Page 106 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
“Nothing’s wrong, but there has been a change in plans. I did not speak to her myself, but Ellie has informed me that Belle has decided to leave considerably earlier than we’d expected. She is already on her way to the station.
Bloody hell.“She’s leaving tonight?”
Mrs. Johnstone nodded. “She has booked passage to Southampton. The train is scheduled to depart at six o’clock.” Her features taut with concern, she retrieved an envelope from her handbag. “I do realize ye’ve only an hour to reach the station. It may not be feasible.”
He shrugged. “I shall depart on the six o’clock train as well.”
“Very good. I was hoping ye would say that.” Mrs. Johnstone’s mouth pulled into a faint smile as she handed him the envelope. “I’ve taken the liberty of purchasing yer ticket.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
With Finn atthe reins, Jon joined Mrs. Gilroy and Mrs. Johnstone in his coach as they hurried to the train yard. Setting a brisk pace, Finn deftly navigated the crush of traffic—coaches and carts and pedestrians filled the streets, going about the ordinary business of their lives on a rainy afternoon that was far from ordinary for Jon. It was as if he’d finally awoken from an existence that wasn’t entirely whole. He knew now what he’d needed all along—the love of a spirited, bright-eyed woman who somehow still cared about him despite the fact he’d been an utter arse.
Belle was the woman he loved. The woman he needed. And she loved him. At least, she had.
You have my heart. But it’s up to you to claim it.
She’d spoken the words in cool, even tones, even as tears had filled her eyes. The days that had passed since then had only thickened the ice between them.
An invisible weight landed in his gut. He simply had to see her before she boarded the train. But was it too late? Had he already damaged their bond beyond repair?
If he had—if she did not want him to accompany her, he would honor her wishes. If she desired more space and time to clear her head, as she’d put it, he would allow her whatever she needed. And if she’d come to a realization of her own—if he’d extinguished the spark of passion she’d held for him, he wouldhave no choice but to live with that truth for the rest of his life. But first, he had to tell her what was in his heart.
The carriage slowed. Then stopped. Each passing moment felt like an eternity. Still, they made no progress. He heard Finn swear an epithet from the driver’s bench, and Mrs. Gilroy peered from the window.
“I don’t see what’s causing the problem,” she said with a shrug.
“Accident ahead,” Finn called from the bench. “A blasted wagon has overturned. Take a look for yerself.”
Jon opened the door enough to survey the scene.Bollocks.Not only had a wagon overturned in the middle of the street, but its cargo—sacks and more sacks of potatoes, from the looks of it—strewn about the pavement. Adding to the chaos, some of the burlap bags had split, their contents spilling over the road.
Finn pulled his hat lower to shield his face from the pouring rain. Seated on the bench, his raincoat offered some protection from the deluge, but he still looked to be getting soaked.
“I don’t see an opening. The wagon’s blocking the whole blasted road,” he said. “There’s no way to proceed.”
Rain pelted Jon’s face. “How far are we from the station?”
“At least ten blocks, by my estimate,” Mrs. Johnstone spoke up.
He smiled to himself. Finn was wrong. Therewasa path. And he was going to take it.
Pulling his flat-brimmed hat lower, he eyed his traveling bag. The cumbersome satchel would only slow him down.
“Surely ye’re not thinking to proceed on foot,” Mrs. Johnstone said.
“Of course he is.” Mrs. Gilroy turned to Jon. “I always knew ye had spirit. Now, go get the pretty lass.”
“That, Mrs. Gilroy, is precisely what I intend to do.”
“Ye’ll be drenched and in no condition to travel,” Mrs. Johnstone cautioned. “A bit of patience might be in order.”
“Patience is highly overrated,” he said. “Goodbye, ladies. Wish me luck.”
“Ye will not need it,” Mrs. Gilroy said, her eyes bright with encouragement. “Miss Belle is over the moon for ye.”
“Nowthatis a thought which inspires a man to get going.” He grinned at the old woman. “Mrs. Gilroy, there’s one more thing—please tellthe wee lassI’ll be coming back for her soon.”
He jumped to the ground, his feet hitting the pavement as Mrs. Gilroy called after him.
