Page 44 of A Perfect Engagement
“He did? He always liked to show off,” Hawksridge muttered. Then he stepped closer and offered his hand. “Miss Grisham, can you forgive me? I had the best of intentions, I swear.”
Charlotte stared at his gloved hand. She didn’t really have a choice. He was her intended, after all. “It was not the best way to start off, Hawksridge. But I suppose I can see how you thought you were sparing my feelings.” She grasped his hand and stood. “I forgive you.”
He tucked her hand in his elbow and led her out of the gazebo. “Since I have been at the party all week, you will have to fill me in on what I have been up to.” Miles smiled at her. Not a polite smile, but a genuine smile. One that made him, for the first time, look exactly like his brother.
Chapter Nineteen
Daniel finished brushingHercules, then gave his horse an apple from his pocket. Hercules took an enormous bite then nuzzled Daniel’s shoulder in thanks. He patted the horse’s neck. “That’s a good boy. You just relax; you deserve it.” He tossed his saddlebag over one shoulder and strode out of the stall.
The stables were quiet this afternoon. Daniel pulled out his watch, almost five o’clock. He would need to hurry to wash up and change for dinner. He had raced back to Markham House with hopes he could catch Charlotte alone and explain, but she had more than a two-hour head start on him. At this point, he needed to dress for dinner and try to pull her aside sometime this evening.
“You rogue!”
Daniel swiveled around to find Miss Spencer glaring at him. Lady Susanna stood at her side, hands on her hips. Both ladies looked fit to be tied.
“Pardon?” he replied.
Miss Spencer stalked over. She glanced left, then right. “You’re married? How could you seduce her when you have a wife at home? Despicable!” she whispered furiously.
“I see you have spoken to Charlotte.” He ran a hand through his hair. “For the record, I did not seduce anyone. It was a kiss. A mutual pressing of lips.”
Lady Susanna’s eyes narrowed. “So you do not deny it?”
“It? You mean the accusation I am a married lecher seducing my brother’s fiancée?” he said wryly—Lord, what a cock-up. “Listen, this is a misunderstanding. I’m not married.”
“But Charlotte said the little girl called you Papa,” Miss Spencer said.
Damn it, she’d heard that? No wonder she ran away. He really needed to speak with Charlotte. Her friends continued to gaze at him with skepticism. Hell, this was none of their damn business. “It is true. Josie is my daughter.” Both women gasped. “But the details of my personal life are exactly that, personal. If you will excuse me, ladies.” He turned on his heel.
“Lord Hawksridge,” Lady Susanna called out. Daniel turned around. “You might like to know your brother has arrived. We overheard the stable boys talking about the new guest.”
This day just continued to get better and better. Daniel sighed and adjusted the saddlebag he carried. “Thank you, Lady Susanna.” He shoved his hat onto his head and set off across the lawns toward the house.
*
“She knew itwasn’t you from the first moment practically. Charlotte notices everything.”
Daniel leaned against the wall as his brother handed his valet clothing from the trunk he had brought along. He had put off washing up and gone directly to see Miles. Now that they were both in the house, they needed to switch back identities and get their stories straight. Apparently, Miles had already got an earful from Charlotte about their attempted masquerade.
“Charlotte, is it? Isn’t that a bit familiar?” Miles raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, I’m familiar with her after this week. You have a lot of catching up to do, brother.” He wandered over to sit on the bed. Sunshine spilled in from the tall windows. “Do you really need all this clothing just for the three remaining days?”
Miles and his valet both stopped and gave him withering looks. He held up his hands in a gesture of peace. “Let’s see—Charlotte and I were accidentally dunked in the lake, I handled her inebriated brother, we ate cake together.” He left out the parts where he helped her loosen her corset, where they kissed. Best not to be too informative. “So yes, she allowed me to call her Charlotte.”
“You fell into the lake?” Miles wore an incredulous expression.
“Our boat tipped over when one of her friends attempted to switch boats mid-lake. Just wait till you meet her friends.” He laughed. “Let’s see, the red-haired one is Lady Susanna Ashby. Miss Eleanor Spencer is the brunette who always frowns disapprovingly at you. Are you paying attention?”
Miles glanced up from laying out his shaving kit. “What? There’s more?”
“Yes, there are more. Lady Olivia Rivenhall is the statuesque blonde. She is here with her husband. And you have already met Mrs. Sophia Kingsley, the olive-skinned beauty.”
“Yes, Mrs. Kingsley. I have never met a woman who chattered more. I pity her husband,” Miles said.
“That’s strange. I haven’t heard her say a handful of words this week. She is usually reading a book in the corner,” Daniel replied.
“All right, what else can you tell me? Did I make any deals with the devil, start any fights? What about Aunt Diana? She doesn’t know it was you, does she?”
