Page 47 of Under the Earl's Wicked Spell

Abigail pursed her lips. Then she sighed.

“All right, fine. But I don’t think you’ll get very far.”

“You don’t have much faith in me, do you?”

“I just know you’re going to be found and brought back before I’ve said anything. I don’t see this working.” Abigail turned away, still looking unhappy. “Good night, Miss Victoria.”

She left, closing the door behind her. Victoria was left stunned. Her maid had always been on her side, and she had been the most loyal person Victoria had ever come across. Now she was saying this wasn’t going to work. Of course, it would.

Even if Victoria didn’t really know where she was going yet, it was going to work. She would make it work. People didn’t think she was resourceful; she was going to show them what she could do.

Blowing out all of the candles and making the bed look like there was someone sleeping in it, Victoria slung the strap of the laundry bag she had sneaked away over her head and across her shoulder. Then she tiptoed to the door, opening it as quietly as she could and peeking out. Her parents had their suites at the far end of the hallway, in the opposite direction of where she was going. If she was lucky, she could sneak away before they knew what was going on.

She would be down the servants’ back stairs, out through the kitchen door, and over the fence. Then Victoria would make her way down to the town and use her knowledge of the streets to throw people off the scent. There had to be someone there who would help her, even with their misgivings about her family.

Someone had to help a woman being forced into marriage.

After that, Victoria wasn’t sure what she was going to do. Should she go to another town and blend in with the crowds? Or should she head into the countryside, out in the middle of nowhere? There was bound to be work she could do. While Victoria hadn’t really worked a day in her life, she liked to think of herself as a fast worker.

She would be able to pick up on the simplest of jobs. Her allowance from the last few weeks had been saved up, so there was enough to find herself room and board for a while until she earned enough. It was all thought out that way.

She just needed to get out before she could do any of that.

As Victoria hurried silently along the hall and down the back stairs, she did feel a pang of regret. She was leaving without a word to her parents, but hopefully, the letter she had left on her dresser would explain everything. They were going to be devastated, but they had refused to listen. It was all about getting her married and getting things settled between them and Blackmore.

Victoria knew exactly how they could settle it. It was a shame nobody had the same idea as her.

It was silent as Victoria made her way down to the bottom floor. There wasn’t even any noise coming from the kitchen, which was always bustling. Everyone had gone to bed already, which was a relief. Victoria couldn’t begin to think how she would get out of explaining away why she was sneaking out wearing clothes worn by the servants. Nobody would let her go so easily.

Stepping out into the night, Victoria closed the door as quietly as she could and headed towards the front of the house. She would get onto the main road and then head out on the York road. There would be a public house somewhere along that road where she could rest for a while, and then she would get a lay of the land. There had to be someone who was looking for a maid with no experience and was willing to do anything.

It was going to be strange doing work that she had never done before, something her servants always did, but Victoria was willing to do it. Anything was better than being the Countess of Blackmore.

If her parents were going to be upset about it, Victoria wasn’t going to be sympathetic. She had said many times this wasn’t what she wanted. If nobody was going to listen, then she would make them listen. Victoria was not going to come back for anything except an apology. And for everyone to leave her alone.

No apology. She wasn’t going anywhere with them. Her parents would be upset, but it was their fault. Victoria was going to do whatever it took to be left alone.

The roads were clear as she made her way along the coastal path, bypassing Whitby after a moment’s hesitation. She decided against going into the town in case somebody saw her. The alarm would be raised before sunrise, and Victoria didn’t need that.

She just had to get to Scarborough, and then she would be able to get onto the road that went straight to York. It would take a day, at the very least, to get there on foot, but the further away she got from Whitby, the better. Nobody would be able to find her once she got away from the area.

It wasn’t until she got to Stainsacre that Victoria encountered anyone. At this time of night, nobody was about. That was a good thing; Victoria didn’t want anyone questioning her. Not just yet. She knew there was a public house near Hawsker, so that would be a good place to stay for the night. Then Victoria would get going in the morning.

Even if she wasn’t entirely sure where she was going to go, Victoria was confident that she could do it.

The sound of galloping horses and thundering wheels had Victoria slowing. Out of the darkness, there came a little light from a lantern. Then she saw the shape of horses and a carriage coming towards her.

Probably a drunk gentleman on his way home from an evening out. Victoria ducked her head, hoping that the bonnet she had put on would disguise her face, and moved onto the grass verge to keep on walking. If she stopped and looked around at all, drunk or not, whoever was passing by was going to notice.

She didn’t want anyone thinking someone was out of place.

She hurried along as the carriage passed by. Then she heard it stop, and the sound of a door opening. Victoria’s heart sank. No, she did not want to be bothered by anyone. Why couldn’t they just go on?

Then she froze when she heard a familiar voice shouting after her?

“Where do you think you’re going, Victoria?”

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