She shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking of last night. The most logical thing to do was set it aside for the time being and worry about it later. Anytime now, whoever her uncle had sent to track her down could come across them, and if he had sent more than one man, they could certainly be in danger.
The strangest thing was, she couldn’t quite bring herself to be frightened. Not yet anyway. Maybe this was what lovemaking did to one—created this strange, fuzzy, warm sensation that would not dissipate even in the face of great danger. No wonder men and women in love so often made such disastrous decisions.
Not that she would. She lifted her chin and faced Nash down. He might have made her feel things she never thought possible last night but there was no chance she was leaving Claude to fend for himself whilst they fled.
He sighed. “Fine.” He offered out a hand. “Give me the basket.”
She hesitated a moment then handed over the basket holding the cat. Claude gave a little meow of annoyance at his confined state, but they did not have much choice.
Nash grimaced. “I hope he doesn’t make a racket the whole journey. We need to be surreptitious.”
“Claude knows how to be surreptitious.”
A dark brow rose, and his lips tilted a little. “Indeed.” He tugged his pocket watch out of his waistcoat and flicked it open. “We need to get moving.” He shoved it back into his pocket. “If we make haste, we can reach the inn just after sunset.”
“Where precisely are we going?”
“An inn.”
“Yes, but where?”
“Far from here.”
“I think I should know where.”
“Fine. The Royal Oak in White Moss.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know of a White Moss.”
“Precisely.” He reached for her hand. “Now, can we please get moving?”
She took his hand, his fingers enfolding hers. She eyed the contrast between his dark gloves and her pale blue ones. How odd it was that they had been touching, skin to skin, not so long ago, yet the simple act of him holding her hand made her stomach twirl. How aggravating it was that they were having to flee, and she would have no time to write any notes of last night or think over the act of lovemaking fully.
“We will head up over the hill and avoid the village entirely,” he explained as they followed a faintly worn path through the grass.
“How did someone find us?”
“I’ll be damned if I know. No one apart from Mary and a handful of others know of our presence here. I’m always careful to arrive here quietly, as is Russell. Most people still think the place is abandoned.”
“Would one of Mary’s brothers give us away?”
He shook his head. “They don’t know what she does. Besides, they’re good men and Mary would have their heads if they did.”
“The boy then?”
“He’s paid well to keep quiet.” He scowled. “It would be a damned shame if someone has betrayed us.”
“Why are we going to this inn, specifically?”
He came to a stop at the ridge of the hill. Gray clouds hung like lead over the fields, casting the grass in a dull light. Grace only hoped the rain stayed away long enough for them to reach wherever White Moss was. Claude would not be happy about sitting in a wet basket.
“We have a backup plan.”
“We?”
“The Kidnap Club,” he explained. “We’ve never had to use it before, but should we be discovered, it was always planned that we decamp to that inn.”
“And then what?”
“Grace, as much as I love your inquisitive mind, sometimes I wish you would let a man just be a man and take charge.”
“I do not see how asking questions is not letting you take charge. Sometimes a woman should like to know exactly where she might be going before blindly following a man.”
He closed his eyes briefly. “You are right, of course. I’m simply trying to get us there as quickly as possible and I need to ensure you are safe.”
The concern in his eyes made her heart jolt—and not in a good way. Somehow, she had forgotten the risk they were all taking in this act. Should her uncle find her, she would be forced to marry a murderer and Nash could be charged with kidnapping.
“I understand.”
He started moving again and she followed along. “We will head to a house in Derbyshire. Guy has it let under some secret name, just in case.”
“Derbyshire? That’s some distance.”
He turned and grinned. “Not to worry, we will not walk all the way. With any luck, the cavalry shall be turning up to assist before long.”
Chapter Nineteen
The sound of Grace’s teeth chattering set Nash’s own teeth on edge. Damn this whole thing to hell. How could someone have found them? He had been trying his best all day to remain calm and not snap but the mere fact someone had come so close to discovering Grace made him want to thrust his fist through the window he was currently staring out of.
Rain splattered the glass pane, offering little more than a view of glistening darkness. The weather had finally unleashed on them at least two miles from the inn and they were both drenched to the skin. He turned to eye Grace, bundled up under a blanket on a chair by the fire. Hair plastered to pale skin, her tiny frame was swamped in the thick knitted blanket.
Her teeth continued to chatter.
He strode over and kneeled in front of her, putting hands to her arms and rubbing vigorously. “You’ll warm up soon,” he assured her.
She had to. If she sickened because of him, he’d never forgive himself. Someone as small as Grace was likely to fall ill easily, surely? He should have demanded a cart from a farmer on route or commandeered a vehicle somewhere. To hell with the plan. Just because Guy said should something go wrong, they would have to avoid being seen by anyone didn’t mean Nash had to obey him.
“W-what do we do now?” she asked.
“We get you warm first.” He glanced at the door. “We should have hot food and drink shortly, that will help.”
Nash had signed them in as husband and wife, so they were sharing a room. Far better that she be at his side and he hoped no one would pay much attention to a married couple. Neither of them drew much attention, being soaked to the skin and looking nothing like a nobleman and an heiress, and they’d keep to the room until he heard from Guy or Russell.
Thankfully, the room was well-appointed, tucked under the eaves of the inn with an antechamber and clean linens. Guy had good taste in traveler’s inns at least.
“T-then what?” she pressed.
“We wait.”
“To go to Derbyshire?”
He nodded. “The plan is that someone will arrive with a carriage—most likely Russell—and we’ll travel from here to the house.”
“I-I’m glad you have a good plan.”
“I will keep you safe,” he vowed.
“I know.”
A knock at the door drew him to his feet. He opened it and took the tray of steaming food and tea from the serving girl with a brief thank you. After setting the tray on the table in front of the fire, he poured Grace a cup of tea and added sugar and milk, just how he knew she liked it. She cupped the drink gratefully in her hands and inhaled deeply.
“I feel better already.”
“Good.” He poured a tea for himself then set out the bowls of stew. His stomach grumbled. No wonder as they hadn’t eaten all day and he was functioning on little energy after being, er, preoccupied all night. He waited until Grace had finished her drink, however, before digging in, gobbling down the tender meat and large chunks of vegetables. Grace followed suit and they ate in silence until their bowls were empty.
“Do you feel better?”
She nodded. “Much better, thank you.” She looked over to where the cat had settled on the bed. “Looks like Claude has forgiven us for the basket too.”
“He’s a placid cat, despite everything,” he agreed.
&nbs
p; “He is.” She tilted her head. “Even when I found him, all bedraggled and starving, he was the most relaxed cat I ever met.”
“He’s not a bad chap, I suppose.”
She smiled. “Admit it, you are beginning to like him. I saw you giving him fish the other day.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I tolerate him, that is all. And the fish was only going to go to waste.”
“If you say so.”
He rose from his seat. “We should get you out of that dress. We can get it cleaned and dried then.”
Her eyes widened. “I only have a shift on underneath.”
“Need I remind you that I saw you in significantly less than that last night.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “Well, yes, but that was...different.”
“How?”
“I don’t know, it just was.”
He sighed. This whole mess had ruined everything. If it weren’t for being discovered, he’d have taken her to bed again tonight and found other ways of making her cry out and sigh with contentment.
Even if it meant he was probably going to be condemned to hell for taking her virginity and breaking his promise.
It would be worth every agonizing moment, he was certain of it.
“If I turn around, will you take it off? You can wrap yourself back up in the blanket and be perfectly decent.”
“That would work, I suppose.”
He turned and listened to the rustle of clothing. It was wrong. He should be the one removing that gown from her, peeling it away from her skin then shoving her shift down her shoulder so he could nibble on her collarbone. Then he would go down...down...
Bloody hell, he was not helping himself here.
He focused on the ugly crisscross pattern of the blanket on the bed and breathed deeply. He was calm. Placid. He did not wish to kill the fiancé and uncle who had forced them on the run. He did not want to turn around and take her in a deep kiss. He would not give away any of his frustration at this situation.
Entirely, perfectly calm.
She had to be done by now, surely? He turned around and she yelped, covering herself with a blanket.
Nipples. A little bit of shoulder.
Far, far, far from calm.
IT WAS NOT that the flash of desire in his eyes went unnoticed. She appreciated it too. Here she was with damp hair and likely looking like a frail street urchin and he still desired her.
She still desired him. Glancing at his strong back, shaped by the dampness of his shirt, she recalled feeling the rippling muscles there, digging her fingers into his skin while he gave her pleasurable moment after pleasurable moment.
However, it didn’t seem appropriate to act upon it whilst they were in danger nor could she feel that same sense of boldness she had possessed the previous night.
She bunched the blanket tighter around her shoulders and hauled the sleeves off her chemise from where they had fallen. Maybe it was because being with Nash had not felt like mere coupling or some biological act. She had not just felt things, she had felt things. Deep inside her, he’d triggered something and for the first time ever, she had no longer been able to think. He’d swept her away last night and she feared she might not return should they make love again.
“You can turn around now.”
He turned slowly then relaxed his shoulders when he saw her covered state. She handed him the damp gown and waited by the fire until he returned from delivering it to a laundry maid. He nodded toward the bed when he returned. “You can rest if you want. It’s been a long day.”
She shook her head. Physically she was tired, but her mind would not settle, of that she was certain. Not only did she have to contemplate all that had happened between them, but she had her uncle or whoever these men were to worry about.
Nash shrugged and went over to the window, then turned and paced past. She counted each time he paced, paused to look out of the window, then paced again. She doubted there was much to see. The window faced the rear of the building where no light from the stables or the lanterns could be seen. Ten times he did it before she spoke up.
“Nash, you need not fret. I trust you will keep us safe.”
He paused, unclenched his fists, and came to sit opposite her. “There’s no chance they could track us here. It is not even on the main road.”
“Precisely.”
“We won’t be here long anyway, with any luck.”
“Exactly.”
“And who would think to look for you in Derbyshire?”
“No one.”
He shook his head, a half-smile stretched across his lips. “Am I not meant to be the one reassuring you?”
“You already have.”
He peered at her. “I thought you would be terrified.”
“I thought I would too, but I feel safe with you.” She gestured to him. “Why would I not? You are strong and capable and quite the determined man.”
He released a soft chuckle. “You mentioned the strong bit before, but I think a few people would argue with the capable and determined part.”
She scowled. “Like who?”
He waved a hand. “It does not matter.”
“Who, Nash?” she pressed.
He blew out a breath. “My father mostly, I suppose.”
“He thinks you incapable?”
“Incapable, foolish, careless, and most certainly not determined, unless one counts determined to mess my life up royally.”
“What happened to make him think that of you?”
“It’s a long story.”
“We have time.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Let us just say I was a wild sort of a man after Cambridge. My father did not appreciate it much.”
She nodded, remaining silent. She just knew there was more to his past and she wanted all the story but feared asking too much in case he ceased talking.
“He disowned me when I turned four and twenty,” he muttered. “I have not seen him or the rest of my family since then.”
So that explained his lack of funds. “I am sorry, that must be difficult.”
He summoned a grin. “Well, it could be worse. At least I have a father. I cannot complain when you have suffered so at the hands of your uncle without your father to protect you.”
“I loved my father dearly and he was the kindest of men,” she admitted. “My mother died trying to birth my brother, who died with her, so it was just the two of us. He doted on me wonderfully.” She paused. “I cannot help but wonder if he doted too much. I went everywhere with him and there was nothing we did not discuss, even when I was a young child. He thought it important that a girl’s mind be fully shaped before she became a woman. I feel like maybe I knew too much of the world.”
And she knew to fear it so early on.
“He sounds an interesting man, simply trying to do his best to raise a daughter. There are many fathers who would have little to do with their daughters.”
“Like your father?”
“Actually, no. My father is a kindly person and treated my sisters well indeed.”
“But he disinherited you.”
“Yes.”
“Nash, what happened that he might make such a decision if he is indeed a kindly man?”
He shook his head. “The past is in the past.” He rose from his chair. “Little point in discussing it. Now shall we get some rest?”
She glanced at the empty bed where Claude had curled up at the end. “Will you...will you share it with me?”
“If that is what you wish.”
Grace debated it for a moment. There were things she still did not know about this man and her mind did not want to let go of that fact. Her father would have told her to look at everything she knew and weigh it up carefully before throwing herself into the moment. But right now, her instincts told her she wanted him next to her, his body touching hers, his arms wrapped around her, even if just to sleep.
She nodded and his posture relaxed a little. Who would have thought s
he would have the power to unnerve such a man? It was rather a heady feeling.
Chapter Twenty
“Stay hidden,” Nash ordered Grace at the sound of knocking on the door to their room. It could be Russell, but he wasn’t taking any chances.
He inched the door open and the inn’s serving girl peered through the crack. He opened it farther and glanced down the hallway.
“Forgive the disturbance, sir, but you asked me to inform you should anyone be looking for a man and a woman travelling together.”
“Yes?”
“They are downstairs now. Four men.”
Nash slipped a coin shilling into her hand. “Thank you. If you would be so good as to keep our presence silent, that would be much appreciated.”
She nodded. “We never give away any details of our guests, sir. We’re a good establishment.”
“That you are, please convey my thanks to the owner.”
He closed the door and turned toward Grace. Curled up in the chair by the fire, she had a book she found in her lap and was twirling a dark strand of hair around one finger. Lord, he hated having to do this again to her but there was no time to waste. Simply because the serving girl wouldn’t say anything didn’t mean anyone else could not be bribed with coin.
“Grace, we need to leave. Now.”
Her eyes widened. “What has happened?”
“There are people here, likely looking for us. I would not want to gamble on them finding us.” He snatched up his jacket and shoved his arms into it. “Four men, so I am outnumbered.”
She nodded vigorously and stood, hastily slipping on her shoes and snatching up Claude. He made a startled noise when she pushed him into the basket and his claws could be heard scrabbling at the wicker.
Nash took the basket from her, grabbed their bags, and did a quick scan of the room. No sign of their stay here which was excellent. Now they just had to escape unnoticed.
“We’ll go out of the stable door,” he said. “If they’re in the tap room, asking questions, we can avoid being spotted.”
He eased open the door again, checked that the hallway remained empty, and led the way downstairs. His heart thudded hard in his chest and his palms grew clammy around the wicker handle. Chatter and the clanking of plates and cutlery emanated from the taproom door. All it would take was for one of them to open the door and spot them both. Nash regretted not taking the time to load his pistol. If he took one of the men out, then he’d have better chances of taking the rest on.
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