Love's Guardian (32 page)

She’d been an amusement for him these last few weeks. But his attentiveness had seemed so real. Did he care about her even a little? She hoped so. Would he forget her when she was gone? A knot formed in her stomach.

Perhaps.

You’ll come to hate him.
She ran her hands over her face, then dragged her fingers through her hair. If she stayed, she would come to resent his indifference. She didn’t want to hate him, any more than she’d wanted to love him, but you didn’t always have a choice. For both their sakes, she needed to walk away. If she were lucky, one day she’d be able to think of him without pain.

She sat up and turned the bracelet on her wrist as she pondered her options. If she returned to Oakleigh Manor, Declan would only track her down and make her marry him. His pride and imagined debt to her grandfather would never allow him to let her be.

Eleanor would be on Declan’s side, even without knowing they’d made love. She’d see it as a sensible solution, not realizing the damage a one-sided relationship would inflict on her.

Then there was Luther’s threat. No, she couldn’t go to Oakleigh, at least not yet.

Perhaps she could find a way to blend into London. At least for a little while, until Declan searched for her elsewhere and it was safe to return home.

Once she got to Oakleigh, she’d need to find a husband if she intended to stay. She hugged her stomach, the thought of someone else touching her, as Declan had, made her feel ill.

The problem was, she didn’t have any contacts here. She suspected Lady Bradford, Anna, or Morgan would be willing to help, once they knew the circumstances, but it wouldn’t be fair to put them in the middle. No, she had to do this on her own.

If she was going to keep her estates, she needed to marry. But where could she find a husband at this late date? What she needed was time, and a place to hide.

She crossed to the window and watched the servants scurrying to and fro in the garden as they strung the Japanese lanterns for the ball. All she wanted to do was go home to Oakleigh Manor. The only home left to her after...

A shiver of excitement passed through her. Was
The Merry Elizabeth
still in dock? Paddy would understand and help her to escape. They could set sail before anyone missed her.

Fear, regret, and hope swirled within her until she wasn’t really sure how she felt about leaving. Her plan might work, but if she went forward with the activities this evening, Declan would become a laughing stock when she left. She’d need to leave tonight,
before
the engagement.

She crossed to her writing desk, slipped a sheet of parchment from a drawer, then removed the glass stopper from the ink. With short, even strokes, she penned a note to Paddy explaining the situation and asking for his help, preferably tonight.

As she dusted the missive, she thanked God that her mother had insisted those who wished to learn to read and write on board
The Merry Elizabeth
be given the opportunity to do so. Paddy had been proud about his ability, and it would stand her in good stead now.

For once, her maid answered her bell. “Mary, would you have this taken to the captain of
The Merry Elizabeth
right away?” It was already the middle of the afternoon. If she heard from Paddy in the next couple of hours, she’d be able to go tonight. “Have the messenger wait for a reply and let me know as soon as he returns.”

“Yes, milady.” Mary bobbed a curtsey and headed for the door.

“And Mary, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention this to anyone. It’s concerning a surprise for Lord Worthington.”

Mary glanced back over her shoulder. “As you wish, milady.” She scurried from the room.

There, that should keep her maid from spreading any tales until she could leave. The waiting would be the hard part. God willing,
The Merry Elizabeth
was still in port.

She didn’t know how much her already taut nerves could take. At the bottom of her wardrobe, she found the shirt and breeches, which had lain unused during her trip to London. They would be useful if she hoped to slip through the dark undetected.

Concentrating on the details of her departure, she sorted through what money, jewelry, and clothing she should take, then secured them in a bundle and stuck them under the bed. The task kept her from thinking about what she was doing.

And, whom she would be leaving behind.

“You’ve done well, Mary.” Luther rubbed his fingers along the soft edge of the parchment as he read Alex’s missive a second time. “You were correct in your assumption I would find this valuable.”

Mary’s plain features brightened at the praise. “I had no idea wot she wrote, but she seemed right upset. I been watching her after Lady Edwards left, just like you told me to.”

He studied the pathetic servant in front of him. What made her so desperate for money? Ultimately, he supposed it didn’t matter. Greed was a useful weakness. It always amazed him what a human being would stoop to for the glitter of gold. “Wait a moment.”

He left her standing at the door as he strode across the shabby carpet, heading for his desk. His mouth narrowed into a thin line as he surveyed his surroundings. They were demeaning for the true Lord of Lochsdale. Threadbare curtains hung at the windows, matching the rest of the furnishings in his solitary room. It was all he could afford.

At one time The Sage Knight had been a respectable inn. Now it was no longer frequented by Society, their interest caught by grander, newer inns in other parts of London.

He hated the place. Even his clothes, his beautiful clothes, had come to smell of the stench of the kitchen as odors wafted up the back hall.

With quill poised, he considered a moment before scribbling a reply to Alex’s note. It was mandatory he get his hands on her tonight, before the Announcement.

Catrina had obviously done well. Even so, the man he had posted to watch the house after his accomplice’s little visit had been for naught. He’d hoped Alex would run blindly out of Worthington’s home and he could easily take her. Leave it to the bitch to be unpredictable, but this might work to his advantage yet.

He hoped Alex didn’t know the captain’s writing. In a few brief sentences, he penned instructions to meet by the back gate of the garden at eleven tonight. He crossed to the maid and handed her the folded missive. “Take this back to Lady Lochsdale and make sure you aren’t seen.”

“Yes, my lord.” Mary continued to stand in the doorway, tugging on the fringe of her tattered shawl. “Beggin’ your pardon my lord, but could you tell me when I might be receivin’ me money?”

Outrage caused his breath to quicken. When he was lord at Oakleigh Manor, he’d never allow anyone to question him again. He gave her a look he’d used effectively on many a cowering servant, including the women he’d taken to his bed. “I’ve told you. As soon as I wed Lady Lochsdale, you will be amply rewarded. Now go.”

Mary turned to leave, but he laid a restraining hand on her arm. The soft white of his skin appeared refined compared to the rough wool of the woman’s shawl. Satisfaction swept through him. His was a gentleman’s hand.

“I would suggest you leave Worthington’s household after you deliver the note. Can you imagine his fury if he finds out you had anything to do with this?”

Apprehension filled the woman’s eyes, and he smiled. “I see that you do. I’ll be in touch when I have your money. Until then, I suggest you keep out of sight.”

He watched as the servant disappeared around the corner of the hallway. Her speedy retreat and slightly hunched shoulders were a testament to his control.

Sauntering down the main hallway, he began to whistle a soft, tuneless song, the notes reverberating in the empty space. Now to find the landlord, so he could provide a messenger. A meeting with Spider in person would be a risk, but it was necessary. Even if Worthington’s men were following him, it didn’t matter. He’d eluded them before.

Mary’s usefulness was at an end, and he didn’t want anyone able to prove Alex had not come with him of her own free will.

Spider should be able to take care of Mary in time to help him in the garden. He smirked, remembering Spider’s outrage at Alex’s escape. There was no doubt he’d want to help with her recapture.

In spite of the very satisfying progress concerning his petition, he didn’t intend to let his little cousin go unpunished for the way she had treated him all these years. As his wife, she’d have many long nights wishing she’d shown some respect.

The little fool had played right into his hands. He’d intended to use
The Merry Elizabeth
to make his escape. In fact, that part of his plan had already been put in motion. It’s not as if he were stealing the ship. It already belonged to him, but now his intended bride would go with him.

Of course, if his petition were granted, there would be no need to make her his bride. He slipped out his snuffbox as he approached the main room of the inn. Raucous laughter filled the air. He inhaled a pinch of white powder, waited for the slight tickle in his nose to subside, then entered the room, attempting to ignore the menial laborers around him.

A small smile played on his lips when he noted the wary looks from the men at the table closest to him. He returned the thin silver box to his pocket and stared at them. They looked down. These men knew how to respect their betters. Pleased, he rearranged his embroidered turned back cuffs.

His little cousin had better hope his petition didn’t pass. If that happened, Alex would have to be very nice to him if she wanted to stay alive.