Page 8 of One Wicked Kiss

She walked quietly out of the room and slipped into the one next door. Natalia prayed she wouldn’t find Callista and Edward in the midst of making love. Luckily, there was no movement in the bed. She had to retrieve her valise from the room before she made her escape. A servant had told her that it had finally be located and delivered to the room after she’d departed. She leaned down to pick up the valise.

“Leaving so soon?”

Natalia gasped. “Callista you scared me.”

“Come out in to the hallway darling,” she said. “We’ll talk more there and let the duke get his beauty rest.”

They both exited the room and closed the door behind them. Callista lifted her hand and brushed a strand of Natalia’s hair behind her ear. “Tell me,” she began. “Did you have a lovely evening with Darcy?”

It had been wonderful. “Lucas was a perfect gentleman.” He’d kept their passion to a few kisses nothing more. Though she’d have made love with him if he’d pressed. She almost wished he had. “I trust that your duke wasn’t?” Natalia lifted a brow.

“Edward is always a gentleman—but a woman prefers something more wicked in bed.” She winked. “You’ll discover that for yourself one day. I take it you are still insistent on running away. Let me help you.”

Callista’s assistance was preferable to Lucas’s. She didn’t want him involved. It would be easier to set him free if he didn’t know where she was headed. “How?”

“I don’t need to know your story,” Callista said. “It’s enough you feel the need to disappear. I discussed the particulars with the servant who retrieved your valise.” She handed her a small purse. “There are several pounds in this for you to use, along with how you can reach me if you should need me. Go downstairs and ask for a Mr. Ross. He’ll take you wherever you wish to go. Please let me know when you arrive safely. I’ll worry.”

Natalia nodded. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Your gratitude is unnecessary. We’re family and family protects each other—at least that’s how it is supposed to work.” Callista pulled her into a quick hug. “Now go before Darcy realizes you’re gone. He won’t like that you’ve left without saying goodbye. Don’t worry; your secret is safe with me. I’m rather good at keeping things to myself.”

Natalia didn’t waste any time. She rushed down the stairs and located the man Callista had directed her to. Not long after that she was on her way out of Canterbury and headed to Dover. She wasn’t sure what her future held, but at least Lucas would be safe. No one would ever know that he’d captured her heart in an instant. It was better this way…

* * *

Lucas rolledover on the bed and reached across the silk coverings. His eyelids fluttered open when he realized he was alone. Where had Lia gone? He came to a sitting position and scanned the room quickly. She wasn’t there…

A sick feeling settled into the bottom of his stomach. She’d been so frightened the night before and admitted she was running from a forced betrothal. He hoped she’d trust him enough to allow him to help her. Maybe he was wrong and she’d gone downstairs to break her fast. He slipped on his boots and went toward the door. It flew open before he had a chance to reach it.

“Ah, good, you’re awake,” Edward said. “The carriage has been brought around. Mrs. Klaus was good enough to make a basket of food for us to take along with us. I don’t want to stay for the large breakfast she’s prepared. There are some odd individuals here.”

Lucas shook his head. “Is Lia with the countess?”

“Lia?” Edward lifted a brow. “Oh, you must mean the girl we rescued. I haven’t seen her all morning. Callista is packing her trunk. A servant will be by to load all of them on the carriage in a moment.”

He’d been right… Lia had left him… Lucas took a deep breath and refused to give in to the melancholy threatening to rush over him. He’d find her and convince her they belonged together. Surely she hadn’t deceived him and her feelings had been real too. He doubted she could have feigned that passion, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t.

“I didn’t even open my trunks and they can go down now,” Lucas replied. “I just need to tie my cravat and replace my waistcoat and jacket.”

“Wonderful,” Edward replied. “I can’t wait to leave this establishment.”

Lucas refrained from rolling his eyes. His friend was acting every inch the stuffy duke. He’d been in plenty of brothels before. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”

He’d go with him to Weston Manor as planned. There wasn’t a lot he could do in Canterbury. Lucas doubted Lia stayed in the town. There was nothing there for her. It was more likely she went to a seaside village and planned to escape England altogether. He prayed he found her before she did anything so drastic. They belonged together and he would prove it to her, but first he had to locate her. As long as he held on to hope it would give him the strength to go on. Once they were together again he’d marry her. He loved her…