Henry reached the carriage and flung open the door, tossing the valise inside. Behind him a lantern lit the darkness and a voice he knew well said, “Not even saying goodbye?”
Henry turned and saw his mother standing beside Ellsworth, who held the lantern. She was completely dressed, all the way to her coiffure, which was perfect.
“Goodbye, Mama.” Henry kissed her cheek. “Lady Katherine and I are eloping to Gretna Green now.”
“As I see.” She made a show of bowing her head to Katie. Then she looked at Henry. “I should have never allowed you inside. I knew you’d cause trouble. I’m only sorry you dragged this gel into it.” She reached out a hand, and Katie took it.
“I love him, Your Grace. I don’t mind the trouble.”
Henry might have added that it sounded as though the trouble was rapidly approaching, and they should be on their way.
“Ha! You will mind it,” his mother said, unhelpfully. “Mark my words. Your father will be right on your heels.”
“Then we’d better take our leave,” Henry said, pulling Katie toward the carriage. He paused long enough to kiss his mother on both cheeks. “I love you, Mama.”
“I love you too.”
He heard her murmuridiotas he climbed in after Katie. Henry rapped on the roof, and the carriage started away just as the staff from Carlisle Hall came into view. Henry watched out the back window to see the duchess retreat inside, leaving Ellsworth to deal with the commotion. Henry smiled as he saw Ellsworth cup a hand to his ear, pretending not to hear what was said. Henry slunk down into the squabs and let his head fall back.
He had approximately ten seconds to enjoy his victory before Katie said, “That was exciting. Excuse me while I cast up my accounts.”
Henry looked about wildly for a pail or receptacle to aid Katie, but, finding nothing, hastily lowered the window so she might receive fresh air. Or at least dispose of the contents of her stomach outside the coach.
“I’m fine now,” she said, inhaling deeply. “I haven’t had anything but tea all evening, so I haven’t much to lose.”
“Too much excitement?” he asked, putting his arm around her when she sat back again.
“The excitement coupled with the sudden realization that I’ve just left my family and the only world I’ve ever known to put my life in your hands.”
“That’s enough to make anyone queasy,” he said.
She laughed. “You are not supposed to agree with me. You are supposed to tell me everything will be fine and that you’ll take care of me and that there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say there’s nothing to worry about—”
“Carlisle!”
He jumped. “Everything will be fine. I’ll take care of you. There’s not much to worry about.”
“Are you eventrying, Carlisle?”
“Believe it or not, I have a plan.”
She gave him a wary look. “Why does that frighten me?”
“It’s insurance against your father shooting me either before or after we reach Gretna Green.”
“What sort of insurance?”
He reached into his waistcoat and pulled out the documents they’d found in the library days before. “I’ll agree to sign the vineyard in France over to him. That’s what he’s always wanted. I have to hope he’ll trade you for the property.”
She sat up straight. “No, Carlisle. That’syourproperty. You need it to negotiate the return of your estate.”
“Perhaps I can have both, but you’re the priority now.” To his surprise, the words were true. She was his now, and he was not giving her up, even if it meant giving her wretched father the last thing of value he possessed.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice a mere whisper. She cleared her throat. “Do you, er, have an idea of the land’s value yet?”
“No. I’m not on the best terms with my solicitor. I wrote to him anyway. I have no idea if he will respond. If he does, my mother will forward the correspondence.”
