Page 53 of A Courtesan Countess Worth the Scandal
Without delay, Liam tore open the letter and read the contents with anxious fervor:
Dearest Lord Keswick,
I accept your unorthodox proposal, my future husband. If you were not aware, this is a jest. I must continue to educate you in the art of the tease.
I have spoken with my Mother and my Sister, and they are in agreement that this shall be the best course of action for our continued safety. Please advise when you would like us to ready ourselves, and do not hesitate to inform me of your master plan in avoiding the gaze of whoever is watching me from afar. I would hate to step from one lion’s den to another.
I look forward to your reply. Would you prefer “Darling” or “Sweeting” as my term of endearment for you? Or, perhaps, you would care for something more imaginative? I am partial to “My Little Snow Bunny,” but perhaps that would be too telling about the nature of how our companionship came to be (this is another jest, dear Liam).
Yours Faithfully,
Miss N. Black
An involuntary smile turned up the corners of his lips as he read the note, though he swiftly removed it from his face as he sensed his friends watching him.
“Wilks, please make preparations for our departure tomorrow.” He cleared his throat and put on an expression of solemnity. “We will all be journeying to Keswick Manor, so please ensure that everyone’s finery is included in the luggage, as there will be a ball to attend.”
Wilks bowed his head. “Did you want me to proceed with the arrangements you discussed with me earlier?”
“Indeed, Wilks. Have my second carriage waiting at the designated spot on the Strand at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. I will travel in that carriage while the other takes Carlton and Denninson out of London,” Liam replied in the affirmative. “Do not inform the driver of why I am traveling there. Merely tell him that he is to await further instruction from me.”
Wilks nodded. “At once, My Lord.”
As the butler exited the library, Liam turned to his friends with a broad smile. “Well, my Dear Friends, it appears we are to spend some time in the north, though having a false wife does not mean I have lost our wager.”
But, perhaps, wishing I might kiss her again is grounds for a loss—
Chapter Twenty-Four
From the moment Nora received her reply from Liam that evening, barely an hour after she had sent hers, the Black household transformed into a hub of chaotic activity. Had they been able to use their own carriage to make the journey, they would not have had to be so decisive in which belongings they took with them. However, as the plan was to switch carriages on the Strand, to lessen the chance of the unknown spies being able to pursue her, the family had to be extremely selective, for the change would have to be swift.
The mayhem continued well into the next morning, with each of the familial trio finally settling on two suitcases apiece. At Liam’s request, Nora had packed several of her finest gowns, though she had been somewhat disappointed to have to give up space that could have been used for more practical attire.
“Are we ready?” Nora asked, looking to her mother and sister.
Lily gave an excited nod. “I can’t wait to feel fresh air on my face! I wonder if it will smell different.” She paused, chuckling. “I’ve made sure to pack bandages, too, for I’ll surely be falling over myself in the new surroundings. But it won’t take me long to figure things out, I’m certain of it.”
“We are ready,” their mother confirmed, rather more sedately. Indeed, Nora thought her mother looked somewhat anxious. After spending all of her life within the city, she was about to leave those familiar boundaries for the first time. Who would not be nervous at such a prospect?
With that, they headed out of the house to meet the decoy carriage. Mrs. Moston came to the door to wave them off, though they had already shared their tearful goodbyes over breakfast. By the way the housekeeper had wept, one might have thought the Black family had no intention of ever returning.
“Travel safely! Eat well! Do not forget me! Write as often as you can!” Mrs. Moston called, dabbing a handkerchief to her eyes as the trio clambered into the waiting carriage.
Lily flashed a grin in Mrs. Moston’s direction. “We will, and I’ll be sure to practice my piano every day.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Moston,” Nora added. “We’ll all be home before you know it. Think of this as a holiday for yourself, with a peaceful house to run and no one to trouble you for chicken soup.”
Mrs. Moston’s face crinkled up. “But I hate havin’ a quiet house!” she lamented. “Please, do come back soon. I’ll lose my mind without the three of you.”
Nora almost wished she had invited Mrs. Moston to join them at Keswick Manor, but someone needed to take care of the townhouse while they were gone, and she would not have felt right asking her mother to be the one to stay behind. As such, the duty had fallen to the housekeeper and, sadly, there was nothing to be done about it.
Let’s all hope that we can come back sooner rather than later, though I do think the respite will be good for all of us.
Secretly, though her reasons for leaving London were not exactly comforting, she was looking forward to spending some time in a distant place, where no one knew who she was, what she was, or where she had come from. There was freedom in that, and it had been a long while since she had felt the liberty of relative anonymity.
Waving a last farewell to Mrs. Moston, the carriage pulled away from the townhouse, and headed toward the Strand. As per Liam’s instructions, they were to meet another carriage there, and switch before they continued northward.
“I’m so giddy I think I might burst!” Lily cried, shuffling about on the squabs.
