The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(29)

“No, I didn’t think it would be. There is something you should know. Miss Betsy was behind the abduction.”

“Blast the woman!” Worthington raked his fingers through his hair. “I would have thought she’d have fled to the Continent. One would think she’d have learned her lesson.”

“Apparently not.” What Con had to say next would disturb his friend even more. “She’s back to her old tricks, abducting children and young women.”

“Does Charlotte know?”

“She was there. I should also add that the innkeeper who was helping Miss Betsy, and his family, think she is rescuing runaways and returning them to their families.”

“I must notify my cousin. He was part of bringing her bawdy house down.” Worthington was quiet for a moment, then grimaced. “Please tell me that Charlotte has not expressed an interest in helping save the latest victims.”

For the love of Heaven. That is something of which she was eminently capable. And Con had been worried she would try to make it back to Town on her own. What a fool he was. “Not to me, but she did send a letter to Lady Merton.”

Worthington took a large drink of brandy. “I hope you don’t mind more guests. The minute Dotty Merton discovers Charlotte is not in Town she will insist on posting here.”

“Not at all. In fact, I think my mother will enjoy it a great deal.”

“I would like Charlotte to remain here. She will be safer. Grace and I will have to return. We have the other children to care for.” Suddenly he grinned. “We’ll take Cousin Jane with us. Perhaps seeing Dotty and Merton together will make Charlotte think again about refusing your offer.” Worthington played with the cup in his hands, rotating it slowly. “We have all been concerned about Charlotte’s feelings, but how do you feel about this betrothal? You were not in the market for a wife. In fact, as her brother and guardian, I must insist you cease to continue keeping the type of company you have been.”

Con had known his life would change, yet he hadn’t given it much thought. Not that he expected to continue to keep a mistress or attend the types of entertainments he had frequented. Still, to hear it from his friend brought the transformation he’d have to make crashing down on him. The strange thing was that he was not concerned about it. It was what he had expected to do when he married, in any event. “I am not unhappy about the betrothal.” He might not have wanted to marry yet, but he was not going to allow Charlotte to jilt him. No woman had ever left him and she was not going to be the first. “As a matter of fact, I look forward to it and my reentry into Polite Society.”

“Good. Then I hope to welcome you to the family.”

The question was, would Con be able to court Charlotte with her friend about? Or would she use Lady Merton as a shield?

*

Just as Charlotte had returned from a stroll in the old Elizabethan knot garden, a knock sounded on her bedchamber door and her sister strode in, holding out her arms.

Without a thought, Charlotte ran into them. “Oh, Grace, I have made such a mess of things.”

Stroking Charlotte’s hair, her sister murmured, “How like you to take responsibility for events over which you had no control.”

“No, but I made everything much worse.” She sniffed. “If I had not got down from the carriage and insisted on walking back to the inn, no one would have seen me or Lord Kenilworth. Then there would be no issue of a betrothal. But I could not trust him enough to remain with him. At the time, all I could think of was getting away.” She backed up a step and gazed into her sister’s eyes. “I cannot marry a man like him.”

“Hmm.” Grace’s lips pursed. “He would seem to have a great deal to recommend him. May I ask the reason?”

“He has a mistress.” Most likely more than one at a time, and who knew how many women he had used.

“Ah. I see.” She stared at Charlotte for a few moments, concern writ on her face.

At least her sister understood. In fact, she was the only one who seemed to comprehend how she felt. “I thought”—she left Grace’s embrace and began to pace—“that if I simply waited, any talk would die down. That would work, would it not? I mean, scandals do go away.”

“Some do. It depends entirely upon the circumstances.”

Her sister’s tone was thoughtful, and for that Charlotte was grateful. At least Grace had not dismissed her idea out of hand, as Kenilworth had done.

Grace continued. “I must tell you that Matt heard some talk at his club, but, naturally, we shall not know exactly how far the rumors have spread until we return to Town.”

Charlotte did not want to be the subject of gossip. Dotty had had to go through that and it was not pleasant. “Perhaps if we went straight to the country—”

“No.” Grace’s tone was so firm, Charlotte did not even consider arguing. “Fleeing will only spur the rumors on. The sooner we face what awaits us, the better. We shall leave here tomorrow.”

“I think,” Matt said, strolling through the open door, “Charlotte should remain here where she will be safe. We can send Dotty and Merton down as soon as they arrive in Town.”

Grace seemed to consider his suggestion, then shook her head. “I am afraid that would appear strange. If Charlotte and Lord Kenilworth were truly betrothed, our visit would not appear out of the way. However, for us to return to Mayfair without her would be seen as odd.”