Chapter Ten

Charlotte could not rest. She paced the length of her room, stopping to peek out of her window at the street to see if Hugh had arrived. Her stomach knotted in anticipation of his arrival. She could not believe that by this time tomorrow, she would be married. It seemed absurd. She hardly knew Hugh Warsham. She touched the tender spot on her neck. Yet, she couldn't bear to think of life without him. She wasn't so naive as to think this was love; she hadn't known him long enough for that. But it held the promise of love. She closed her eyes and relived the feel of Hugh's hand on her face as he studied her features. She relived the taste of his tongue, the heat of his breath, and the delirious pleasure she'd felt as he devoured her neck.

She'd never been that close to any man before, and she couldn't imagine being so intimate with any other man. The thought of Lucas touching her in that way repulsed her. She'd join a nunnery before she married him.

"I never dreamed that I wouldn't be at your wedding." Lady Rose, who'd been busy checking Charlotte's carpet bag to ensure her daughter had everything she needed, came to stand next to Charlotte.

"I know; I didn't either." Charlotte reached for her mother's hand. "And I fear Papa's reaction. What if this marriage has the opposite effect than what we intend? What if his heart can't take it and—"

"Don't forget that your papa is my husband, Charlotte. I know him, and I know that nothing is more important to him than his family. He will be happy because you are happy and that will keep his heart strong. And when he meets Hugh and realizes that he has not lost a daughter but gained a son, he will be even happier and grow even stronger."

Charlotte squeezed her mother's hand. "Perhaps we can have a proper wedding celebration when we return home. I want you and Papa to be a part of my wedding, even if it's after the fact."

"Oh, yes. We most certainly will do that." She cleared her throat. "But speaking of marriage, I feel I must say something to you about your wedding night. It can be rather intimidating—even frightening—for some young women. Although I daresay you will be more prepared than others, considering the liberties you permitted Hugh to take at the Lyon's Den."

Charlotte sucked in her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling. "I'm sorry, Mama. I couldn't help myself—no one told me kissing a man could feel so wonderful," Charlotte said, purposefully omitting the fact that she'd permitted Hugh quite a few more liberties than simply kissing.

"I'm glad to hear that, my sweet. Too many women fear their wedding night and are so startled by the events that they never learn to enjoy the marital act. Instead, they spend their lives enduring it because they believe it is their duty and because it results in motherhood."

Charlotte stared at her mother. She could not quite believe what she was hearing. "You are not ashamed of me, then?" She'd never heard a woman talk about enjoying intimacies of the flesh. Perhaps these things were only said before one's wedding night.

"No, indeed, I am happy for you. Of course, I do not approve of your kissing Mr. Warsham the way you did, but as you are to be Mrs. Warsham, none of it matters now."

"And when you say, ‘the marital act,' what do you mean by that? There will be kissing, I know as much, but…" Charlotte remembered Hugh's hand on her breast, and a rush of pleasure passed through her. If he'd done that to her in the garden, what would he do in the bedroom?

"Well," Mrs. Warsham said, "don't be alarmed but, since he is your husband, he is permitted—and will likely want to…see and touch your body…naked."

"And I will be permitted—expected—to see and touch his naked body too," Charlotte said in wonder. She knew there was a difference, of course, but it had never mattered much to her until now.

"Yes," Lady Rose said, "but you needn't worry. If you love each other, then it is nothing to fear. And, if you are lucky, you will be blessed with many beautiful children."

Charlotte pressed her lips together to stop herself from smiling. She didn't fear it. It was all she'd been able to think about since meeting Hugh. She'd felt the hardness of his manhood against her when they'd kissed, and it had excited her. But she understood why some women might feel fearful on their wedding nights. If they had entered a marriage of convenience and felt no attraction or affection for their husbands, then the act of marriage would be something to dread. Again, the thought of intimacy with someone like Lucas made her shudder.

"Are you cold, dear? Shall I fetch your coat?"

"No, I'm quite all right, Mama. It's only that I'm feeling a bit anxious. Shouldn't he be here already? What if he's changed his mind?" The thought made her throat swell up.

"He hasn't," Lady Rose said.

"How do you know? Do you see his carriage?" Charlotte pushed her face closer to the window and peered out.

"It's not yet time; he said two hours past midnight." Lady Rose put an arm around her daughter. "Oh Charlotte, it's perfectly normal to feel anxious before your wedding day. But I saw how he looked at you tonight. He couldn't take his eyes off you. I can assure you that he will be here."

As if her mother's faith in Hugh had conjured him, Charlotte spotted two spots of light moving up the street. Before long, a black carriage with two candle lanterns affixed to each side came into view. Charlotte held her breath as it rolled to a stop outside her Mayfair townhome.

"It's him." Charlotte squeezed her mother's hand. "I must go downstairs."

"I will take you down and see you safely in the carriage," Lady Rose said. "Let me get your coat. And remember to put the hood up. We can't take any chances of someone spotting you."

Charlotte slipped on her coat, even though she no longer felt the cold. Her skin tingled with excitement at the prospect of climbing into the carriage with Hugh and driving away to Gretna Green where she would become his wife.

"Just one more thing before we go." Lady Rose reached into her skirt pocket and withdrew several banknotes. "Take these." She pressed them into Charlotte's hand. "No matter what anyone else tells you, a woman should never be without a little money of her own."

"Thank you, Mama!" Charlotte embraced her mother.

They crept downstairs,secure in the knowledge that Sir Benedict slept soundly after taking a dose of sleeping draught at Mama's suggestion, and, upon opening the front door, were surprised to see a coachman, his livery hidden under a black cloak, waiting on the portico.

"Good evening, m'ladies," he spoke in a whisper. "Mr. Warsham has asked me to escort Miss Rose to his carriage. He didn't think it prudent to step out himself, lest someone see him."

"Thank you. That's very wise," Lady Rose said. "I was going to escort her there myself."

"Mr. Warsham insists I do it, ma'am. He will not endanger your ladyship by having you out alone so late at night. It will be much safer for you to stand here and watch her safely ensconced in the carriage."

"Yes, that's true. It is very thoughtful of Mr. Warsham, indeed," she said, handing Charlotte's carpetbag to the coachman. Then she turned to her daughter, "Remember all that I have told you, my love. And don't worry about your papa or General Warsham. Mrs. Warsham and I will take care of everything. Then we will all celebrate the union of our children and the joining of our families.

Charlotte threw her arms around her mother and kissed her cheek. "Oh, Mama, I'm so happy, my heart feels as though it will burst."

Charlotte followed the driver across the street, eagerly awaiting the moment she'd be seated next to Hugh, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

The driver opened the coach door, and a gloved hand extended from inside to help her up. Expecting to see Hugh, she drew back in horror when she saw Lucas sitting in the carriage. But it was too late. She turned to call for her Mama, just as the carriage door slammed in her face, silencing her scream.

"It's no use screaming, Charlotte." Lucas grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her roughly toward him. "No one is coming to save you. I've made certain of that."

"What have you done to Hugh?" She clawed Lucas's face, causing him to loosen his grip on her, and giving herself enough time to turn, bang her fists against the window, and scream for help just as the carriage jerked forward, whisking her away.

Hugh paced thestreet outside his townhome and cursed his driver. The man was late, even though he'd given him strict instructions to have the carriage ready two hours after midnight for a long journey to Gretna Green. He'd ordered fresh horses, who'd been sufficiently fed and rested. Perhaps there'd been a problem with one of the horses? Whatever the reason for his tardiness, he'd better provide a good explanation.

The clip-clop of horseshoes sounded in his ears, and he looked up to see his carriage careening around the corner. The driver yanked on the reins and the horses whinnied and slowed to a stop.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Warsham," the driver said as he hopped down. "But I had a bit of trouble with my stomach." The man rubbed his girth. "I must have eaten something bad."

Hugh frowned, somewhat taken aback by the man's very personal explanation. "Are you well enough now to undertake such a long drive? Our first stop to change the horses won't be for at least fifteen or twenty miles."

"Yes, sir. Nothing to worry about; I am quite well now."

Hugh nodded, and somewhat embarrassed for the man who hopped quickly into the carriage.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Audley Street and parked discreetly away from the streetlights near the Roses' Mayfair home.

Hugh peered out of the carriage window and waited. Charlotte would be looking out for his carriage and come outside. That was the plan, at least, but after several minutes, she did not appear. He hopped out of the carriage and looked up at the dark house. Just then, he caught a glimpse of a light and a face in an upper window. Someone, holding an oil lamp, had just looked out. He sighed his relief. Charlotte would be on her way down.

Seconds later, the door opened, and Lady Rose rushed outside, carrying a lantern.

"Mr. Warsham! It is you! Oh, heaven help us!"

"What's the matter? You were expecting me were you not? Where is Charlotte?"

"Taken!"

A wave of horror washed over him. "What? I don't understand."

"A carriage arrived half an hour ago. The driver came to the door to escort Charlotte to your carriage—that's what he said. But when they drove away, Charlotte appeared in the carriage window, and her face looked—well, frightened. I told myself I was being silly, and not to worry, but something felt wrong. So, I stayed by her bedroom window and waited. I knew if you came along, then both you and Charlotte had been tricked."

"By whom? How? No one knew about our plans, did they?"

"I think it must have been Lucas. He's always been the vindictive, sneaky sort. He must have guessed that you and Charlotte planned to elope before he could speak to Sir Benedict tomorrow."

"But how did he know the time Charlotte was expecting me—" Hugh stopped mid-sentence. Then he turned and strode to his carriage. "Bastard!" he shouted.

The driver leaped down from the carriage and attempted to escape, but Hugh was faster and stronger than the portly driver. He caught the man by the collar of his coat and dragged him back to the carriage.

"Speak," he said, slamming the driver against the carriage.

"He paid me—it was a lot of money—my mother is sick; I needed the money." Despite the cold, beads of perspiration appeared on the driver's forehead.

"He paid you to do what?" Hugh grabbed the man by the cravat. "Arrive late and feign illness?"

The man nodded.

"Is that all?" Hugh said between gritted teeth.

"No, I was to divert your route, or drive into a ditch, so you would be too late in catching up with him." The man blinked. "Please, sir, I didn't do it. I couldn't. The young lady…I'm sorry."

Hugh shook him by the lapels. Apologies meant nothing at this moment. He was beyond forgiveness. "And where was he going?"

"Gretna Green, sir."

Hugh let go of the man. "Gretna Green! He means to force her to marry him."

Lady Rose gasped.

He turned back to the driver. "Get back into your seat. And if you so much as stall because of a bump in the road, I'll thrash you until every bone in your body breaks!"

"You won't getaway with this, Lucas! My papa will have your head on a platter!" Charlotte prayed silently that her mother had seen her bang on the window and heard her cries for help.

Lucas snorted. "Your papa will thank me for preventing you from marrying his enemy's son."

"What are you going to do, lock me away? Until when? Where are you taking me?"

"I don't wish to lock you away, Charlotte. You are going to Gretna Green as planned where you will keep your promise to me and become my wife."

"I made no such promise to you, Lucas. And I won't marry you. You can force me to the altar, but you cannot force me to take vows."

"It's either me or the nunnery for you. Once you've spent the night with me at an inn, no man will take you."

"You don't plan to keep me in the same room with you?"

"Indeed, I do. I can't risk you escaping, Charlotte. But don't worry, I won't touch you, not until we are wed."

"I won't marry you. I'd die first."

He shrugged. "Then you force my hand."

"To do what?" The hairs on the back of Charlotte's neck lifted and her heartbeat accelerated.

"To make you unchaste for any other man."

Charlotte's breathing shallowed. Dizziness and nausea overcame her. Lucas is plainly mad. I must find a way to escape.

She said nothing more, knowing it was pointless trying to argue with Lucas. There was no way out of the locked carriage, but Gretna Green was at least a full day's coach ride away, and they would need to stop to eat and change the horses. Then, I shall get my chance.

The hours of waiting were agonizing. Charlotte kept her back turned to Lucas and laid her head to rest on the leather carriage seat. There were a few moments of blessed sleep, providing her with a much-needed respite from the horror of her situation, but the road was too bumpy and uneven for slumber to last unchecked.

When the carriage finally rolled to a stop outside a blacksmith that stood adjacent to an inn, Charlotte pretended to wake. Holding her stomach, she said, "I'm starving. I hope you intend to do the gentlemanly thing and allow me a meal before we continue this journey."

Lucas's thin lips curled into a reptilian smile. "Of course, but only if you promise to behave yourself. Remember, people don't look kindly on hysterical women, and if you start screaming, I will lock you in this carriage for the next two hundred and ninety miles. Do you understand?"

Charlotte nodded. "I promise. All I want is some food. Then I will feel much better. You will have no trouble from me once I am satiated."

Lucas grunted. "I believe it. Just like horses, women. A firm hand and a full belly are all it takes to tame you."

Charlotte bit back her retort, gritting her teeth so hard her jaw ached.

Patience, she reminded herself. Stay calm. The chance to escape will come as soon as he lets down his guard.