“Dear Charles-"
That was all. Dear Charles. For a moment, he felt bitter disappointment, and then he read them again with a different emphasis-
Dear Charles.
“Pssst! Charles!"
It was a moment before he responded, thinking in his bemusement that he was imagining the voice. Then it came again, “Pssst! Charles!"
As he looked up, his heart leapt. Above him, her face and shoulders hanging out the open window, was Louisa.
“What are you doing here?” she called in a whisper.
Charles smiled up at her. “Listening to the singers. I think someone ought to take down their words and save them before the custom dies out, don't you?"
He could see her dimple in response. She stared back at him, and then said, “You'll catch your death of cold!"
“I haven't been here long. But should you be leaning out that window?"
“I saw you. At least, I thought it was you, and I had to see.” She sighed. “I thought I might be hallucinating. Bread and water will do that to one."
Charles drew his brows together. “Has the general mistreated you?"
“Oh, no.” He knew she was telling the truth from the sound of her voice. “But it pleases him to send me up before supper with a meal fit only for the nursery. But what about you, Charles? What are you doing?"
“Getting ready for a journey."
She paused, and his pulse raced as he heard the sadness in her voice. “Where are you going?"
Charles started to speak, and then had to clear his throat. Talking with his head thrown back was becoming difficult.
“To Gretna Green.” He paused, his heart hammering. “Will you come with me?"
There came a long silence. Even the singers’ voices had stopped.
Charles stood there, counting the seconds, and felt himself draining of colour.
“Are you sure?” Louisa finally asked.
He cleared his throat again and answered, “Quite, quite sure."
“But Charles, your reputation-"
“Hang my reputation! I love you!"
“I'll be down in a trice!"
Charles called up, fighting a smile so big that it hampered his speech, “You might bring some clothes with you this time."
“Get ready to catch them."
He waited impatiently. Then, as he watched, a gown and a petticoat appeared overhead. They floated down to him, and he caught them before they touched the ground.
“Louisa! Don't you have some sort of box?"
A portmanteau hit the dirt at his feet. Charles scooped it up and stuffed the garments in it, along with the toothbrush, hairbrush, hats and gloves that followed.
“That's enough! That's enough!"
He was quite impatient now. The men who had been singing were watching him with interest. They had gathered round, and now he shooed them off.
“Are you ready?” Louisa's voice called down from above.
“Yes, but please be careful!"
A slippered foot eased over the window-sill, followed by another. Charles caught a gratifying glimpse of bare leg, and more. His heart gave a lurch. He did not think of turning away, but what he saw made him quite glad he had chased the other men off.
He waited for her at the bottom of the drainpipe and insisted on catching her, as well. The little gasp she made on landing in his arms sent a quiver through him.
For a second, Charles kept her tightly nestled in his arms, relishing the feel of her. Then, ignoring the men's stares, he kissed her.
Louisa burrowed closer to him, sending his pulse on a tear, until he realized she was shivering from the cold. He bustled her round the corner and into his carriage.
“To Gretna Green, Timothy!"
“Aye, your lordship! On the quick?"
“No, there's no need to hurry. We'll break our journey on the way."
“Yessir!"
Once inside, Louisa huddled very close to him, until he put his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap.
“Ooh!"
“Do you object?"'
“No… not at all.” Her breathless response sent a thrill coursing through him. “I'll keep you warm,” he promised.
“Yes… I believe you will. Charles… are you absolutely certain you wish to marry me?"
He whispered in her ear, “Do you need convincing?"
She giggled. “Not really, but are you sure it's wise? What of your reputation when it's known you've eloped?"
“I've eloped with a beautiful heiress. It will probably be considered the wisest thing I've ever done."
He could feel her smile as her lips moved against his cheek, sending wave after wave of heat to his loins.
“There is one thing, though…"
“What's that?"
He held her away for a moment. “Do you promise, when we get there, that you won't change your mind?"
Louisa threw herself back into his arms and hugged him tightly. “Only if you promise to make love to me the whole way!"
Charles enfolded her snugly and felt his heart fill, close to bursting.
“I give you my word as a gentleman…"
Patricia Wynn Ricks
