Page 55 of Charlotte's Kisses

Lady Chesterhill scoffed. “I have no need of her. Take her into the woods and cut out her heart. Feed her body to the wolves for all I care. Just be sure to dispose of it.” She held up her hand. Jewels glistened from every finger. “And do not dally.”

Only a greedy villainess would wear priceless diamonds and rubies with her nightclothes. This had to be a nightmare. Once Charlotte awoke, this would all be over.

After blinking a few times, it became apparent this was no bad dream. If a miracle did not save her, Charlotte would meet the end of her days, and that simply would not do. She was not ready to leave her earthly body. It had been forever since she had told Papa and Alexander that she loved them. She wanted a puppy of her very own. Who would take care of Snowball and Cricket?

She would never have children.

She would never see Hugh again…

“My lady, you cannot be serious,” Leon said. “Lord Chesterhill will kill every last one of us if we harm his daughter.”

“He will never know. We shall start a rumor.” Lady Chesterhill dramatically tapped a finger to her cheek, feigning thoughtfulness. “Oh, I know. Did you hear that Charlotte Beckett, the daughter of the Marquess of Chesterhill, ran off with a rake named Hugh Fletcher? They have been secretly having an affair, and since they are not of the same class and were not permitted to marry, they ran away together.”

The woman’s malicious grin sent chills up Charlotte’s spine.

Her stepmother glowered at her. “I will make sure that the simpering lady’s maid of yours hears. She will fall apart, making the story quite believable.”

If Charlotte could have talked, she would have insisted that poor Lucy not become a pawn in this evil charade.

A clammer from the other side of the room startled Charlotte.

Hugh had somehow freed himself and tossed one of his captors over his shoulder. The caped man landed on his back with athud.

Her miracle. Brave, heroic Hugh would save them.

Complete chaos erupted as Hugh fought through their enemies to reach Charlotte’s side. Meanwhile, Snowball screeched and ran from her hiding place right into Lady Chesterhill’s clutches.

Hugh slammed Leon in the face, knocking him backward. Grabbing her wrist, her hero pulled her toward the door. But Charlotte could not leave, not with her stepmother holding Snowball captive.

“Take another step, and I will strangle this wretched beast,” Lady Chesterhill said.

With his hand poised to open the chamber door, Hugh faced Lady Chesterhill. The gag muffled his pained groan.

Leon stood beside his mistress, his eyes wide with what looked like horror.

Lady Chesterhill clutched the squirming kitten to her bosom as she slithered to them.

“’Tis such a shame because if you keep this up, you will no longer have that pretty face.” She slapped Hugh so hard that his head flew to the side.

“Hugh,” Charlotte tried to cry out.

Hot anger radiated from Hugh as he stared down their enemy.

“Get her out of my sight,” Lady Chesterhill said.

Leon lifted Charlotte and tossed her over his shoulder. “I shall also dispose of the kitten, my lady. If you could be so kind as to put it into that basket.”

Charlotte could not discern much draped over the mammoth man’s shoulder. But she could imagine her stepmother’scheeks growing red with anger upon discovering Charlotte had borrowed a basket from Cook. And she suspected Snowball scratched the wicked woman since she hissed out, “Ouch. You horrible little beast.” Unless she was calling Charlotte names, which she often did.

“Bring me her heart,” Lady Chesterhill reminded Leon as he carried Charlotte into the hall. “And do not make any more errors.”

From her upside-down position, Charlotte searched for Hugh. She caught his gaze for one second before the door closed between them.

Charlotte clutched her basket so tightly that her knuckles burned. Snowball eventually no longermeowed loud enough to wake every slumbering woodland creature.

Without a candle or lantern, it had taken forever for Charlotte’s eyes to adjust to the moonlit night. The ground was slick with mud and leaves, and she slipped twice as Leon dragged her through the forest. While they trudged along in silence, she used her jaw muscles to loosen her gag. She watched with satisfaction as it tumbled to the ground.

“She is quite cruel, so why do you answer her every beck and call?” Charlotte asked.