Lord Gilchrist strolled with determination ignoring the stares and startled screams from the rest of the guest in the busy inn. It didn’t take long for Heshing to notice him either.
Heshing turned to Lady Abigail and hissed, “Remember, you marry me, or you can kiss yours and your younger family member’s reputation goodbye.”
Heshing stood putting space between Gilchrist and Lady Abigail. For a moment Lady Abigail thought Lord Gilchrist might just barrel right through him. However, he stopped abruptly before Heshing and looked down on him.
Until this moment Lady Abigail had never realized how much taller Gilchrist was than most of the other men. He seemed to glare down at Lord Heshing with all the hate she had ever seen in a man’s eyes.
“Gilchrist, old boy, what a surprise to see you here," Heshing said casually.
“I have come to take Lady Abigail home, on behalf of her family,” Gilchrist said directly.
He spoke so calmly and at a steading pace that Lady Abigail suspected he had practiced saying it just so a few times. Heshing made a big deal about looking around Gilchrist.
“I don’t see the duke? How am I to know you are not here on your own delusional cause? Lady Abigail and I are in love and have decided to marry against the lies you have poisoned her family with.”
Lady Abigail watched Lord Gilchrist’s fists ball at his side. She knew Lord Heshing was only trying to get a rise out of him. If Heshing could get him to lose his temper and create a scene, he would be removed from the establishment. It would give Heshing the chance to escape.
As Lady Abigail sat there, she could only keep her mind on her nieces. It was for their sake she would continue with this charade. If they had an irrational aunt that eloped, they still would have a chance at happiness themselves. A ruined aunt, on the other hand, would seal their fate along with hers.
Luckily Lord Gilchrist didn’t take the bait. It was a control that Lady Abigail had yet to see in him before.
He leaned towards Lady Abigail instead, “His grace wanted to come, but the duchess took the news very hard. He felt the need to stay at her side.”
“Oh Isabella,” Lady Abigail spoke for the first time. “Is she alright?”
Heshing didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he grabbed Lady Abigail’s arm to pull her to stand.
“I am sure she is just causing a scene to force you home. You, however, know the consequences of such,” Lord Heshing added under his breath. “I believe we should be on our way, having nothing more to say to the gentleman.”
Lord Gilchrist looked into her eyes for any hint that she had changed her mind. Up until this moment, Lady Abigail had said next to nothing. For all he could see of the two, it would seem that Heshing was right.
Lord Gilchrist couldn’t believe that Lady Abigail had been tricked so easily by this man. How could she not see him as the fiend that he indeed was?
The tight grip of Heshing on her arm nor the confusing warning he spoke didn’t go unnoticed by Gilchrist. He took a step forward, catching Lady Abigail’s eyes wholly for the first time.
“If you don’t wish this, I can take you home now. Just say the word,” he encouraged.
“She has nothing to say to you,” Heshing replied trying to get between the two again.
“Actually, I do,” Lady Abigail said.
She would be sorry to sacrifice her niece's reputation, but her brother had clearly seen fault in this sham to send Gilchrist. He had to know that it wasn’t what she wished and that it was the work of an evil mind. Perhaps that alone would be hope yet for her nieces.
“I didn’t write the letter sent to my brother. Nor did I have any idea when I stepped into Heshing carriage yesterday that he planned to take me outside of town, certainly not to a marriage.”
“Then you are not willing in this?” Gilchrist said showing a light of hope for the first time.
“Of course she is,” Heshing said throwing daggers her way.
“No,” Lady Abigail said firmly. “Heshing recently confessed to me that he was in severe need of replenishing funds, when I refused to marry him against my family’s wishes, he devised this plan to force me instead.”
“Well then, I believe that settles the matter,” Gilchrist said turning to Heshing. “You will remove yourself from Lady Abigail and your person from this establishment before I do it by force.”
Heshing hesitated. The cold but fierce look in Gilchrist's eyes was not only calculatingly dangerous but also ready to act within an instance notice. For that reason, Heshing decided to do as he was told.
Lady Abigail melted back down into her seat. She gave a great exhale she hadn’t realized she was holding since yesterday afternoon. She knew this was only the beginning of the unraveling of this disaster, but at least it was a start.
Lord Gilchrist sat down too, once he was assured that Heshing had fully left the premises. He called over a maid to bring him some refreshment having not eaten since the day before.
He was weary in bone and spirit. At the same time, he was relieved that Lady Abigail was now safe and in his care. It was enough to make him collapse with exhaustion right there at the table.
“Are you truly alright? Did he hurt you…” Gilchrist hesitated for a moment before adding, “in any way?”
“No,” Lady Abigail said quietly. She looked down at her hands so embarrassed by not only her situation but the fact that it was Gilchrist whom she first had to stand before. “Nothing beyond my pride and reputation that is.”
“I believe we will stay here for the rest of the day,” Lord Gilchrist said satisfied with her answer to her physical health.
“I only came on horseback. I will need time to procure a coach. We are near Wintercrest. If you would like I could take you there instead to save you any unnecessary…”
Gilchrist seemed to trail off in his words, unsure how to say the next part.
“Gossip? Downcast looks? Or perhaps outright shameful things spoken of me? I believe all things you yourself have been forced to suffer and for far nobler a cause than mine.”
Lady Abigail took a deep sigh.
“I would like to make sure Isabella is alright. I will hate if this causes her or the baby any stress.”
“I will send a letter to them today. They will receive it quicker then we could possibly reach them.”
“I appreciate that,” Lady Abigail said softly. “In fact, thank you for all you did for me. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you.”
At that moment, they both looked around the room. There were still eyes glancing their way and a few downright nasty stares.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking,” Lady Abigail said after looking back towards the earl. “Why did you come? Trust me; I’m glad you did. But why would you accept to help me?”
“Your brother asked me to,” Gilchrist responded much shyer than usual.
“And you just said yes?” Lady Abigail asked unable to let the subject die.
“I care for your family very much. Isabella is like a sister to me. I would do just as much to help her as any other family member.”
Lord Gilchrist also wanted to tell Lady Abigail that he would do anything for her as well. That he hoped once her nerves were again settled, she would consent to marriage to such a beast as himself.
Lady Abigail was still reeling with the events of the last hour. She had gone from a desperate need to escape, to finding her rescuer before her. She had hoped her brother would come to her aid, but honestly, she felt no disappointment to see the Earl of Gilchrist instead.
Though the earl looked essentially dead on his feet, his hair was a frazzled blonde mess with sticks and leaves still stuck in it, and his clothes were covered in a thick layer of mud from the road, Lady Abigail had never seen a better sight.
“You will probably want to rest,” Lady Abigail finally said.
The conversation between them was so thick and tentative. It seemed to be a very raw situation for the both parties.
“Perhaps we should get some rooms?” She suggested further.
“Yes, of course. I am sure I am extra frightening in my state,” he responded waving a maid over.
“It’s not that,” Lady Abigail said not wanting him to think she saw any less of a knight in shining armor. “I mean you do look a fright,” she added with a giggle, “but only because you are still wearing most of the travel on your person.”
The earl relaxed into a smile at her words. It was the ice breaker they needed. He reached up into his hair and fingered out a stick before tossing it her direction.
After a hearty meal by the earl, the maid showed the two up to their own separate rooms to freshen up and rest. Lady Abigail was just as grateful for the time out of the carriage. She would have rather dreaded having to turn back around that instant and spend several more days without reprieve from the rocking and bumping.
The Earl of Gilchrist had meant to wash himself, freshen up his clothes and make preparations. Instead, he collapsed onto his bed, without even removing his boots, and slept more soundly then he could remember ever doing in the past.
Lady Abigail sat anxiously on the bed of her room. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was supposed to do now. She was grateful to be free of Heshing but at the same time didn’t know what consequences were in store for the rest of the single ladies in her family.
Her biggest worry was for Jackie. She was just the age to be entering society in the next few years. The stories of Lady Abigail’s run away and condition would still be fresh with the ton. Jackie would have a hard enough time as it was to make a good place in society with her unique parentage, Lady Abigail hated that she might have made things all the harder for her.
She thought perhaps it would be best to have the earl return her to Wintercrest. It would be better for Jackie if Lady Abigail were never seen in society again. Maybe in that small way she could improve chances for her niece.
It would mean setting aside her pride and hiding from those who would speak ill of her. She didn’t like the idea of shrinking away and hiding but saw no other alternative.
Lord Gilchrist woke just as the dusk was starting to make its presence known. He quickly washed in his now cold basin of water and saw to a carriage for their return trip tomorrow. It wasn’t until after he had found the proper transportation that he stood before Lady Abigail’s door to inquire if she would take dinner with him.
They sat at the same table Gilchrist had found her earlier that day as they ate their meal. It was just a spreading of ale, meat pie, and some boiled potatoes. It was humble but still served its purpose.
“I have procured a coach and a driver. We can leave first thing in the morning,” Gilchrist informed his companion.
“I was thinking,” Lady Abigail replied. “If it’s not too much trouble, I think I would rather return to Wintercrest Manor?”
“Of course,” Lord Gilchrist said doing his best to discern her reasoning. “It would actually be more convenient for me anyway. My country estate is only a day’s ride west of it.”
“Really?” Lady Abigail surprised to hear this. She had no idea that it was quite that close.
“Yes. Generally speaking though, we haven’t stayed at this house for quite some time. My father always enjoyed more staying in town. The estate is called Cumberton Park. I haven’t been there since I was a child and don’t remember much of it.”
“Will it be ready for you then?” Lady Abigail asked.
Indeed, it was the only reason he had stayed in London for so long after deciding to leave. A house out of use for so many years would take time to get ready and accumulate staff.
“As ready as can be needed for just one person,” Gilchrist responded. “I don’t think Louisa or my mother plan on stopping in anytime,” he added with a hint of humor.
“I just mean you are welcome at Wintercrest for as long as needed. I am sure my brother would gladly have you stay. He planned to return early from the season due to the duchess’s condition. Although now I do hope she will be able to travel. I would hate to think I had kept her away from the twins for much longer,” Lady Abigail said to herself.
Without much thought, Lord Gilchrist reached over the table and laid his hand on top of Lady Abigail. Though it was from the damaged side of his body, it was not as nearly scared as the rest of him. He rested it gently on the top of Lady Abigail’s hand and cherished the warm comfort of a touch. It was something he hadn’t experienced for some time.
“I am sure Isabella is fine. She is a tough girl.”
Lady Abigail didn’t pull away from his touch. In fact, she was just as comforted by it as his words. Though she would have thought to recoil at the roughness of the scar tissue, it was in fact actually very tender and delicate.