The Wedding Escape by Karyn Monk Read Free Book Online Page B

“Half starved, I’d wager, an’ no wonder, since you hadn’t the strength last night to even touch your tea and toast, you poor duck.”
    A plump, gray-haired woman clucked with dismay over the untouched tray of the previous evening. Amelia’s memory came rushing back in a sudden burst of clarity, eradicating her nausea and replacing it with a kind of mesmerized awe.
    Oh, my God,
she thought, feeling a dizzying infusion of both elation and fear.
What on earth have I done?
    â€œDid you sleep all right?” asked Lizzie.
    She nodded.
    Lizzie regarded her doubtfully. “Well, those circles under your eyes are bound to plague you for a while, what with all the excitement. Tonight I’ll fix you a nice cup of warm milk and brandy, to calm your nerves and make you sleep. If that doesn’t work, we’ll try a conserve of red roses and rotten apple wrapped in linen, and see if it won’t fade that black.”
    Despite the woman’s concern, Amelia hoped she wouldn’t be staying another night. If Jack was able to find Percy, then it was vital she be united with him immediately. Only then would she be safe from Lord Whitcliffe and her family, who were undoubtedly doing everything they could to find her. Her father in particular would be distressed by her sudden disappearance. Although he was undoubtedly infuriated by her actions, Amelia knew he would also be desperate to know if his little girl was safe.
    She swallowed thickly, fighting the tears that blurred her eyes.
    â€œHere now, dearie, it’s all right,” Lizzie cooed, alarmed by her despair. “You’re safe now; me and Beaton and Mr. Jack will make sure of that. If anyone comes round lookin’ for you, I’ll send them runnin’ with a whack of my broom against their backside.”
    â€œThank you, Lizzie,” said Amelia, moved by the woman’s unexpected protectiveness. “You’re most kind.”
    â€œSeems to me you need a little kindness.” Lizzie went to the tray and dumped a generous amount of sugar and milk into a teacup. “Mr. Jack said you was so set on escapin’ old Whitcliffe, you climbed down the church wall and crashed into some bushes. What kind of parents would force their daughter into a marriage where she’d rather risk breakin’ her neck than goin’ through with it?” She clucked her tongue with disapproval.
    â€œMy marrying a duke has been my mother’s dearest wish from the time I was a little girl,” Amelia told her. “But for years I also thought it was a wonderfully romantic idea—until I arrived in England and actually met the dukes who were available for marriage.”
    Lizzie filled what little space remained in the cup with a splash of tea and handed it to her. “A miserable lot, were they?”
    â€œThey were old and brusque and arrogant, and they made me feel as if they were lowering themselves by having anything to do with me. It was clear they were only interested in my fortune.”
    The elderly housekeeper sighed as she pulled out a chair for Amelia, indicating for her to sit. “I know just what you mean.”
    â€œFor months everyone tried to convince me of how fortunate I was that Lord Whitcliffe had agreed to marry me—even though he only did so after weeks of negotiation with my father’s barristers,” Amelia continued, seating herself. “And I kept trying to tell them that even if it was fortunate, I didn’t want to marry him. When I finally got the courage to run away yesterday, I knew I wasn’t just abandoning Lord Whitcliffe—I was abandoning my family as well.” Her voice was hollow as she finished despondently, “That is the part I cannot bear.”
    â€œThere, now,” Lizzie soothed, patting her hand. “Your family is sure to forgive and forget—time has a way of healin’ even the deepest cuts.” She spread a thick layer of