Page 46 of Charlotte's Kisses

She was almost to her chamber when someone grabbed her shoulder. “Lucy, is my sister still awake?”

She swung around to face Alexander.

“Charlie, what the blazes?”

She did not have the strength or desire to offer an excuse for why she was wandering about in Lucy’s clothing. “What do you want?” she asked, exhaustion lacing her question.

“Father wishes to speak to you in his study.”

Shoulders slumped, she followed Alexander down the hallway.

Her father sat behind his massive desk, looking as ill as Charlotte felt. Something was quite wrong. She rushed to his side.

“Papa, are you unwell?”

“Please have a seat, my darling girl.”

This could not be good because he had not called hermy darling girlin forever.

She sat beside Alexander, and then, preparing for the worst, she leaned forward and waited.

“Lord Nash visited earlier today.”

Invisible insects tiptoed up her arms and across her shoulders.

“He has asked for your hand in marriage, and I have consented.”

“Nay.” Charlotte leaped from her seat. “How could you? I will never agree to marry him.”

“I am afraid it has been arranged,” her father said.

“I will not do it,” she said.

Alexander sighed. “Charlie, you must marry. You do not want to be an on-the-shelf spinster.”

“I would rather be a spinster than marry George.”

“Be reasonable,” her father said. “He comes from a fine family and has a considerable fortune. You shall never want for anything.”

“I hate him,” she spat out.

“Look at it this way,” Alexander said. “Once you marry, you can leave this place, and you never have to deal with our stepmother again. I, for one, would take that deal in a second if I had the option.”

“Alexander,” Papa scolded.

“Good God, Father, how daft can you be? The woman abuses Charlie, and she treats me as if…”

Papa squinted at Alexander. “How does she treat you?”

“Never mind,” Alexander said.

Her brother was aware of her predicament. Was she relieved he had noticed or furious that he had never done anything to protect her?

Charlotte plopped onto Alexander’s lap and hugged him. He played with a loose tendril of her hair as he hugged her back. Once their embrace ended, she punched him in the shoulder.

“Ouch.” Alexander rubbed his arm. “What the blazes has gotten into you?”

“You knew, and you never stood up for me? Or even consoled me?”