Page 56 of A Perfect Engagement
Charlotte flinched. “When you lay it out so baldly, it certainly sounds shocking.” She let go of his hand and stepped away. He studied her profile as she gazed out through the trees.
“Charlotte, why did you come to Brooksdale?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I wanted to see your home. I didn’t want to face a party full of guests without you by my side… I wanted to speak with you about what happened the night before.” She spoke, still facing away from him.
The night they kissed. That night had been a huge mistake on his part. He had tasted forbidden fruit, and now all he could do was think about kissing her again. But this would be his private torment. She belonged with his brother.
“I know kissing you was wrong. I cannot regret it happened, but I know it cannot happen again. I truly apologize, Charlotte. My intent was not to take advantage of you.” He tugged her hand until she faced him.
Her eyes searched his face. “You cannot regret it?” she asked.
“No, not when it felt so right.”
“I know what you mean.” His heart skipped a beat at her words. But her eyes clouded as she continued, “Nevertheless, I have made promises to your brother, and you have your own family to look after. We are destined to be friends. Good friends, I hope.”
Her words sliced him. She was right. But hearing her lay out the futility of them pursuing their attraction hurt. What could he do but nod his agreement?
“Come on. Let’s get your cut cleaned up. Perhaps they’ve caught the culprits. And we can get some answers.” He couldn’t help but to bring her bare hand to his lips. The chance to brush her soft skin with his lips was too tempting to let pass. Her sharp intake of breath told him more than he wanted to know about how she really felt. He kept her left hand clasped in his as they strolled back to the party, back to reality.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Charlotte allowed herselfthe warmth of Daniel’s hand until the moment they emerged from the trees onto the pebbled front drive of the house. She gently pulled her fingers from his. The cut on her arm stung badly. She welcomed the distraction the pain gave her from her equally raw feelings. Finding out Daniel had an illegitimate daughter and the little girl and his former mistress lived with him on the estate was a shock, to say the least. It seemed she didn’t know him as well as she thought.
One week was hardly enough time to know everything about a person, but still. His whole situation was scandalous. And unorthodox. And so like Daniel. He’d never let the fear of gossip or censure stop him from doing the right thing. Bringing Phoebe and Josie to live with him was an act of kindness many gentlemen would not have even considered.
They entered the house and were immediately swept into the drawing room by Mrs. Brewster. She sent a maid for a bowl of hot water and clean linen. Charlotte collapsed into an upholstered chair by the fireplace. Daniel strode over to talk with her father. Charlotte glanced around the room at the frazzled guests. People were standing in knots of three and four, exchanging accounts of what happened. Then she spotted Miss Thornton across the room. She sat serenely on a settee, smiling as she chatted with Miss Fairchild and Miss Young. She looked supremely satisfied, and unlike everyone else, totally at ease.
That harridan! She was the one behind all the attempts to ruin the party. A red-hot surge of anger shot through Charlotte. She discarded her initial instinct to just push down the feeling. Instead, she rose to her feet. Charlotte made her way across the room, ignoring guests who endeavored to catch her attention and stopped right in front of Miss Thornton.
“I know you are the one behind all of this today. I’ve suspected it was you all week. You are a vile, spiteful human being.”
Miss Thornton rose to her feet. Her cheeks flushed bright red. “How dare you accuse me of such a thing! You are out of your mind.”
But instead of feeling intimidated, Charlotte stared down her nose at Miss Thornton, for once glad of her height. “I would like for you to leave my party immediately. You are no longer welcome here.” She crossed her arms across her chest.
“Charlotte! I cannot believe you would be so rude to a guest,” her mother’s voice bellowed from behind her.
“You can’t prove anything. I won’t be maligned like this by anyone,” Miss Thornton screeched. “Do you hear me you…you oaf!” She stomped her foot like a small child, and her hands clenched into fists at her side.
“Actually, we can prove it was you.” Lucius and Miles came into the room, and between them was William, one of the Markham’s footmen. They held his arms and dragged him forward. “Tell everyone what you told us,” Lucius said.
“She paid me to do it.” He pointed directly at Miss Thornton. A collective gasp filled the room. “This last task, with them arrows, she paid me five quid. I wasn’t lookin’ to hurt anyone. Just give all of you a good scare.”
Miss Thornton stood frozen. Her eyes darted left then right. Lord Thornton strode to his daughter’s side. “This is preposterous! Why should we believe the word of some servant?”
Charlotte’s father stepped forward. “Lord Thornton, come with me to my study, where we can discuss this in private.” Her father surveyed the room, tilting his head at all the gaping faces pointedly. “Bring the lad too. I want to hear what he has to say,” he ordered.
Regaining her composure, Miss Thornton raised her nose into the air. “I’ve never been so insulted. This is the worst party I have ever been too. Come, Father, we are leaving at once.” She strode from the room, her father at her heels. Lucius and Miles left behind them to take the footman to her father’s study.
Charlotte’s mother fanned herself frantically. “I cannot believe this. What a day!”
Charlotte went over to her. “Mother, perhaps you should lie down for a bit. You look overset.” Her mother’s face was bright red, and her eyes glassy. Charlotte motioned for a footman. “Gerald, please escort Mother to her room.”
She turned to find Mr. Brewster at her elbow. “What can I do to help, miss?”
“Mr. Brewster, perhaps some wine and refreshments to settle everyone’s nerves.”
“Yes, miss. Right away, miss.” Brewster hurried away.
