Page 59 of Loving a Noble Gentleman
“I just need you to be aware that there will be a carriage waiting for you and Charlotte at the end of the road at midnight.”
“Midnight?” Mary gasped, shocked. She could not be outside at midnight; it just was not the sort of thing that was acceptable to do. Her initial reaction was to panic, but of course, if she was going to run – if they both intended to escape without anyone knowing where they were. “Yes, of course, midnight. I suppose that makes sense. We cannot be seen.”
Edmund could tell that she was in a panicked state, even if she was trying to act otherwise. Mary’s heart was thundering, he could almost hear it racing. Of course this was going to be scary; it was a big risk for all of them, but if they wanted to do something as drastic as running away and leaving the life of London behind, all while protecting Charlotte, then this was how it had to be.
Edmund was excited as well as nervous; he could not wait to leave the city life behind. All the rules, the reputations, the gossip ... he wanted it gone. Now that his mother was alright and his business was sorted, he felt confident that he could follow through on what he wanted to do and also look after both the Roberts sisters. He knew it would not be an easy challenge to take on, but he felt confident that he could do it.
“Midnight at the end of the road. I know that you shall wish to bring supplies with you because we are all leaving and never coming back, but try to pack light. We do not want to draw too much attention to ourselves.”
“Yes. Of course.” Mary could hardly breathe now; she felt that she was wearing a corset even tighter than the one that Victoria had been wearing when she confronted her. If this had been a while back, then there was no way that Mary could have done it, but she was braver now, stronger inside. She could take on this challenge if she wanted to. “And you are really sure about this.”
Edmund bit down on his bottom lip as he tried to decide whether or not it was the right moment to say it. He did not want to put the pressure on Mary, but he also needed her to hold it. “I do not mind what I do,” he told her seriously. “As long as I can be with you, Mary. I love you. I want to be your husband. That is not the only reason that I am doing this. I wish to help Charlotte as well, but I am prepared to sacrifice anything for you.”
Mary’s eyes welled up, but for the first time in a very long while, she was not crying with sadness. The romance of Edmund’s words hit her hard, and they made her realise that he truly did love her. She loved him too, so this was perfect. It was not something that she had intended; she assumed that all the complications were about to get in the way forever, but it was there right in front of her.
All she needed to do was be brave enough to take it.
She moved closer to Edmund and wrapped her arms around him for a brief second, forgetting all about the rules. If they were going to leave London, it hardly mattered anyway. It did not matter if the people around them judged and whispered about them if they were not going to be around to hear it. They were being talked about enough anyway; it was hardly the biggest shock ever.
“I will need to persuade Charlotte,” she whispered into his ear. “I do not know if she will go for it. I know that she wants to leave and escape, but I think that she is afraid.”
Edmund held Mary close, loving the feel of her soft body against his. This is how it could be for all time if she would only let him look after her. He knew that this was not an easy choice to make, but if Mary and Charlotte worked up the bravery to take this step, then he knew that they would look back on it forever as the best decision that they had ever made.
“I have faith in you,” he said back just as quietly. “I am sure that you will help her to escape her horrible situation. She really needs it.”
“I do not want to see her hurt again,” she breathed deeply, almost not quite forming the words at all. “I thought that she was going to die. It was the scariest moment of my life.”
Edmund squeezed her, hating that she was in such a terrible situation. He would have done anything to take her away from it even before he knew that it had gotten so bad, and now he felt even more desperate to make this work.
“If you come with me, I will make sure that nothing bad happens again; I promise you that much. I know that it is scary, and I am aware how much I am asking of you, but I want you to know that it will be worth it. I can promise you that.”
“I know.” Mary nodded against his chest. She knew that Edmund would be true to his word. The more that she talked to him, the more that she realised that she could definitely trust him. She just hoped that Charlotte felt the same way. “Thank you, Edmund; I appreciate everything that you have done for me. I know that you are risking a lot too. I appreciate it a lot.”
“I would do anything for you,” he murmured, filling Mary’s heart with warmth. Never had a man said anything so romantic to her, and it felt wonderful. She knew that she wanted to do this, however terrifying it was, because it would give them a chance. After the kisses that they’d shared and the hardships that they’d faced together, she knew that given the opportunity, they could definitely make it work. “I hope you know that.”
I just hope that I can do this for you,Mary thought, too emotional to say that aloud.I really hope that I can make this work.
