It was unusual, to say the least, for there to be a knock at my bedchamber door at near 4:00 in the morning. I swivelled round in my chair and directed a penetrating glance at it. Not penetrating enough, however, for it remained obstinately solid. So I did what I ought to have done in the first place and directed Bridget, my maid, to open it. 

 She hurried over and it revealed Henry, the footman. 

 'I'm sorry, Miss,' he stammered. ‘But he said it was urgent.’ Bridget brought me the letter he'd been holding and I ripped it open. 

 

My Love,

      Something terrible has happened. I need to see you urgently. I'm waiting outside in my carriage. Please come, if you love me.  

Lucas. 

 

I knew I shouldn't go. But I also knew before I'd even finished reading that I would. What woman in love would decide differently? I crumpled the note as though it was of no importance and spoke crisply. 

 ‘Thank you, Henry. You may go. You too Bridget.’

 ‘But, Miss Lydia, your hair…'

 ‘One night of not having my hair brushed with a hundred strokes won't kill me. I'm too exhausted. Goodnight.’

 She knew better than to argue further. 

 As soon as I was alone I wrapped myself in my warmest cloak. My hair was too thick and long for me to put up again by myself, so I twisted in a quick knot and shoved it inside a bonnet. Picking up my reticule, I put the note inside so that Bridget couldn't come back and read it and stole downstairs. Knowing the front door would be locked and heavy I slipped through a side door which was only bolted. The coach was there, just as Lucas had promised. When I appeared a servant got down and opened the door for me. I allowed him to hand me in. 

 I was jerked back hard against the seats as the carriage took off at breathtaking speed. Looking wildly around I saw I was alone inside. Was I being taken to Lucas? Where was he?

 It was pitch black and I'd  no idea what direction we were going in. Occasionally, I thought I could see in the light of the lamps someone riding hard beside us. 

 ‘You are not frightened Lydia,’ I told myself. ‘You're just being taken to Lucas, that's all. And he would never harm you.’ As soon as I saw Lucas everything would be explained. And it would be all right, I was sure of it. Definitely. 

 Hours passed. The ball I'd attended earlier in the evening felt like days ago. And unimportant. Yet, it had been such a great occasion for me at the time. For a tradesmen's daughter to even gain entrance into the hallowed precincts of Almack's had been a feat only my mother and lots of money could accomplish. And I'd then been asked to dance by the notoriously fastidious Lord Hardley. Such a social triumph had so far not come my way, for, though not an antidote, my brown colouring was unfashionable and I wasn't considered a beauty. Of course, I'd ensured his lordship didn't continue to be pleased with me by being missish. If he'd shown any more interest mother may have gotten ideas and forbidden my marriage to Lucas, a mere commoner with a modest estate. Indeed, could it be that he was now eloping with me? I sat up straighter. He'd not been at the ball but could he have heard about his lordship's attentions and been alarmed? But surely you don't elope with someone without telling them? 

 Eventually, I got tired of thinking. I could see no solution as to why I was being driven away at such pace in the early hours of the morning. I gave up and slept. 

 When I awoke it was getting light. The carriage had stopped. I was conscious that I was no longer alone. Lucas?

'You're a cool customer, m’dear,’ said a faintly amused voice. ‘Not many ladies of my acquaintance would sleep through their own abduction.'

 'Is that what this is?' I responded, as lightly as I could. 'I was not certain.'

I sensed that the man next to me was impressed. I was just thankful he could not hear my heart because, for the first time, I was truly frightened. But I vowed I wouldn't let him see it. I was in no mood to give him the satisfaction. 

 Lord Hardley jerked his head in the direction of the window, saying, 'we are now going to breakfast at that inn. They are expecting us. You will oblige me by not making a fuss.'

I lifted my chin, which he took for a sign of rebelliousness, as indeed it was. His voice became softer, but more dangerous, and his eyes narrowed. 

 'It would do you no good to challenge me, Miss Chatton. If you decide to make a scene I will say you are my mad cousin, whom I am escorting to an asylum. They will believe me because I am Lord Hardley. They will even agree with me if I say that some force is necessary to restrain you.'

 I believe I paled a little and he nodded. 'Yes, it will be much more sensible to come inside quietly and have a peaceful breakfast with me.'

 I thought about saying that I would remain in the carriage, but my hunger got the better of me. I allowed myself to be handed down with what shreds of dignity I could muster. They were not many. I managed to keep my head high, but it was beyond my power to keep my hand from shaking in his. Considerably nettled by this, I refused to be escorted into the inn and stalked through the yard on my own. He got his own back, however, by sauntering along at such a leisurely pace that I was obliged to stop and wait for him at the door, since I didn't know what arrangements he'd made. Presumably, we were not here under our own names and I had no intention of giving myself away. By the time he caught up with me I was in a towering rage. Lord Hardley did not seem to notice though, he merely showed me into the parlour, where breakfast had already been laid. I decided to satisfy my hunger before I opened an attack. 

 'I see your adventures this morning have not, at least, taken away your appetite.'

 'As a matter of fact, my lord, they seem rather to have increased it,' I replied candidly. 

 He laughed then and I saw for a moment why some ladies I knew found him attractive, though I personally was not a fan of his hazel-eyed, thin-lipped style of looks. But he looked far less cold and severe when he laughed. Was I pleased with myself for having caused it? I rather think that I was. 

 'Perhaps you will be so good as to tell me where we are headed, my lord?'

 'Can you not guess? I had thought you more intelligent.'

 'If it were anyone but yourself I think I could guess. But I’m not vain enough to think that you even noticed my existence before the ball last night.'

 'Perhaps you have some intelligence after all, m'dear.'

 'I am not your dear.'

 'What a pity.'

 I bristled. 'I insist upon knowing your intentions.'

 'Oh, they are very honourable, I assure you.'

 'And yet I am not assured, my lord. Rather the opposite.'

 'You are very hard to please. We’re on our way to Gretna Green. Satisfied?'