Page 72 of A Perfect Engagement
The Rivenhalls and Sophia Kingsley also arrived the same afternoon. Charlotte had helped Mrs. Howell organize and air out all the guest rooms and decide on meals. None of their guests were particularly fussy, and things got done with no trouble or drama. Instead of worrying over every detail, Charlotte allowed herself to enjoy spending time with the people around her.
Miles, as he insisted she call him now, came and stayed the entire week. At first, he acted as formal and quiet as always. But as the week progressed, he seemed to slowly relax. Charlotte organized long walks through woods. They had picnics where they all nibbled and talked and drank wine. And in the evenings, after dinner, they sat in a circle around an old oak table that Daniel and Miles dragged outside and placed underneath the grand old weeping willow by the pond. They sipped sherry and port while Josie chased dragonflies.
Miles and Lucius reached at the same time for the last biscuit on the plate.
“I’ll fight you for it,” Lucius said. “These are the best biscuits I’ve ever eaten.”
“Better not,” Phoebe piped in. “He looks like he’s been practicing.”
Everyone laughed. Miles’s black eye had been the butt of jokes for several days. Initially, Charlotte had been appalled at her father’s behavior. But by the time the story had been recounted several times, she’d begun to see the humor. Poor Miles, dressed as Daniel, had received the brunt of her father’s ire that morning.
Josie skipped over and held her arms up to Miles. He wrapped his arm around her, settling her in his lap. “Josie, care for a biscuit darling?”
“Yes, please.”
Miles smirked at Lucius and plucked the last biscuit from the plate. He handed it to the little girl and gave her forehead a kiss.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.” Ellie turned to Charlotte. She pulled a folded piece of parchment from the bodice of her gown. “We found another letter.”
Lucius raised his eyebrows and leaned forward. “What else have you got down there, darling?”
Ellie sent him a sharp look. “They don’t make dinner gowns with pockets.” She shrugged. “Sophia and I have been poking around the shelves at Mr. Buxley’s shop. But with the wedding and all that happened… I’d forgotten about it.” She passed the letter to Charlotte.
“What letters?” Miles asked.
“The ladies found several love letters tucked into books from the bookshop in Marbury.” Daniel leaned toward Charlotte to look down at the letter she had opened, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “The gentleman is quite effusive.”
“Have you read it?” she asked Ellie.
“Yes, it’s lovely.” Ellie sighed and pressed a hand to her heart.
Lucius frowned. “Let me see that.” He made a grab for the letter, but Charlotte held it out of reach.
“Not a chance. I don’t need you ridiculing the sentiment. Besides, it’s not appropriate for children.” She looked pointedly at Josie.
“Well, now, I’m definitely interested.” Her brother made another swipe for the letter.
Daniel intervened by snatching up the letter and tucking it into his jacket pocket. He gave her a wink. “We’ll just read this later…together.” Daniel kissed her temple before settling back in his chair.
“I managed to charm some information from Mr. Buxley,” Sophia said. “He gave me the address of the bookseller in London where he bought the crate. He confirmed that the book we found the newest letter in was from the same crate as the others. Turns out he keeps meticulous ledgers, even if the organization of his shelves would lead one to think otherwise.”
“I, for one, am determined to find out who wrote these letters,” Ellie said. “I must know how the love affair ended. Did they live happily ever after? Or did society’s rules tear them apart?” She bit viciously into a slice of apple.
“Aren’t the letters addressed?” Miles asked.
“No, the address page is torn off and they have no dates either. He signs themlove, J. They could have been written a century ago for all we know,” Daniel replied.
“No, I don’t think so. The books they were found in were written far more recently than that.” Charlotte interjected. “Evelinawas written in perhaps 1780.”
“Hmm, that makes for an interesting puzzle.” Miles appeared intrigued.
Charlotte held back a laugh remembering how singleminded he had been during the scavenger hunt. That day felt so long ago, even though it had only been a month past. She let the conversation over the letters flow around her as she enjoyed the unusual feeling of calm settle into her bones. She slid her hand into Daniel’s to intertwine her fingers with his. Life could be complicated, but love didn’t have to be. She preferred to believe that the two lovers had found a path to their own happy ending.
*
Saturday dawned toclear blue skies and sunshine pouring through the windows. Charlotte rolled out of Daniel’s arms and stepped out of bed to don her nightgown. Daniel growled low, and his hand shot out to grasp a fistful of her shift. She neatly sidestepped out of reach.
“I wish you never to wear clothes in this bedroom, ever.” He looked over at her with heavy-lidded eyes.
