Page 9 of The Lovers (Echoes from the Past #1)

Gavin stepped from behind the carriage, his hat in his hands as he peered at Elise through the gloom.

He looked tired and anxious, his eyes searching Elise’s face for clues as she rushed toward him.

Elise walked into Gavin’s arms and rested her head on his chest. She’d never taken such liberties before, but this might be the last time they saw each other, so she threw caution to the wind.

Whatever happened, she was glad he’d come.

Not seeing him before the wedding or saying goodbye would have made things even more difficult to bear.

“Elise,” Gavin murmured as he pushed back the hood of her cloak and stroked her hair. “Oh, Elise.”

Elise opened her mouth to say something, but the only thing that came out was a choked sob.

She hadn’t meant to cry, but suddenly her predicament seemed unbearable.

All her hopes and dreams were being torn apart, replaced by a black void in which her future now lived.

She’d tried picturing her life with Lord Asher but drew a blank every time.

She knew nothing about the man, his life, or even his house.

She could picture his face, but nothing more.

“Gavin, I’m so sorry,” she finally choked out. “I wasn’t given a choice. The Celeste …”

“I know,” he replied gently as he continued to hold her close. “Come inside the carriage. I want to talk to you.”

Gavin reluctantly let her go, then opened the door of the carriage and handed her inside.

The interior felt like a tomb, but it did offer them more privacy should anyone decide to come in.

Once Elise’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she felt cocooned within the vehicle, momentarily safe from the world outside.

If only they could stay in the carriage forever, hidden from her father and future husband, who would claim her for his own in less than two weeks.

Gavin set aside his hat and turned to Elise, his eyes intent on her face. “Elise, I hold your father in very high esteem and would never dream of going against his wishes, but this is our once chance to thwart your marriage to Lord Asher.”

“Gavin,” Elise interjected, but he shook his head, wary of the interruption.

“Elise, come away with me. We can leave London tomorrow, or even today. I have enough put by to sustain us for several months until I find employment. We can go anywhere, even to the American colonies. We can be free,” Gavin pleaded.

“We’ll never be rich, but I will take care of you and our future family; you’ll never want for anything. ”

Elise huddled into the corner of the carriage for support, her heart racing wildly as she considered Gavin’s words. She wanted to throw her arms around him and tell him that yes, she would go with him, today, tomorrow, next week, or whenever he was ready. She’d sacrifice anything to be his wife.

Gavin’s earnest blue eyes held her gaze, begging her for an answer as he reached for her hands. “Say yes. We’ll make a life together, a good life.”

Elise lowered her eyes, staring at their intertwined hands.

If it were up to her, she’d give anything to be with him.

No sacrifice would be too great, but she had to think of her family.

Her father would be ruined if she ran off, as would her brothers who already had families to support.

Her sisters would be left with no dowry, and their reputation would be tarnished by association.

Amy would be fourteen in March. In a few short years, she would be ready to be wed, and her prospects would be nonexistent, thanks to a sister who selfishly ran off with no thought to her duty to her family.

“Gavin, I can’t,” Elise said miserably. “I can’t shame my father that way.

He’s facing utter financial ruin, and this will be the end of him.

Lord Asher will see that he’s disgraced and bankrupted if I humiliate him by running away.

How can I be happy living with the knowledge that I ruined so many lives? ”

“Elise, I know you have a duty to your family, but you have a duty to yourself as well.” Gavin looked stricken, as if the possibility of her refusal never figured in his plans.

“Do I? I’m just a woman, Gavin. I’ve nothing of my own, not even a voice.

My father speaks for me until such a time as I’m given away in marriage.

My only value is in how well I can marry and what I can bring to my family.

I want nothing more than to be your wife, but I have no right to be so selfish.

I’m the only one who can keep us from total ruin.

Please forgive me,” she whispered as she looked up into his shocked face .

“So be it, then,” Gavin replied, his tone laced with bitter defeat. He pulled his hands away and looked at her tear-streaked face, his eyes studying her features as he wordlessly said goodbye.

“I cannot continue working for your father, Elise. I will wait until spring, then sail to the colonies. There are opportunities for men like me. It’s a chance for a fresh start.

If you change your mind, before or even after the wedding, you know where to find me.

But, by April, I will be gone. I’ll wait for you until then. ”

“Don’t. I won’t be coming, Gavin. This is goodbye.”

Elise leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on Gavin’s lips, but he remained unresponsive.

“Goodbye, Elise. May God keep you,” he said as he exited the carriage, pushed his hat onto his head, and strode out of the carriage house, leaving her alone and bereft. Elise knew that she’d done the right thing, but it was a cold comfort when faced with a lifetime of sadness.