The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(39)



She thought about her agreement with Kenilworth and what Dotty had said. He’d promised to tell Charlotte the truth about his conversation with his mistress, but even if she was right, would he really change his mind and his behavior?

Matt, Phillip, and Walter piled into the room followed by Duke, who went immediately to Daisy. Did he know that he was going to be a father? She turned her head toward the dogs and smiled.

The noise level rose with plans, sometimes shouted to be heard over the clatter.

Grace strolled in, next followed by their butler and four footmen carrying trays. She elegantly sank onto a sofa. “As soon as you have quieted and taken your seats, you may have your tea.”

Phillip and Walter sat quickly, and Phillip shouted over the rest of them, “Hurry up. I’m hungry.”

Seconds later, Charlotte was helping Grace hand out cups of tea and plates filled with jam tarts, biscuits, and small slices of sandwiches.

Finally, Charlotte fixed her own cup and plate, carrying them to the window seat. Once the children’s hunger had been satisfied, the wedding talk began again. Naturally, Grace had to be told of the coming event. Her eyes sparkled with laughter as Matt put a finger between his neck and cravat as if to loosen it.

Charlotte imagined herself as the mother of a brood of children with a husband who was as caring as her brother-in-law, yet as much as she tried to shove away the image of laughing green eyes, the picture would not leave.

I am not going to wed Kenilworth.

Even if he could admit he was wrong, he would probably never do anything to help women trapped in prostitution. And what did she know of him after all? Yes, he was handsome, and titled, and wealthy, but what did all that matter if he refused to help the poor and needy of their world?

“Charlotte, you looked to be deep in thought. Do you mind if I join you?” Matt stood before her, a dark brow cocked.

“Not at all.” She made to move over, giving him room to sit beside her, but he picked up a nearby chair and set it down.

“You seem to be handling everything that has happened exceedingly well,” he commented, taking a seat.

She shrugged lightly. There was no point in going into hysterics over what could not be changed.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak with you about the abduction and . . .”

“Betrothal?” She dearly hoped he was not going to try to talk her around. If she changed her mind it would be because of Lord Kenilworth’s actions, not the words of another, even a much loved brother.

“Indeed.” His brows lowered for a moment. “I understand you do not have a good opinion of Kenilworth.”

“You are correct. I do not.” The image of him at the theater with not one but two Cyprians emerged. “I am not impressed with what I do know about him.”

“Yes, well, of late, his personal life has not been pristine.” Glancing at her, Matt pulled a face. “Based upon what you have seen, I cannot blame you.”

She fought to keep from pressing her lips together. “But?”

A small smile appeared on his face. “I have known him for a long time, and can vouch for his general temperament. He does not fly into rages or abuse others—”

“With the exception of certain women.”

Matt rubbed his hand over his jaw. “That is, unfortunately, a failing that society in general encourages.”

It was time to bring this discussion to an end. “It is, nevertheless, a failing I abhor. You would not wish me to wed a man I cannot like or respect, would you?”

“No.” His brows drew together and he shifted on the chair. “Allow me to just say that at first Grace did not think I could be trusted with the children, and none of us thought Merton could or would change.” Charlotte nodded, accepting the truth of both statements. “I flatter myself that Grace is now happier than she has been in a very long time.”

Charlotte could not argue with his statement. She had not seen her sister as contented and joyful since before their parents died. “Go on.”

“Kenilworth might not be as bad as you think. At least politically he is much more liberal than Merton is even now.” Matt rose, replacing the chair against the wall. “When you come to know him, if you still are of the opinion you cannot marry the man, I will stand by you.”

“Thank you.” That was much more than she had expected. Then again, she should not have been surprised. Unlike many fathers or guardians, he wanted all of them to marry for love. “I shall try to be fair-minded.”

“That, my dear sister, is all I ask.”

Three hours later, well before the family would gather in the drawing room before dinner, Charlotte was once again sitting at the piano.

She finished the movement and looked up to find Dotty sitting quietly not far from her. “I did not wish to interrupt you. From your choice in music, I take it you are still quite aggravated.”

Only Dotty would know that Charlotte’s favorite piece to play when she was upset was Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 12, even if her friend never could remember the name of it. “Lord Kenilworth came by after you left.”

“Aha. Did he upset you?”

Charlotte couldn’t stop from frowning. “We argued again, and this time I told him to ask his mistress if she liked being a courtesan.”

“Oh my!” Covering her lips with her hands, Dotty started to laugh. “I do so wish I could have been listening at the keyhole. What did he say?”

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