The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(16)

Chapter Six


Charlotte was more than grateful to be able to leave the parlor.

It was fortunate that Lady Bellamny had been here for her—the Fates must have had a hand in bringing that about. Still, the idea that she would be forced to marry a man who used prostitutes, the type of man she had vowed never to wed, made her stomach ache. If only she had the funds to return to Town, she would leave and refuse to see him again. She could tell anyone who asked that they’d had an argument and she had changed her mind about the marriage. Now she must remain in the same house with him for at least a day or so.

They reached a door near the top of the stairs. “I’ll send my eldest daughter up to assist you, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

After the door closed behind Charlotte, she removed her bonnet and the pins from her hair, running her fingers through her long tresses to untangle the snarls. What she would not give for a full bath. Since she did not have the wherewithal to go home, hopefully she could have one once she was with Lord Kenilworth’s mother.

Oh, God. Her heart contracted painfully as if it had been squeezed by an invisible hand. She could not accept that her situation was impossible. That she would be forced to marry him.

The worst part of it all was that before she knew who he was, she had begun to like him. After his kiss, she had thought she might have found the right gentleman for her. Yet she could not, would not marry him.

Surely Grace would be able to help her get out of it. Although she had not been able to assist Dotty. Still, Dotty’s marriage had turned out much better than anyone could have expected. Merton doted on Dotty and she on him.

Charlotte could not even think of a way she could be happy with a man who thought of a female’s body as a business arrangement. He must know the damage he was doing to the women he used.

She had begun pacing the chamber, and halted. Or perhaps he did not know how harmful his behavior was. Dotty had said many men did not think of the consequences of their actions. Even Grace had agreed that men could be blind when it came to fulfilling their needs.

Charlotte was not willing to wed Kenilworth, still, she would do her best to convince him that he should help women in trouble, and not use them as he was used to doing.

A knock came on the door, and a woman who looked to be about Charlotte’s age entered the room. “I’m Sally. My ma sent me, my lady.”

“Thank you. I was attempting to comb my hair.”

“If you’d like me to help you undress so you can wash, I’ll do your hair too.”

“Yes, please.” Charlotte turned her back to the girl. “I would greatly appreciate your help.”

A half hour later, she felt much cleaner and more able to meet the challenge she had set for herself. She would take her stand against the marriage and not be swayed.

*

“I shall require paper and pen,” Con said when the innkeeper’s wife returned. “I also wish to send a messenger to Hillstone Manor.”

“Yes, my lord.” The woman bobbed a curtsey.

Once he had been shown to a small room with a desk, he settled down on a hard wooden chair and began to write.



My dear Worthington,

You will know by now that your sister is safe. I shall escort her to my mother’s house, Hillstone Manor, in Kingsbrook. Lady Bellamny had the good sense and excellent timing to be visiting the area—apparently there is a rock formation her husband wished to view—and will travel to my mother’s with us.

I would like to assure you that all is well.

However, your sister and I were seen by Certain Persons as we drove into the yard. Naturally, I put it about that we are betrothed and are visiting my mother.

I shall be prepared to discuss the settlement agreements when you arrive.

Yr. Servant,

C. Kenilworth





Next he wrote a missive to his mother warning her she was about to have guests, but not giving her any idea as to what sort of visitors to expect. That was probably not well done of him, but he must explain how his betrothal came about and the reason his betrothed—if one could call a lady who refused to wed one a betrothed—was not happy about it. And that must be accomplished in person. Although he never thought to be happy about Lady Bellamny’s presence, he’d most likely need her help.

He also penned a note to his valet, Cunningham, directing the man to travel immediately to Hillstone Manor with whatever clothing and other items Con would need for at least a week. Upon reflection, he instructed his valet to contact Lady Charlotte’s maid and tell her she was to accompany Cunningham to Hillstone Manor.

Con placed the pen down, replaced the cork in the standish, and sanded the letters before dripping wax on the folded papers and pressing his signet ring into the red blobs.

He leaned back in the hard wooden chair. If only Braxton—of all the care-for-nobody slibberslabbers—had not seen Con and Charlotte come into the inn yard after having traveled most of the night. If Con were a superstitious man, he’d think that his pretending to be Braxton the previous evening had conjured up the popinjay.

Con rubbed his chin. There was nothing for it now. The die was cast and all of that. At least he would make his mother and sisters happy.

He strode to the front of the inn and found the landlord. “I must have these missives sent out by messenger immediately. Please have the man wait for a reply. I shall also require a chamber and some wash water.”