Page 39 of If the Duke Dares
“Forus?” she asked, pausing in removing his bedclothes from the bed.
“If you think I’m letting you travel home without my company, you are sorely mistaken. After last night, I can’t imagine you’d want to.”
“I’m only worried about if we are seen together.”
“We won’t need to spend the night anywhere else. I’ll make sure everything goes well.” He moved quickly to finish packing while Persey was folding his bedding. They made a good team, and not just with protecting one another.
Though, he had to admit that had been his favorite part.
He’d initially come after her to Gloucester to satisfy his curiosity, but since running into her on the street, she’d commanded his thoughts as well as his need to ensure she came to no harm. He now considered it his duty and responsibility.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Acton opened the door and guided her along the corridor toward the stairs. “What will you do after we hear from my mother about your parents?”
“I’m not sure it matters anymore, to be honest. About hearing from your mother, I mean. I’ve concluded that regardless of what my parents did or are doing, I will need to find a…different path.” She hesitated at the top of the stairs. “I don’t think I can actually go home.”
Acton kept his jaw from dropping. Things were that bad? “But you’re an unmarried young woman. Where will you go?”
“I’d originally planned to stay with a friend in Bristol for a few days, but the best option for now seems to be to go to my aunt in Bath.”
“Then we will leave for Bath. Today?”
“I suppose we won’t need to stay at an inn?”
“Not unless you want to,” he said, unsurprised when she shook her head in response.
They would likely arrive in Bath by nightfall.
Acton had never experienced such profound disappointment.
Chapter10
Though they were only patronizing the inn for a short time while they awaited their coach, the Traveler’s Rest was a welcome respite after the Black Ivy. Persephone and Acton had arrived early and, after Acton had arranged for passage to Bath leaving later in the morning, ate a marvelous breakfast.
Feeling more comfortable than she had in days, Persephone allowed herself to fully relax as she curled up in the inn’s cozy sitting room while waiting for the coach to be ready.
Had it really only been four days ago that she’d left her parents? It felt like a month. Part of her hoped Acton’s mother’s letter would arrive before they departed. Persephone would like to know if the baron and baroness had remained at Loxley Court or left after Acton did.
She still couldn’t quite believe they’d gone on without her and attempted to settle the marriage contract without her present. It shouldn’t have been surprising after their demand that she wed the duke and the threat that had accompanied it. In fact, their entire demeanor had changed after Pandora was compromised. They’d always been somewhat self-involved and detached, but Persephone had believed that they cared for their daughters. Until Pandora had ruined their plans for a brilliant marriage and Persephone refused to sacrifice herself to a union she didn’t want.
And for what? To save their reputation and somehow bolster her father’s finances? Persephone wasn’t certain how that would work. She presumed he would have offered her dowry, small though it was, to Acton. Did he hope Acton would pay his debts? Or was he counting on his family connection to a duke to keep the creditors at bay? Persephone wasn’t entirely sure how dire things were, but the change in their behavior—their utter desperation after what had happened to Pandora—seemed to indicate there was something serious at risk. Something beyond just their reputation.
It wasn’t as if they were a prominent family. They were middling at best in Bath Society. Though her father was a baron, she suspected London would devour them whole.
Acton came into the sitting room, hat in one hand and a piece of parchment in the other. His dark auburn hair was gently tousled, making him appear more approachable and less like a duke.
“Guess what just arrived?” He held up the paper with a smile.
“Your mother’s letter?”
He nodded. “Your parents left Loxley Court yesterday.”
“Did she say where they went?”
“Back to Radstock Hall to oversee your recovery.” He waggled his brows. “How thoughtful of them.”
