Treacherous Temptations(61)

“I could hardly disagree,” Mary replied. She had found him unusually attractive—in an odd feline sort of way. “But we barely exchanged three words.”

“He already knew everything of import before he came to call.”

“You refer to my fortune.”

The countess tilted her head with a subtle smile. “And I daresay he is in great need of the bolster you will provide to his coffers. Truly, all that remained was for him to see that you are not altogether repulsive, and whether you would be suitable to bear his heirs.”

Mary strained to contain the heat of her reply. “Am I to assume that I passed muster?”

“Indeed so,” Lady Blanchard nodded. “I expect Sir Richard will deliver the happy news forthwith. It is quite a coup for one of your class, you know. Barnesley holds one of the oldest baronies in England, however impoverished it has become. Did I not promise to secure you the best husband of the lot?”

“You are too kind, my lady.”

“But it is nothing, child.”

“Where is the Barony of Oldham?”

“Somewhere to the north,” the countess waved her hand in a vague gesture. “It is a very old estate that no doubt shall require extensive refurbishment. I daresay that should keep you exceedingly occupied as its new mistress.”

“But I thought I would return to live at Welham Grove.”

“My dear, you will live wherever your husband deems best. Barnesley is excessively proud of his heritage, but if it puts you at ease, dear child, I would be happy to accompany you there and see you settled in your new home.”

…

“What am I to do, Jenny?” Mary paced her chamber. “Even if I could nullify my marriage with Lord Hadley, I might never see Welham Grove again for they are already planning to wed me to another. If I say nothing and go through with it, I could be charged with bigamy!”

“Then you have no choice but to go with Lord Hadley,” Jenny replied. “Once you are away from this place, you can return to Welham Grove under the protection of his name. Ye needn’t worry so very much about money, for Sir Richard can hardly turn ye out of yer own house. Have ye anything of value to sell, miss? Just to get ye by for a short time?”

“There is indeed a hidden cupboard in Papa’s bedchamber where he kept some coin and other valuables. I never touched it, as there was never any need, but surely we can get by for months on what is there.”

Even as she and Jenny planned their escape, Mary’s thoughts were on her next meeting with Hadley. She despised his deceit and loathed his lies, but the thought of his handsome face evoked a miasma of confused emotions that she couldn’t begin to sort, even if she wanted to—which she didn’t. No, she was resolved to cling to her bitter disillusionment to see her through. It was the only emotion she could afford to indulge in.

When she dismissed Jenny, Mary didn’t seek her own bed but sat waiting by the light of a single candle, lost in her ruminations and endeavoring to build a wall of apathy about her shattered heart—a wall that threatened to crumble into dust the moment he entered the room.

Mary rose to greet him but made no further move. He looked haggard but his face still broke into a smile as extended his arms to take her into his embrace. Unwittingly she stiffened.

“Mary?” He halted, a question clouding his face “What’s amiss?”

“Nothing but my anxiety to be away from here,” she replied, willing steadiness to her seditious racing heart. “Have you come to take me now?”

“Yes. A packet awaits us in Gravesend. If Providence and the wind are both in our favor we’ll sail out with the morning tide.”

“Then let us not tarry.”

“Bring nothing with you,” Hadley said. “It will throw them off, at least for a short while.”

“I’m taking Jenny,” she said.

“No. You may send for her later.”

Mary set her jaw. “I refuse to go without her.”

“We haven’t time to argue about this, Mary.”

“There is no argument. Jenny comes with me.”

He scraped a hand through his hair with a groan she recognized as capitulation. “You may have your way now, but henceforth, you will do precisely as I say until we are safe across the channel.” He grasped her shoulders and Mary felt the nervous tension straining his body and saw it lining his face. “Do you understand me?” She wondered briefly if he would punctuate the question with a shake.

“Yes, Hadley,” she replied calmly.

“Good then. A carriage awaits us in the mews. Now let us go.”

Traffic was unusually light, and the horses were fresh, allowing them to set a breakneck pace that took them rapidly out of the city. Mary would have feigned sleep but the jarring and jolting of the coach over the ill-maintained post roads made the effort futile. Luckily, Jenny’s presence limited Mary and Hadley’s verbal exchange. Although she kept distance between them and avoided his eye, she thought he would likely attribute her stiffness and reserve to the anxiety of their flight.

After three and a half hours in the coach, they halted at a small inn at Swanscombe where Hadley bespoke a bedchamber and private parlor. “We are less than three miles from Gravesend,” he said. “I will leave you both to rest here for the nonce, and urge you to take advantage of the respite. The channel can be very rough and perilous at this time of year and our passage could take as little as a day or as many as three, depending on winds and current.”