Page 32 of The Gentlewoman Author

“You and I are through being stifled.” Over the past few weeks, each time she and Tobias met, they spoke for a few minutes on this theme. Now that there was no longer any hope of marriage with John, these conversations were precious.

He held her hand between both of his and brought it to his chest as if it were a fragile treasure. “My estate includes a bit of land near Chesterfield. It has been mismanaged and is rundown, but the more I think of it, the more I believe I would enjoy the challenge of farming. And it would benefit my mother and sister.”

“Tell me what it looks like, Tobias.” Louisa tried his name on her tongue and found it sweet.

“Louisa.” His handsome face stretched into a smile that felt like an embrace. “There is a little cottage with green rolling hills, perfect for sheep or whatever livestock you like. A little river runs through the back and there are trees for climbing and paths for exploring.” He continued describing a serene paradise, a place of freedom and peace. His narrative took hold of her and grew in her mind. She saw herself in emerald hills, carrying baskets to the villagers, her children swinging from the trees and rushing into a warm kitchen with a scraped knee, a line of trout, or an empty belly.

The tenderness of her thoughts settled like mulled wine in her stomach. While there was no Tobias Savage in her imaginings, he existed in the peripheries.

“Come with me, Louisa?” His eyes were dark and earnest.

“Where?”

“Come home with me. Start a new life. You and I are the same. Restless.” He was close to her, and his body warmed her from her shoulder to her knee. She had never been so close to a man. His scent was alluring, spicy and warm, an almost intoxicating smell that made her think of putting her face to his neck to inhale.

“Is this an offer of marriage?” She breathed the question, leaning closer to him.

He was moving to take hold of her other hand, but his motion stopped. He did not respond for a moment. “Yes. But let’s not do it the conventional way. We can travel north, to Gretna Green.”

“Like Penelope and Richard.” Her breath came fast. Could she? Dare she?

“Exactly so.” His lips covered hers, and she melted into him. He wanted her, understood and accepted her. She would agree to anything he asked of her.

His mouth slid from hers. “Let’s go tonight.”

Louisa’s heart set off in a gallop. To leave so soon. Her time in Bath was drawing to a close with a week remaining of the eight her father had given her. While Aunt Mary persisted in her belief that she would become engaged to Mr. Fletcher, Louisa never would accept him. He was far too old, they had nothing in common, and there was no passion, no spark, no yearning between them. She knew he had no feelings for her, but Tobias loved her. “I have arrangements to make. I must think it through.”

Tobias lifted the corner of his upper lip in an almost sneer, but she understood that his expressions were often misunderstood. “No, darling. We mustn’t wait for our courage to wane. Your maid is loyal to you, is she not? She can pack your things, and you will be ready in a few hours.”

“She can serve as chaperone.” Louisa was not certain Nellie would come. Mary employed her, but there was a chance, and her company would make all the difference.

He scratched his chin and explained that since they were to be married, they required no chaperone. But Louisa was not some silly girl. She read plenty of novels and knew better than to do anything without a chaperone.

She lowered her head and looked up at him through her lashes in an attitude that showed her to advantage. “I must insist on bringing Nellie. She is indispensable.”

Tobias started to say something, and Louisa was sure he would argue against bringing the maid. Louisa put her finger on his lips, a gesture she had fantasized trying on John, and said, “I insist. I will come with Nellie or not at all.”

Tobias agreed, and it was settled between them to meet at three that morning and set off to Gretna Green.

On the carriage ride home, Louisa’s nerves were in shreds. Surely her secret was stamped on her face. Aunt Mary and Mrs. Eliot would pepper her with questions about the evening, but she kept her answers short, and her face averted.

Once inside, she kissed her aunt on the cheek and bid a hasty goodnight. Halfway up the stairs, she remembered that the next morning, she would be gone. Turning around, she descended the stairs and took Aunt Mary by both hands.

“Thank you, Aunt. You are very good to bring me here.”

“Well, I…” Aunt Mary seemed too shocked to say more.

“I know you were thinking of my mother when making this plan, and I want you to know I appreciate it.”

Her aunt flinched a little. Strange. Perhaps her motives were not so pure, though Louisa could not imagine what they were. “I do love you very much, Louisa.” Aunt Mary pressed a soft hand to Louisa’s cheek. The touch was almost Louisa’s undoing, but she excelled at swallowing her tears.

“Goodnight, Aunt. Thank you for everything.” And she meant it. Without the inspiration of her brave aunt, she would never dare leave with Mr. Savage. “And thank you, Mrs. Eliot, for hosting us. You’ve been wonderful.” She rushed up the stairs and sat on the bed to wait for Nellie.

The whole scheme depended on the maid’s acquiescence, the final piece that would give Louisa freedom. At last, Nellie entered with a cheerful “good evening” and began unpinning Louisa’s gown. While each removed pin freed her from the shell of her clothing, Louisa’s insides tightened, and her presence of mind devolved into agitation, the rehearsed plea for help elusive. Where to begin?

“I am eloping, and I hope you will come with me?” Her words came out in a tense rush, and she held her breath.

Nellie stilled and stared into her face. The eye contact stung Louisa’s eyes. “I will not betray my mistress.”