Page 11 of Papa's Captive
“We will not stop until we reach Gretna Green, my love.” Lord Caldwell gave her a saucy grin as his words sunk in.
“Gretna Green?” she gasped. “We are eloping?”
“I have waited long enough for you. I told you I never wish to be parted from you again, and I am a man of my word.”
“But, what about Miss Wickersham? And a wedding ...and...and…”
“My solicitor will be arriving shortly with another tidy contribution to Talcott House and a letter of explanation. I am sure he will make Miss Wickersham see there is nothing untoward about this. We are already betrothed. All the documents have been signed. You aremine. My captive bride.”
Though she ought to have felt shocked and distressed at his scandalous suggestion, in actuality Rosie was overcome with exhilaration. Papa urged the horse to pick up its pace and they rode past the front of Talcott House, a group of young ladies, as well as Miss Wickersham and Garland, chasing after them. The look on Miss Wickersham’s face sent a shiver of fear down Rosie’s spine. What if they were caught before they made it all the way to Scotland?
“I’m Papa’s captive,” she said with a warm feeling moving through her.
He looked down at her, affection evident in his gaze. “You most certainly are.”
“All the way to Scotland? What about my things? My clothes?”
“I don’t imagine you’ll have much need for clothing in the near future,” he said in a husky tone, “but I arranged for some ready made clothing items for you to be delivered to our final destination, and as soon as time permits I will commision a brand new custom wardrobe to be made for you. My solicitor will arrange with Miss Wickersham to have your other belongings sent to my castle in Scotland.”
“What? You have a castle in Scotland?”
“I am a man of many surprises. It is an old ancestral home which I inherited upon my father’s death. I have not had an opportunity to visit since I became the Earl of Bridgeport, so I plan to keep you there for at least a month, while I make a proper inspection of the grounds and staff, but mostly I plan to give you my undivided attention, my little captive bride.”
* * *
It wasbliss to finally have Rosie in his arms. William enjoyed the feel of her luscious body in his embrace as he guided the horse over the hillside to the waiting carriage. Once he got Rosie situated inside the carriage, the driver went about affixing Papa’s Girl into the reins in front of the carriage next to another horse. Since the carriage wasn’t weighed down by luggage, he anticipated they would make good time. Perhaps, if the weather remained pleasant, they would reach Gretna Green in just two days.
Fortunately, his castle was a mere half day journey from Gretna Green. His blood heated at the prospect of finally having Rosie alone and all to himself. No guardians. No rules of propriety holding them back from the carnal pleasures of the flesh they would soon enjoy together. His cock hardened in his trousers and he took a moment outside the carriage to compose himself before joining his beloved soon-to-be bride.
A pretty flush covered her face and she peered at him with excitement and open wonder. Her hands trembled in her lap and he took them in his, once again enjoying the feel of his bare flesh against hers. She swallowed hard. Her gaze left his and she peered out the window when the sounds of their pursuers increased. Miss Wickersham’s shrill, disapproving voice echoed over all the rest and Rosie visibly tensed.
She turned toward him and gave him a worried look, all the while trying to extract her hands from his. He didn’t release his grip and scooted nearer to her, completely closing the space between them. A breathless gasp left her and she moved away from him, only for him to follow, until he had her cornered against the wall of the carriage with nowhere to go.
“Forgive me, Lord Caldwell, but I am feeling a bit faint.” Her gaze danced back to the window, and a strange, almost faraway look crossed her face.
“All will be well, little girl. I promise. And that’sPapato you from now on. At least, when we are in private. You will only call me Lord Caldwell while we are in the company of others. Understood?”
She inhaled a shaky breath. “Y-yes, Pa-papa.”
Pleasure filled him and he gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. Still keeping one hand on hers, he reached for her hair and tucked back a few strands that had come loose during their adventures through the trees on horseback.
“Papa’s going to take very good care of you, little girl.”
She shivered at his touch but leaned closer to him, as if seeking his comfort. He smiled down at her and gathered her in his arms, hoping to help her settle from the shock of being taken away from Talcott House by surprise.
At that moment, the carriage took off and the sounds of calling voices disappeared beneath the clomp of horses’ hooves on the road leading away from the boarding house. As the carriage picked up speed, she stiffened in his arms and when he gazed into her eyes, he again noted a faraway look that bordered on fearful.
“Are you afraid of me, little girl?” He hated the thought of her fearing him, but he wasn’t about to turn around and take her back to Talcott House, even if she was. If this was the case, he would have to work to gain her trust.
But he would not, under any circumstances, let her go.
Now that he’d kissed her, had a taste of her, he would go utterly mad if they were ever parted again.
She sighed and returned his stare, blinking rapidly as if to hold back tears. “I…no, Papa. It’s not that. Though I confess you make me nervous at times—I am not used to being alone with a man—I am not afraid of you. I was just worried we might be caught before we reach Gretna Green.”
“No one will be chasing after us, little girl. I promise,” he said, leaning down to place a lingering kiss on her forehead. She melted at his touch and he couldn’t resist kissing her again, this time on her cheek. A little sigh left her as his lips came into contact with her soft flesh. “As I’ve said, my solicitor will take care of Miss Wickersham—and we are already betrothed. We will reach Gretna Green in two short days, my love. And then you shall be my bride.”
They fell silent for a while, and she finally relaxed in his arms. He stroked her hair and held her, enjoying the privacy the closed carriage afforded them. It would be hours before they reached the inn and he anticipated sleeping next to his adorable little girl. He wouldn’t claim her as his wife yet, for they weren’t wed, but he could not fathom taking two separate chambers for the night. He couldn’t imagine letting her out of his sight. Though he didn’t think she would attempt to escape, he certainly would not risk it. She needed a guiding hand and he was more than happy to give it to her, to whisk her away to his castle where he would spend the coming days exploring every inch of her sweet little body.
