“Hold!” the captain shouted to a sailor. “One last passenger to board.”
Harriet heaved out a breath of relief.
She hurried onto the ship before the captain could change his mind again and handed him the pouch.
“How long until we arrive at our destination?” Harriet asked the captain, a short, stocky man with a thick beard.
“A month, miss, permitting the weather favors the voyage.”
Speaking of destinations.“Where exactly is the ship docking?”
“Charleston, miss.”
Ah good. Rohan had business in Charleston.
When she arrived, she could secure a room in the local inn until she found him. He might be at sea, but no matter, she could wait. Then he could help her with this wretched situation. Shewould need it if Leeds did not show any inclination to fight for her hand. And maybe even if he did.
This was by far the boldest thing she’d ever done. However, she had to take a stand. For her promise, yes, and to show her father that they couldn’t treat her as nothing more than a bit of business to be transacted. Of course, she understood arranged marriages, but being informed on the day of your wedding that you’re about to be wedded? This was not to be borne!
There were lines. Lines not even a parent should cross.
And honestly, she probably would not have gone this far if not for Leeds. While he did not appear to be a man easily deterred, showing up out of the blue with a special license and a priest? What was that if not suspicious? Why was the man so dead set on marrying her and doing it today?
Speaking purely practically, she supposed she could do worse than marry the Marquess of Leeds even though he was nothing she wanted in a man. As a matter of fact, he was the exact opposite of what she wanted—he was bossy, intimidating, and had questionable morals.
She preferred a man whose essence spoke of love, caring, and good character.
What had her father been thinking?
The captain motioned to a sailor overseeing the gangway being lifted, drawing her from her inward rant. “Brett will show you to your cabin once he’s done.”
She nodded her thanks, turning to lean against the railing and watch the bustle of the docks below. Only once they’d cleared away that plank, that last connection between land and ship, did the reality of her actions set in.
I’m leaving England.
She was on a ship bound for the Americas.
She firmed her shoulders along with her resolve. She would write to her parents as soon as she arrived in Charleston. Thenshe would wait to see if Leeds followed or not. If he crossed the ocean to collect her himself, she would reconsider the man. If he ordered her home, she would do so, but only once her parents called off the betrothal. Perhaps she might even return with an American husband.
Harriet smiled at the thought.
Who was to say that this might not be the start of the most magical romantic adventure of her life?
In the distance, a black carriage led by two proud black horses rolled onto the docks. Harriet tensed for a moment before relaxing again. The crest on the door did not belong to her family. But for some reason, she could not tear her gaze away from the scene.
A scary premonition filled her.
No, it couldn’t be.
Who could predict that she would ever board a ship bound for another country? Not Leeds. The man knew nothing about her. Unless... had someone spotted her on her way to the docks? She had told no one of her plan. Not even her lady’s maid.
Harriet held her breath as the horses came to a halt and the carriage door was flung open. A man emerged. Tall, broad, and most certainly the very rogue she was running from.
Harriet dropped to her haunches in an attempt to be less visible, her heart pounding in her ears.
How had he guessed?
Inhaling a deep breath, she cautiously peeked over the taffrail with two wide eyes. He was there, speaking to a man in shabby clothing who suddenly pointed at her ship.
