Page 46 of Under the Earl's Wicked Spell

Chapter 10

“Are you sure about this, miss?” Abigail asked in a low voice as she watched Victoria check her belongings again by the candlelight.

“Of course, I’m sure. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” Satisfied that she had everything she needed, Victoria closed her bag. “I’m not staying to get married to a murderer. That was too much for me, and nobody is listening.”

“What good is this going to do? You’re just going to be hunted down.”

“At least I’ll have the freedom I want.” Victoria went over to the dresser and checked herself in the mirror. “And nobody’s going to recognise me in these clothes. I’m relieved that these fit me.”

And she was relieved there was no corset, either. That was the only thing that was good about wearing Abigail’s clothes; servants didn’t need to wear corsets and deal with the complicated crossing of fabric and straps. Victoria wished that had been the case for her; she hated that garment. She wouldn’t be surprised if she permanently damaged her body with it.

Abigail looked uncomfortable, shuffling from foot to foot as she stood near the door. She gave her mistress a nervous glance.

“I can’t believe that you’re actually going to run away. How am I going to explain it to Lord and Lady Selkirk?”

“You don’t have to explain anything to them. Just say you came to my room in the morning and found me gone. There was no indication that I was planning on disappearing.”

“Nobody’s going to believe that!” Abigail protested. “They’ll know that I was here when you were planning to leave!”

“As long as you claim ignorance, nobody is going to notice the difference.” Victoria turned to her. “I understand what you’re saying about this, Abigail, but I cannot stay. I have to go before I am forced to marry that man.”

“But where? Where are you going to go?”

“I’ll let you know once I’m settled.” Victoria hurried over to her maid and clasped her hands. “I do appreciate you and everything you’ve done for me, Abigail. If I could bring you along, I would. But this is something I have to do on my own.”

Abigail didn’t look convinced. She looked like she was about to cry. Ever since Victoria had told her that she was going to run away, Abigail had been trying to get her to change her mind. It wasn’t going to happen. Victoria was determined. She wasn’t going to wait for the wedding day. She needed to get away now.

There was another week until she was set to get married. Her parents had agreed to it due to Blackmore being in London for a few days organising a few things with his father’s businesses. Once he was back, they were to marry. Victoria had to leave before he got back, even if it meant sneaking away in the middle of the night.

She looked at the clock. It was almost half-past eleven. About the time that her parents retired for the night. Once it was midnight, she would be gone. Nobody would be able to find her, not even Abigail. If she knew where Victoria was going, then she wouldn’t be able to hide it for much longer. Abigail was too honest.

Hopefully, nobody would ask her too many questions.

“You go and get yourself to bed, Abigail,” Victoria said, picking up the jacket her maid had given her and shrugging it on. “And carry on as normal. If you’re not comfortable with lying for me immediately, pretend I’m sleeping in, or I’m not feeling well. That will buy me time.”

“But….”

“Please, Abigail. You know I don’t want to do this. I’ve got to get out of here before I’m stuck for life with the man who murdered Richard.”

Abigail frowned.

“The man who allegedly murdered Mr Hayward.”

“What?” Victoria blinked. “Of course, he did. Who else could it have been?”

“Maybe it was an accident. Maybe he didn’t mean to kill Mr Hayward.”

Victoria stared at her. Where was this coming from?

“Don’t be ridiculous! Blackmore murdered my brother, and instead of him getting sentenced to death, I’m ending up with a life sentence. How is that fair?”

Abigail didn’t respond. Victoria clasped the other woman’s hands.

“You’ve done a lot for me in the past. Please, just this last thing, and that’s it.”

“I don’t think….”

“Please, Abigail.”

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