Page 59 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“I thought you might like to know that I have sent for a special license for you and Max to be wed promptly. It is to come tomorrow, and Max will ride out for it.”
Caroline thanked the heavens for her good luck, but she tried her best to appear as despondent as before. She sighed instead and pretended to wipe a tear from her eye.
“There, there,” Penelope said teasingly. “You will be happy enough in the end. I was forced to marry too, an old, widower whom I never loved.”
Caroline tensed as Penelope began to spew the truth she had for so long kept to herself. “He had an upstart, impudent daughter that I had to deal with as well, and now I will finally have what I want. My nephew will have his money; I will have money, and my stepdaughter will be out of the way. That is all I wanted. And I will be a widow myself soon. What freedom that shall give me at long last.”
Caroline bit her tongue, so wishing to tell her that she was wrong, that love had won out in the end, but she kept to herself, continuing to stare in front of her.
“Good. You seem to have come to an understanding of what will happen. Until later, Caroline,” Penelope said and turned to go.
Caroline waited until she heard the key turn in the door before she breathed out, glad that the interaction was over. She would likely not have to see her stepmother again before she was gone, free, and out of her life forever.
Hours later, Caroline was ready and pacing in her room. She wore her cloak, and her bag was packed, and all she could do was listen to the ticking of the clock and await the maid’s arrival. It seemed an age before she heard the door open, and then she rushed to Lara, who was waiting on the other side.
“Be quick about it,” Lara whispered, and they both left the room while Lara locked it. They hurried down to the kitchens, Caroline’s heart in her throat.
It was there she saw Charles waiting for her, his hat in his hands, and when he saw her, his face melted into a smile. She rushed up to him, dropping her bag to the floor and jumping into his arms.
He laughed a little, holding her tightly as they embraced.
“I knew you would come,” she whispered, tears of happiness in her eyes. “That you would not leave me to my terrible fate.”
“Well,” he answered, pulling back to beam at the maids and Mrs Winters, “I truly could not have done it without the help of your friends.”
Caroline wiped her eyes and turned to them all, hugging them each in turn. “I will be forever grateful to you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” She put a hand to her chest and smiled. You have saved me from a life of misery.” After hugging Mrs Winters, she said, “Please tell my father what has occurred, when he arises from his bed. For I hope that he does. Let him know the truth and that I did not wish to leave him but that I had to.”
“Of course, Caroline,” Mrs Winters replied warmly, grasping her hand. “I will tell him that. But we may lose our positions once the baroness hears of this.”
“No, I am certain my father will not allow it, but I swear to you that I will return once I am wed to ensure that has not happened.” She kissed the old woman, and then she turned back to Charles.
Her hope and happiness were so great that she leaned up on her toes, pressed her hands against his chest and kissed him.
He kissed her back but only briefly, until Mrs Winters cleared her throat. “Get yourselves to Gretna Green,” she said, pushing them out the door. And, with a shared smile, Caroline and Charles got into his carriage and left.
Chapter 59
A few days later, Caroline and Charles stood hand in hand next to an anvil in a blacksmith’s shop. A minister was there, reading to them their solemn vows and the sacredness of marriage. The blacksmith and his wife were seated, witnessing the event, and as Charles said, “I do,” and listened to Caroline do the same, he knew he could fight any battle that needed fighting.
“You may kiss the bride, Lord Spencer,” the minister said, and Charles leaned down to kiss his wife’s lips before pulling back and beaming at her with happiness.
“I love you, Caroline,” he said, and she smiled.
“I love you.” The gown she wore was simple but beautiful, a cream colour with lace at the bodice and wrists, and a pearl necklace around her neck.
They signed the papers, and then, arm in arm, they walked together across the small road of the small town towards the rather quaint inn. Charles held the marriage license in his pocket, and he patted it.
“Thank God,” he said, looking up at the bright blue sky. “It is done, my love.”
“It is done.” She breathed out, too, at his side, and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I confess that I could not rest until it was all complete and signed and settled.”
“Nor I.”
They paused on the outside of the inn, and he lifted her hand to his lips. “And we had to be the picture of propriety, of course, having separate rooms at the inns we’ve stayed at over these last days. I feel as though I might die.”
She laughed aloud, her eyes bright and cheerful. Both hands moved to rest on his chest, and his hands slid around her waist. He had never known such happiness before.
“Well, there is only one room for us here,” she said, nodding to it.
