve, he must have found it sufficient. It was good to know that he felt strongly enough about her welfare that he refused to leave without assurances.
Having no servants did frighten her a little, more than she’d let on. Her hair could be very temperamental to style, easy to tangle, because it wasn’t straight like her mother’s locks. Yet, Mama had made due for years without Clancy and Mrs. Fitterwall. Surely Ester could.
And she was scared of being caught and being shamed as a woman of loose morals. Frederica was flighty but respectable, and folks still always talked about her.
No. No getting caught. No shame. Just a marriage to the man of her dreams.
Ester looked at Bex, so big and tall in his seat. His shadowed profile seemed so filled with fortitude. Maybe someday, he’d be as sure about Ester as she was about him.
Yes, she had no doubts. He had come for her on time and had caught her in his big strong arms, the same strong arms that seemed as if they wanted to embrace her for a kiss under the streetlamp. Did Bex want to kiss her? What would that be like?
In an hour or two they made it beyond the city. The clear night sky showing above the trees showcased stars that twinkled like seed pearls in a fancy veil, like the one she’d drawn for Frederica. She patted her bag that sat near her feet, feeling the heavy board cover of her sketchbook. In the daylight, maybe she could work on a new dress, something special for her bonbon friend.
“When do you think your parents will notice your absence, Miss Croome.”
“It must be at least two in the morning. The party at my parents may have just ended. Papa will think I was pouting when I did not appear to stand by my mother to cut her cake. Seeing me absent probably made Papa furious. Good.”
“Hmm. You want him to be more furious?”
She didn’t want to tell Bex all the sordid details, but she had to say something. “He disappointed me most cruelly with his deceit and then arranged a marriage without my consent.”
“So, I’ll be your first act of revenge? I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Is it so wrong to expect your father to be honest and true?”
Bex cleared his throat as he turned onto a darker path. “No, that is reasonable. I didn’t have to worry too much about that. My father was a vicar, and I think honesty was a requirement of the position.”
“My butler, Clancy, might have assumed from my packed bag that I left with my friend, Mrs. Fitzwilliam-Cecil. Maybe you and I will be wed before my parents discover I’ve run away.”
Bex yawned, fully and loud. It was the third one he’d released, but this one he did not fight to hide. “We’ll stop soon to change horses. I hadn’t planned on eloping today. My schedule was a busy one. Perhaps, we can spend the night at a coaching inn. Then start again at first light.”
Her heart thumped at the thought of staying alone with him unmarried. Being on the road, they had a mission to keep them focused. What would happen between them if they stopped? What if one of Papa’s business associates saw? What if they were caught? Ester would be shamed. “Can’t we go farther?”
This time he stretched an arm. “I’ll try, but we are going to have to stop at some point.”
“Bex, are you prepared for the difficulties we’ll face at coaching inns outside of London? Faces like mine are less seen. It could be more difficult to securetworooms.” She emphasized the need for two rooms because they weren’t married yet, and he may not be fully aware of the issues presented with traveling together.
“You don’t have to be alarmed. I intend to taketworooms until we are married.”
She wanted to smile at him, but he stared ahead.
“Miss Croome, there is a flint in my pocket. Can you get it and light the lantern? It’s going to get darker before we get to a coaching inn.”
She did as he said but couldn’t find it.
“My coat pocket, Miss Croome. I’ve no pockets at my thigh.”
She lifted her hands as if they’d caught fire, and he laughed so hard the phaeton swerved.
“You are a treasure, Miss Croome. Will you always be this nervous about me?” He reached into his jacket pocket and grabbed matchsticks and flint. “Here.”
