''Yes, thank you. I'm really disappointed we are here at all. We were supposed to be in Newark by now. I don't think we have made even half that distance.''
''Don't worry about that. What's important is that we are safe. What use would it be, if we had to spend the night inside the coach, in the middle of nowhere? Here, it's warm, and the beds looks comfortable.''
''But I'm so afraid the Duke will find me. Our wedding is only three weeks away, and if I have to marry him, I will end my life.''
''Let's go to sleep now. We'll see what the weather's like in the morning.''
Chapter 2
''Oh Mary, when will this dreadful storm finally cease?'' Charlotte asked as she looked out of the breakfast room window.
''I have no idea. Before you came down this morning, I asked the coachman, and he thinks we'll be here for another day. He won't leave while there is so much thunder around. The loud bangs frighten the horses, and if they bolt when they're pulling the coach, there could be dreadful accident.''
''Yes, I understand. Then we'll just have to wait. I've finished eating now, come and sit with me in the bar. There is a large table, where we can play cards.'' The two women sat comfortably in front of the fire and played whist.
Then the gust threw open the front door.
And he stepped in.
Everyone in the bar looked at him. The man was tall, muscular and rugged. As he closed the door behind him, he glanced around. He noticed two beautiful young women playing cards by the fire, an old man enjoying his first pint of the day, two coachmen, and the innkeeper.
''Good day to you all. Innkeeper, a brandy please,'' he said, his voice booming across the room. ''A fire, excellent. Ladies, do you mind if I sit next to you? I have been out in this storm for hours, and I'm afraid I'm rather cold.''
Charlotte and Mary shuffled along the settle as the man took off his sodden cape and hat and sat down next to them.''
The Innkeeper brought him a brandy, and Charlotte studied him, nervously. Had the Duke sent him to find her, she asked herself? He looked as though he had had a hard life. He wasn't old, perhaps just three or four years older than Charlotte, but his rugged features made him look older. Charlotte found him attractive. It was his deep blue eyes and angular jaw. She wondered how he had got the scar on his cheek.
''Tell me, Sir, what made you ride through such inclement weather for so long that you are soaked to the skin?'' Charlotte asked.
“'I have to be in London by tomorrow, at the latest. But I fear the weather will prevent me. I have an important engagement there.''
''How interesting. I hope you don't think me too curious to ask you, but what is your line of business?''
''I'm an engineer. Tomorrow, I am to meet with the Duke of Westminster. He wants me to plan a new bridge over the Thames.''
Charlotte was suspicious. She hadn't liked him using the word Duke. It seemed to be a little too coincidental to her predicament. She also found it rather implausible, that the Duke of Westminster would choose a man from the North of England to build a bridge in London. Surely there were enough engineers in London, she thought.
''Are you two ladies waiting for the storm to pass before traveling further?''
''Yes, Sir. It's too dangerous for the horses to be out. We are going to wait here until it clears up,'' Charlotte said.
''Splendid. Then perhaps you will allow me to sit with you. I'll get some sherry.''
''It is really quite early for sherry. Perhaps tea?'' Mary said.
''No, Sherry will be fine. If we are to sit here all day, we may as well make merriment,'' Charlotte added.
''I'm am Ralph Bellington. I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance,'' he said as they each raised a glass.
''I am Georgina, and this is my maid Milly,'' Charlotte lied.
****
''Oh, you are so funny Ralph. That's a lovely story,'' Charlotte laughed. They had spent three hours sitting by the fire, drinking sherry and relating stories. Charlotte had been quite brilliant at making up a completely new life for her and Mary. They weren't from Eaton Hall but from Westfield Lodge. They weren't running away from the Duke but on their way to her cousin's wedding in London. Charlotte had lied perfectly throughout the whole afternoon, and she had enjoyed it enormously.
''Milly are you feeling alright?'' Charlotte asked as Mary's head sank to the table.
''I believe she is drunk, Miss Georgina,'' Ralph said.
''Oh dear, please help me. We have had rather a lot to drink. Will you help me to take her to her room?''
Charlotte and Ralph helped Mary to her feet and supported her, as they climbed the narrow staircase. They took off Mary's shoes and lay her on the bed.
''She'll be alright tomorrow. There's plenty of time for her to sleep it off,'' Ralph concluded.
''Yes, I hope so. Oops,'' Charlotte said, as she almost lost her footing and fell into Ralph's arms. ''I too have had a bit too much sherry. I think I should lie down. My room is next door.''