She could see the black carriage with a footman standing beside an opened door, and she breathed easily, realizing they would make it away from the house without discovery. A man on horseback cantered up beside the carriage, and she recognized Lord Clarendon.
“Warming bricks and thick covers await you. We do not have far to go. We are going to Banbury’s townhouse, which, like yours, has a small gated yard in front of it for privacy. We will leave from there for the ceremony at the chapel,” Clarendon said, his gaze fixed on Charlotte.
Charlotte wanted to thank him for the presents—but not in front of Mama. When her mother’s head turned, she carefully pulled the necklace out of her collar and showed him the ring. He smiled and gave an appreciative tilt of his head. He has a nice smile.
As the carriage lurched forward, both women relaxed against the dark leather squabs.
“I feel like a girl again, slipping out under the cover of night.” Mama chortled.
What did her mother just say? “Mama, you and Papa slipped out? I should be shocked!” Charlotte feigned an indignant tone, and both women giggled. It felt good to be able to breathe, unfettered by the fear of discovery. “I admit to feeling a little nervous. I do not know him, Mama.” Charlotte worried her lip.
“Darling daughter, I am sorry to have had to play this hand, but without Papa, I feared for your safety. I overheard your uncle and Lord Burton. He is not a nice man, and I would not have wished you married to him. I had no idea what to do, not until you came home in Lord Clarendon’s carriage. It is for the best,” she added, leaning over and squeezing Charlotte’s hand.
Charlotte felt manipulated but was not angry with Mama. She was taking care of her the same way Charlotte had been taking care of Jason when she had visited Lord Clarendon.
The carriage slowed and turned into a bricked driveway. The two men handed their horses to a waiting stable hand and stood ready when the door to the carriage opened.
“Thank you, Lord Banbury. We are most appreciative,” her mother intoned as he handed her out of the carriage.
“Mama, where are we?” Jason asked, wiping his eyes and looking at the large gray stone townhouse.
“Your sister is getting married today, my darling. We are here to celebrate,” Mama answered smoothly.
“Will Uncle be coming?” he asked as he leaned toward the doorway, his voice trembling.
“No, my dear, your uncle has some appointments he must attend to,” she answered her son. “Let us go inside.” She helped him stand and handed him off to Lord Banbury, who was at the door.
Charlotte wondered about her brother’s question asked in a voice tinged with fear. She had heard Uncle address him with a sharp tone, but she wondered if there had been more unseen.
Lord Banbury placed Jason down on the brick driveway and surveyed the small group as the carriage doors were closed behind them. “We have a few hours before we need to be at the chapel. I have made arrangements for the carriage to pick us up at nine. My housekeeper, Mrs. Plume, stands just inside the door, ladies. She will lead you to rooms to allow you to freshen up or take a quick nap, whatever is your pleasure. If anyone would like to break their fast, the food is being placed in the small dining room on the right of the main hallway. Thomas can lead the way.” He gave a slight wave to indicate a tall gentleman with salt and pepper hair and silver sideburns standing at the door.
The butler bowed. “It is my pleasure to see that you have everything you need, my lord and ladies.”
Charlotte’s heart fluttered as he walked toward her. She found him handsome, but with all that had taken place these past days, she had given herself time to take full measure of the man. His dark brown hair was fashionably cut above his ears and complimented his stylish attire. He wore his black greatcoat opened at the front to reveal a burgundy waistcoat over a burgundy shirt and black cravat hugging a lean upper body, while his black breeches and Hessian boots emphasized his muscular legs. He held his gloved hand out, and she placed hers in his palm.
“I apologize, my lady, for the secrecy,” Evan said sincerely, locking his gaze with Charlotte’s. “However, I am familiar with your uncle and his tactics. He will most likely discover you gone in an hour or so. We will be using Banbury’s carriage to the church. My carriage will be waiting at the chapel by the time we leave, allowing us to ride to my home. Langdale will have no recourse at that point because you will be a married woman.”
His voice was soft and laced with concern. He was all tenderness, which helped soothe her frayed nerves.
“Come, let us go inside out of this cold damp weather.” He guided her into the front parlor. “We will leave the door open, but there are a few things I feel a need to say to you.”
A footman followed behind with their bags.
Charlotte felt herself begin to thaw. “My lord, I appreciate all that you have done. And I apologize for my bullheadedness in charging to your townhouse the other day. Had I known this would result, I might have handled things differently.” Her voice sounded quiet and tense, even to her ears. She caught the insult she had just delivered and struggled to correct her faux pas. “My lord, that was not the way I meant it. I did not mean that there was something wrong with marrying you. I meant marrying you in this . . . rush.”
He gave her a smile that melted her heart and took her hand in his. “Nonsense, my dear. While we find ourselves forced
