Page 17 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
CHAPTER8
The next two days passed in a haze of travel. Pleasantly and without incident. Tomorrow they would arrive in Gretna Green. They had stopped at an inn for the evening and had an enjoyable meal.
“Elizabeth, would you like to go for a walk?” Lord Thornton asked.
Elizabeth was delighted. She was growing weary of being in the carriage all day and welcomed the chance to stretch her legs. Alexander was scrutinizing her with his mysterious eyes. Emma flushed. She liked the way Alexander gazed at her.
“I would like that, Alexander.” And Elizabeth meant it. The earl was good company so it was easy to enjoy the time she spent with him.
“Your comfort is of the utmost importance,” Alexander announced as they exited the inn.
Elizabeth cast Alexander a sideway glance. The statement was innocent enough but she saw the fire in his eyes. A fire that said he wanted to spirit her away and ravish her. It made her shiver.
“Thank you, Alexander.”
They had passed a park on the way into town and they headed in that direction. Alexander appeared thoughtful as they walked down the cobbled street.
Alexander’s brows were furrowed. “I must ask about the Duke of Rochester. Did your parents discuss marrying him with you?”
“I am afraid they did not,” Elizabeth replied.
“Dare I ask how you came to be aware of their plans?”
“It was purely by chance that I came upon them discussing it in the library.” It was strange that it was only a few weeks ago that this happened. To Elizabeth it seemed like a lifetime. “I suppose that is when I decided that I should choose my own husband.
They walked side by side down the path. Alexander turned to her with a cautious expression. “Elizabeth, would you mind telling me how you met Salisbury?”
Elizabeth's steps faltered before she quickly regained her balance. She was not expecting such a question. Was he merely curious? Or was it more?
“I had gone to visit my dear friend Lady Seymour. I was out painting on the grounds when I met Lord Salisbury. The viscount was on his way to visit his cousin Lord Elmore Walton, the Earl of Hatfield, whose estate was neighboring Codicote. We struck up a conversation and he was very charming. He wrote me letters and I arranged to go to a freakshow with my friends so that I could sneak away and meet him.
Alexander stopped abruptly and Elizabeth turned to gaze at him.
His brows were furrowed. “A freak show?”
“Yes. That is what I said.” She answered matter-of-factly. Did she detect a cold light in his eyes? A shiver of apprehension jolted her.
“Go on. Where was this freak show?” He urged as he resumed walking.
Elizabeth relaxed. “It was only in St. Albans. So, we decided to slip away—”
Alexander interrupted her. “We?”
A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “My friends and I, Alexander.”
“I see.”
Elizabeth smiled as she spoke. “It would have been foolish to go there on my own. I may be reckless, but I am hardly foolish.”
“I would not suggest you were, Elizabeth. Quite the opposite. I am quite curious to hear about your escapade.” The corner of his mouth quirked in amusement.
Elizabeth forged ahead with her story. “I was the one who found out about the freak show and I managed to convince my friends to accompany me.”
“And you were not discovered?” Alexander said, a note of astoundment in his voice.
Elizabeth smirked. “As you know, Alexander. I am a master of disguise.”
“I know that now and you are full of surprises. Quite resourceful.”
