“But… but I am an Earl,” Lord Wellbridge said slowly, his brows now so heavy over his eyes, they put shadows there. “He is only a Viscount. Why would you…. Ah, I understand.” He shook his head. “Yes, I will admit that Lord Yeatman has a great deal of wealth, but my fortune is also quite substantial.”
The carriage continued to make its way through London, and Emma looked out of the window, aware of just how quickly her heart was pounding as she struggled to find an answer to give him – an answer that would force him to turn around and bring her back from where he had left her.
“Lord Wellbridge,” she said, firmly, lacing her fingers together and squeezing them tight. “It is not to do with Lord Yeatman’s fortune, nor his title. Rather, it is because I think so very highly of him. He is kindness itself, has shown me nothing but generosity of spirit and–”
“All of whichIcan offer you also!” Lord Wellbridge exclaimed, reaching to put his hand on top of hers, though Emma pulled hers away. This, unfortunately, left his hand on her knee, and given the smile on his face, it did not seem that he was willing to give her even the smallest opportunity to escape him. “We do not know each other particularly well as yet, so you cannot compare me to Lord Yeatman. However, I promise you that I can be all that he is to you – and more!”
“No.” Emma shook her head, tears beginning to burn in the corners of her eyes though she blinked quickly to push them back. “No, Lord Wellbridge. Though I can see that you are genuine in your attempts to convince me of your suitability, my mind is still made up. I chose Lord Yeatman, and I choose him again, despite your offer.”
Lord Wellbridge’s face went very red indeed. His eyes narrowed and he pulled his hand back, his jaw tightening hard.
“This will not do,” he said, eventually as Emma’s breath grew quick and fast. “This will notdo, Miss Fairley! I cannot accept it. Iwill notaccept it. We will continue to my townhouse and, thereafter, you will be convinced of my suitability.”
“Please, Lord Wellbridge.” The tears she had been fighting now began to run down Emma’s cheeks though she quickly swiped them away. “My reputation is already damaged by being in your company alone. Please, do not risk it any further. It is not fair of you to do such a thing to me, it is notright.”
“We will be able to court and eventually wed,” Lord Wellbridge told her. “Your reputation, though it may be a little damaged by this incident, will not affect the outcome. I am sure that you understand and, though you may not be particularly pleased at this moment, I can promise you that you will find happiness again very soon.” He folded his arms across his chest and turned his gaze to the window, refusing to look at her. “I will have you as my bride, Miss Fairley. It may happen a little more quickly than I had anticipated but if that is what must happen, then so be it.”
“No,” Emma whispered, looking at the carriage door and wondering if she could make her escape, though jumping from a moving carriage was not at all a wise idea, she knew. “Please, do not do this, Lord Wellbridge. Return me to Lord Yeatman and my mother. I do not want to court you. I do not want to wed you! The only person I care for is Lord Yeatman and I can promise you, he will not care one iota about this. Please, if there is any true tenderness of feeling within your heart for me, then–”
“No!”
Lord Wellbridge’s face was scarlet as he swiped the air between them with his hand, cutting her off completely.
“I have made my decision,” he hissed, as the carriage began to slow though they were not anywhere near his townhouse as yet. “I will not have another word of protest from you, MissFairley. You will soon see that there is nothing to be gained by it. I always get what I want and, in this case, what I want is you.”
Emma swallowed her tears, wiped her eyes, and shifted across the carriage so she was sitting as far from Lord Wellbridge as she could. Her heart was pounding furiously, her whole body shaking but her mind was clear. This was a truly desperate situation, but one where shehadto find her way out. If she did nothing, then Lord Wellbridge would gain what he sought, and she would be left without a single modicum of happiness. What she had shared with Lord Yeatman would be broken apart, never to be recovered, and Emma cared about the gentleman too much to let that happen.
I must escape,she told herself, glancing across at Lord Wellbridge and seeing him remaining just as he had been, looking steadfastly out of the other window. Jumping from the moving carriage would not be a wise idea unless she wished to twist or break her ankle, but how else could she escape him?
At that moment, the carriage began to slow, and Emma heard what seemed to be a few distant shouts. She barely glanced at Lord Wellbridge, her eyes going to the door as she forced courage into her limbs. The trembling did not cease completely but it gave her enough conviction that she could do what was required.
It is my only chance,she told herself, as the carriage slowed all the more though did not stop entirely.I must go now!
Taking in a steadying breath, Emma blew it out slowly and then, in one swift movement, reached for the door. It opened and she flung it back, only to hear Lord Wellbridge shout her name. Pushing herself up, she tried to get to it, tried to leap from it to the cobbled street beneath, but Lord Wellbridge caught her arm and shouted her name again.
“Release me!”
A scream lodged in her throat as she grasped at the doorframe of the carriage, pulling herself as hard as she could away from Lord Wellbridge. Lord Wellbridge rapped hard on the roof and then, with his other hand, pulled her bodily back to the seat.
She had failed.
The door to the carriage was pulled open and another figure climbed inside.
“Release her, Wellbridge!”
Emma let out a cry of relief as Lord Yeatman’s frame filled the carriage, coming between her and Lord Wellbridge. She did not want to ask what he had done, or how he had found her; all she could feel was relief.
“Now!”
Emma could not quite see what had happened, her vision was a little blurred at the edges given the shock and fright that ran through her. Hearing Lord Wellbridge’s howl of pain, she blinked furiously, feeling his hand release from her arm.
“Come, Emma.”
Lord Yeatman’s hand was gentle as it took hers though she grasped it firmly, letting him take her to the door. He stepped out first and then helped her down, the carriage having come to a standstill.
The moment she stood on the ground, his arms were around her.
“Thank God, I found you.” His voice was hoarse as he held her close and Emma sagged against him, tears threatening all over again. “I did not think… I was afraid that–”
