Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom(163)

Well, there had been another question, too, one that loomed over everything—how could she leave Griffin, the man she’d fallen in love with? The man she would likely never see again.

And even if she did, would Griffin want anything to do with her? Justine couldn’t decide whether he would be furious that she’d run away or relieved that he’d rid himself of two unwelcome responsibilities. Whatever the answer, she suspected he’d want nothing more to do with her. Her marriage was over, and the sooner she learned to accept that, the better.

Eventually, once the baby was safe and she settled on where she wished to live, Justine’s life would return to normal. Everything would be fine again, she supposed, although she no longer had any idea what fine would look like without Griffin Steele in her life.

Fighting the impulse to succumb to overwrought tears, she focused on the drowsing baby by gently rocking his cradle. Stephen was all that mattered now. She’d made a promise to Chloe—and herself—that she would allow no harm to come to him. Whatever she had to do to accomplish that goal, she was prepared to do it.

Letting out a weary sigh, she let her gaze wander around the small but cozy room tucked up under the eaves of the small inn, finally coming to rest on the bed. Not that she’d likely have any use for the comfortable-looking, four-poster with its homespun, fluffy quilts. Chloe had promised to join her shortly before nightfall. Then they would be on their way again, traveling north in a hired chaise to put as much distance between themselves and Count Marzano as they could. It was nerve-wracking to be sure, but so far all had gone according to plan.

Justine still couldn’t believe the relative ease with which she’d escaped, especially while toting a squirming baby and an overstuffed carpetbag. Chloe had assured her that a private chaise would be waiting around the corner from the house on Jermyn Street, ready to carry her and Stephen out of the city. All she had to do was return home, fetch the baby, and sneak out of the house.

Her heart in her throat, Justine had done just that. She’d simply waited for Rose to go out and for the rest of the servants to be absorbed in their duties at the back of the house. Her greatest fear had been that she would stumble into Griffin. Justine had never been a good liar, and she knew she had no chance of fooling her husband. Especially since part of her—a very big part—wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms and beg for his help.

But after everything that had occurred over the last few days, she knew how dangerous it would be to give in to her weakness for him. She could no longer trust either Griffin or Dominic. That left her feeling more alone than at any other time in her life, even after the dark days following her father’s death.

So, instead of asking for help from the husband who’d shown her nothing but respect and kindness, she’d stuffed necessities and some clothing into the carpetbag, wrapped the baby in a warm blanket, and snuck out of the house. And in doing so, she had once again altered her life in a way she could never have imagined. There was little doubt in her mind that marriage to Griffin Steele had changed her, and perhaps not for the better. She barely recognized herself for the calm, careful woman she used to be.

When the clock in the nearby church tower struck the hour, she glanced toward the window, frowning at the fading light. If Chloe didn’t arrive soon, it might be too late to start out. That thought sent anxiety crawling along her nerves.

She was trying to decide whether to order a light meal—she hadn’t eaten all day—when she heard the rumble of a carriage. Jumping up, she hurried to the window. Unfortunately, her room was at the side of the building, affording only a sliver of a view of the carriage yard in front of the main entrance. Although she could hear the stamping of horses and gruff male voices, she couldn’t see a thing.