Page 4 of Boxing With My Duke
“Yes, Your Grace,” Adams said, making a swift exit.
He had no choice. He had to go after them. He liked young Landon, but his priority was protecting Serafina—even from herself. “My coach is being readied.”
“I will follow you in my carriage.”
“Absolutely not! I will go on my own and bring them back.”
“I will not sit idly by at home, twiddling my thumbs, Your Grace. I am coming with you.”
Stubborn woman! Carlton poured himself another draught of brandy and downed it in one gulp. There was no use arguing with her. “Very well, but you can send your carriage home. We’ll take mine. It’s large, well-sprung, and comfortable. The journey will be difficult enough without adding to our discomfort,” Carlton said.
Catherine sputtered. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that my carriage is built to accommodate my height.”
“Oh!” She glanced away, her cheeks flushing red.
She was even prettier when she blushed. Double damn it all to hell and back. This would be one heck of a trip.
“Wait—my maid…” Catherine protested. “She isn’t with me.”
He arched a brow. “Interesting. You charged into a men’s club unchaperoned? Yet, you represent yourself as a troubadour for social mores.”
“I…thought I’d find him here,” she sputtered. “I acted on impulse without giving enough thought.”
Her contrition made him feel sorry for her. But only just. “How old is your brother?”
“He’s twenty,” Lady Campbell replied. “We are twins.”
Carlton caught himself staring at her.
She held his gaze. “I’m older by two minutes.”
“It’s my turn to be surprised,” Carlton said. “Come along then, Lady Campbell. Let us go rescue your twin brother—younger by two minutes—and my ward.”
Carlton had no doubt the trip to Gretna Green would be a miserable one. Lady Campbell was a stubborn, snappish woman. Nevertheless, they were united by a mutual cause. To stop a wedding.
Chapter 3
Catherine had no doubt their journey to Gretna Green would be a miserable one. The duke was a pompous, arrogant man. But she had no choice. She needed his help to stop a wedding.
She leaned back against the plush burgundy leather in the carriage and adjusted the thick, velvety blanket on her lap. The duke did have a point. She had brazenly burst into a men’s club, ranting and raving. With no chaperone. What was I thinking? Her foolishness had potentially landed her in a mess. But in her defense, she’d been so worried about Edward that she hadn’t stopped to think. After losing William and her father, it would be unbearable to lose Edward too.
And she was worried about her mother’s health. Her poor dear mother would take to her bed if she learned of Edward’s disappearance. Catherine had penned a brief note and had asked one of the duke’s footmen to deliver it to her maid, Bertha, who was wise beyond her years. Bertha would make sure no one in the household found out where Catherine was heading, and with whom. Nor would they know Edward whisked a woman he met in a gentleman’s club to Gretna Green.
She turned to gaze out the window at the passing scenery. She felt awkward sitting across from him. A virtual stranger. Lord, he’s big. The duke had been right about his carriage. It was huge and accommodating for his size. But he still dominated the space. She couldn’t decide whether it was his height or the dynamic energy he exuded. She snuck a peek at him from the corner of her eye. He was handsome. Very handsome. So handsome she could barely keep from blushing every time he looked at her with those dark brown eyes framed perfectly with wavy, brown hair. His tall, muscular body was impeccably contained in well-tailored clothing. It was all she could do to maintain a stiff upper lip to get through this ordeal.
“I…I realize our traveling together could be compromising for me,” she said, breaking the silence. Her voice had sounded too soft and feminine. Fiddlesticks!
“For me as well,” the duke said in a wry tone, arching a dark brow. “And if you are compromised, we may have to marry. Oh, that’s right…your brother is on the road, possibly compromising my young ward.”
“That’s not what I meant…” she started.
“Look, we don’t know what’s going on. But I’m hoping we can catch up with them before it’s too late. They’ll have to stop along the way to eat and attend to personal matters.”
“Yes, of course,” she agreed, feeling another blush heat her face. Personal matters! She hadn’t thought of that. They would have to stop at some point as well. Oh Lord, she’d have to hold her bladder if that were the case.
“Adams asked my cook to pack several days’ worth of provisions. Cheese, meats, bread, fruit, and drink should help with any hunger issues,” Carlton said.
