The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(40)



“That I was wrong, naturally.” Charlotte rolled her eyes, glad her older sister wasn’t there to see her. “He said he would ask his mistress, just to prove to me I am wrong.”

“He must really think he’s right.”

“Exactly.” Charlotte grinned. “I told him he’d be eating toads.”

Her friend went off into another peal of laughter. After a few seconds she took out a handkerchief and blotted her eyes. “I imagine he shall have to. You have not heard from him since he left?”

“No. He said he would come here tomorrow and tell me the result of his conversation.”

Cocking her head to one side, Dotty asked, “Do you know that never once have you doubted he would tell you the truth?”

She was right. He had never struck Charlotte as being untruthful. “He is so blunt I never considered he would not be honest with me.”

“Well, that is one thing in his favor,” her friend prodded gently.

“I suppose it is.” She could begin keeping a list of his good and bad points. If only it was that simple. “My doubt is that anything can change his mind. Even so, he has a long way to go before I could look favorably upon his suit.”

“I cannot blame you for your scruples or caution. Marriage is, after all, forever.” Suddenly, her friend’s face seemed to light up. “I wanted to tell you first. Dom and I are expecting a baby sometime in late January or February.”

“Oh, Dotty!” Charlotte jumped up from the bench, almost knocking it over to embrace her friend. “I am so happy for you!”

“It is early days,” Dotty said, returning Charlotte’s hug. “But I have no reason to think the pregnancy will not be successful. However, we have decided to tell only our particular friends and close family until I am further along.”

“I am surprised Merton is not hovering over you.”

“He would be if I let him.” Grinning, she shook her head. “As it is, I have had to promise not to tire myself, not to ride horseback, not to go anywhere without two footmen in attendance, and to only dance with him.”

“Only dance with him?” Charlotte whooped with laughter. “The poor man. He would probably carry you everywhere if he could.”

“I absolutely forbid you to give him any ideas,” Dotty said sternly. “He is quite capable of doing that himself.”

Still laughing, Charlotte glanced at the mantel clock. “We had better join the others, or he will come looking for you.”

“You’re most likely right.” Dotty rose, a smile tilting her lips. “He is carrying this a bit too far, but I love him for it.”

Linking arms, they left the music room. “I think he was extraordinarily lucky to have found you.”

“And I him.” Dotty squeezed Charlotte’s arm. “I have faith you will find the love of your life as well.”

“I hope you are right.”

When they arrived in the drawing room, Matt was already pouring glasses of champagne and lemonade and handing them around. “There you are. We were about to come find you.” He gave goblets to her and Dotty as Merton slid his arm around his wife. Matt held up his glass. “To our family and the next generation.”

Charlotte held up her goblet as well. She could not be more pleased for her friend, but at the same time, wondered when she’d be able to celebrate her pregnancy. Yet first, she needed a husband. The right husband, which was turning out to be more problematic than she had thought it would be at the beginning of the Season.





Chapter Fourteen


Con arrived at Stanwood House at ten o’clock the next morning. He was not looking forward to the drubbing he was certain to receive from Charlotte, and slowed his steps going up the stairs to the front door.

He was a little surprised when the door was not immediately opened, as it had been previously, and he’d had to ply the knocker. He was also not pleased that a younger footman was in charge of taking his hat, gloves, and cane. Where the devil was the butler?

“I have come to see Lady Charlotte.”

“Follow me, my lord. The family is in the garden for the wedding.”

Wedding?

To the best of his knowledge, Charlotte was the only young lady of marriageable age not already wed. Had Harrington returned with a special license? He could go to the devil it he had. He could not have her. Charlotte was Con’s, and it was about time she knew it. “I can find my way.”

“As you wish, my lord. Go straight down the corridor.”

“Thank you.”

He must put an end to this wedding before it was too late. Rushing down the corridor, he looked to his right, and spied open French windows in a parlor. A large group of people were gathered just beyond the terrace.

Con prayed he was in time to stop her. Halt the wedding. Hell, what sort of man asks permission of his father to marry someone like Charlotte? Not one she needs.

The Fates had given her to him and no one was going to take her away. Even if the time to object had passed, he would make himself known. She was his.

Dashing through the room, he arrived in the garden in time to hear Worthington say, “If there is anyone who objects to this wedding, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Worthington? Con almost skidded to a stop.

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