Page 48 of A Perfect Engagement
“She’s not with me,” Miss Spencer said.
Reining in his disappointment, he remembered his manners and tipped his hat. “You look lovely this morning, Miss Spencer.”
Miss Spencer arched an eyebrow. “I have a message for you. Charlotte said it’s no use waiting; she doesn’t wish to speak to you. She is trying to focus her attention on her actual intended these last two days. She doesn’t wish to hear any more of your lies.” Miss Spencer crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Somewhat stunned by Charlotte’s message, Daniel dropped back on the bench. He hadn’t lied to her. He just hadn’t told her everything about himself. Hell, they’d only known each other one week. Ripping off his hat he ran a hand through his hair.
Miss Spencer sighed loudly. “All right, she didn’t say the last part. But I’m sure it’s what she is thinking.”
Daniel stood, his already frayed emotions snapping. He stalked slowly over to tower over Miss Busybody. “Or is it what you think she should be thinking? Is any of what you just told me the truth?” Charlotte’s friend did not step back. She lifted her chin defiantly, and he grudgingly admired her spirit. He knew he cut an intimidating figure, at a good foot taller and seven stones heavier than her.
“Of course it is. She would like to concentrate her attention on where it should be focused, her real fiancé. Charlotte is feeling very confused.” Miss Spencer noticed her blunder immediately. Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to figure out how to take it back.
“Well, so am I,” Daniel roared. He closed his eyes for a moment in an attempt to calm his temper. “Wait, how did she know I was out here waiting for her?” He looked around again for Charlotte.
Miss Spencer pointed up to a pair of windows on the second floor. “She spotted you from her room.” She rolled her eyes and turned on her heel to leave. But after just a few steps, she pivoted back. “Did you send her a box of marzipan yesterday morning?”
Daniel shook his head. “No, why?”
Miss Spencer’s lips pursed into a thin line. “Charlotte’s maid became ill yesterday after eating half a box of marzipan, which was delivered to Charlotte with a note supposedly from you attached.”
“Will she be all right?” Daniel asked.
“Yes, just a stomach upset. She is resting comfortably now. It worried me because the other night Charlotte’s notes for the reading were switched out for a nasty caricature meant to upset her, now candy meant to make her sick. It’s very troubling.”
Daniel couldn’t agree more. “The other day, the cinch on her horse’s girth had been loosened, and the saddle fell sideways after a jump. Charlotte fell but fortunately wasn’t hurt. We blamed the negligence of the stable boys, but perhaps it was tampered with on purpose. She needs to go speak to her father immediately.”
“I agree, but she feels if she brings attention to the pranks, it will just play to the culprit’s ego.”
“These are far more nasty than simple pranks. She could be hurt. I need to speak to her. I can convince her to ask for help.”
Miss Spencer scoffed. “A nice attempt, Weston. I will let her know what you said, and she will make a decision about what she wants to do. Oh, and Charlotte said to stop touching her lilac. You clearly don’t know what you are doing.”
Daniel laughed out loud as she walked away. There was no doubt about it. He clearly had no idea what he was doing.
After a bracing walk through the park, Daniel made his way back around the lake along the grassy path. Glancing into the gazebo as he passed by, he was disappointed to find it empty. Lord, he needed to get Charlotte out of his head. Images of her flicked one after the other; her wide, serious eyes, her pert nose scrunched in worry, her silky dark hair that always escaped its pins, her full hips swaying as she hurried across the room. The images taunted him with all of what he couldn’t have. Of what wasn’t his. He shook his head in an effort to dislodge the pictures. Perhaps he should go find his brother.
“Daniel Weston. There you are.” Aunt Diana marched across the grass toward him, her expression one of pure determination. A large ostrich feather attached to her hat waved vigorously in the breeze.
Hell and damnation. He’d forgotten all about his aunt. He held his arms wide and pasted on a smile. “Aunt Diana, how nice to see you.”
She came to a stop right in front of him. Her hands rose to her hips. “When did you arrive? Really, Daniel, I haven’t seen you in an age. And you don’t come to see me immediately upon arrival. Well, I should tar and feather you for such neglect.”
“I’m sorry, Aunt. I thought I would see you at dinner last night. I would never purposely avoid my favorite family member.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek.
She wound her hand around his forearm. “I was feeling a bit overwrought yesterday evening and decided to have dinner in my room. All these activities tire a body out. It’s unnatural to be so continuously diverted. But now that you are here, I will rally. After all, I have decided to lend my help in your effort to find a wife.”
Aunt Diana was certainly not going to beat around the bush. They began to stroll between the neat garden beds. “What makes you think I am looking for a bride, Aunt.”
“Well, you should be. Look at your brother. He found himself a lovely young lady to marry. Once you have settled down, then I can be at peace knowing both my boys are happy.”
Aunt Diana always referred to Miles and him as her boys. It had been Diana who helped fill the terrible empty space left behind after their mother’s death. She had given hugs, listened to boyhood troubles, and read bedtime stories. Their father had withdrawn completely, and for a few years, it had felt like both their parents had passed. Diana never grieved for her younger sister in front of them. She had been a rock of stability in a sea of sorrow.
“Life right now is more complicated than I thought possible. I don’t think I’m in the mood to look for a wife.”
“Nonsense. What is so complicated? Tell me what you have been doing since you returned from Greece.” She patted his arm.
This was his opening.Tell her about Josie and Phoebe.“I have opened up Brooksdale and have been fixing the manor up. She is still a beauty, but there have been lots of repairs needed. The grounds are as lovely as always. The lavender fields will need to be replanted this spring. And I have been implementing some new projects, including a new herd of sheep from the highlands, and I want to buy a couple of mares to breed with Hercules.”
