The Marquis and I by Ella Quinn (14)

Chapter Thirteen

The morning after Burt had left the Green Man, he found Lord Braxton’s house in Mayfair and discovered the man’d left Town with a blond woman.

Miss Betsy wasn’t going to be happy her chicken had flown the coop. After returning to his rooms, he wrote to her, and for the past two days he’d been at a tavern waiting to hear from her.

“Be there a Mr. Smith here?” a young boy dressed in little more than rags asked.

The lad reminded him of himself when he was a kid. “I’m Smith.”

“Got this fer ye.” The boy held up a letter and Burt flipped him a penny.

He swallowed the last of his ale, then went to his room to open the note.

In his opinion, it were a waste of time. Likely the mort weren’t still a virgin and the gent wouldn’t want her no more. Not that anyone asked him. He shrugged. It was all the same to him as long as Miss Betsy was payin’ for it.

Burt opened his watch. Still enough time ta try ta catch the nob’s trail before dark. If he was lucky, that fancy coach’d be easy enough to find.

He packed up his sack and paid his shot at the tavern. It didn’t take him nearly as long as he’d thought to get to the Great North Road.

Burt pulled up at the first tollbooth, and the toll keeper came out. “Have ya seen a flash cove with a fancy black carriage and a yaller-headed mort come by a day or so ago?”

“See a lot of fancy coaches this close to Lunden.” Burt tossed a coin up and the lad caught it. “Two days ago, ye said? Reckon I did. Bought a ticket all the way to the next county. The coachman said they was goin’ to somewhere called Biggleswade. Ain’t never heard of it meself. Said it was in Bedford.”

Burt gave the man another coin. The information would save him a lot of time. All he had to do was find Biggleswade somewhere in Bedford.

He traveled until dark, then found a room at a posting inn. The next day, shortly after noon, he arrived in the market town of Biggleswade. The first tavern he came to was the Dog in a Doublet, on the High Street.

No ostler ran out to help him with the horses, but there was an iron ring on the side of the building. After tying his leader to an iron ring, he entered the inn and headed for the bar. “I’m lookin’ for a room and board for a day or two.”

“Yer in luck,” the innkeeper said. “I got one chamber left. Tomorrow’s market day and the whole town’ll be full up.”

“Looks like I got here in good time.”

The man signaled to a younger man to take his place. “I’ll show ye up.”

“I got a coach and pair too,” Burt said.

“My son’ll take care of them. That’ll be extra for the carriage and horses.”

He nodded, not minding the expense. Miss Betsy was good about paying him back.

The room was small but clean. There were two windows; one overlooked the street, which suited him just fine. “Thank ye.”

“Dinner’s at five. Anything else I can do fer ye?”

“I was told to look for a gentleman with a shiny black coach. Have ye seen him?”

“We got a lot of them coaches going through here. His lordship at the big house is having one of his house parties. Ye might find yer man tomorrow. He likes to bring his guests to the market.” The innkeeper pulled a disapproving face. “By the way some of them London women acted, ye’d think they’d never seen a market town.”

That didn’t make a lot of sense to Burt. Even he knew most ladies lived in the country a lot of the year. But the landlord had said women, not ladies. Before he could think of a way to ask about it, the man went on, “Last time his lordship was here, my wife and most of the other women in town went to the rector about the gentlemen who were visiting. His lordship’s got to bring his own maids with him now when he has one of his parties. None of us will let our daughters go.”

Burt gave up trying to understand Quality. It didn’t make sense that Lady Charlotte would be allowed to go to such a thing.

“They even stop at the White Hart and have ale!” the innkeeper said, clearly scandalized.

Well, if that’s where they went, that’s where he’d be. What Miss Betsy wanted she got.

* * *

Not long after Lord Kenilworth had left, Charlotte made her way to the morning room for tea. The house had been unusually quiet, which meant Matt had most likely taken the children to the Park and they had not yet returned.

Just then, the sound of the front door bursting open, the tromping of feet, and Daisy’s bark, sounded down the corridor.

A moment later, Mary and Theo appeared in the doorway.

“Daisy and Duke are getting married,” Mary called to Charlotte.

She shook her head, trying to clear it. “I beg your pardon?”

“We’re going to have the wedding tomorrow,” Theo confirmed as she and Mary held hands and danced around the room.

“We’re going to make Daisy the most beautiful bonnet ever.” Alice grinned while Eleanor and Madeline nodded excitedly.

“I have a feeling I’ve missed something,” Charlotte said more to herself than anyone else.

Augusta came up beside her and whispered, “Daisy has gained weight in her stomach. Theo and Mary noticed it when we were at the Park.”

The mystery cleared. “Puppies.”

“That’s what Matt thinks.” The corner of Augusta’s lips curled up. “Hence the wedding. He did explain to the children that we would not be going to church for the ceremony.”

“Thank the Lord for that.” With five weddings in half as many months, their family had given Mr. Peterson, the young clergyman at St. George’s, a good deal of business this Season, and the ton a great deal of entertainment.

It occurred to Charlotte that the coming out party Grace had started planning for her, Louisa, and Dotty had never taken place. The weddings kept interfering.

Daisy ambled into the parlor, her tail wagging. She really was increasing. It seemed as if everyone Charlotte knew was expecting, except Dotty, and that was only a matter of time.

If only Harrington had proposed before leaving town, Charlotte might be looking forward to a Happy Event sometime in the not-so-distant future as well. If she had accepted him, that is, and she was not sure she would have. There just seemed to be a quality of feeling or something missing whenever they were together. She had experienced more of a reaction to Kenilworth, before she knew who he was, of course, than she ever had to Harrington. Not to mention Harrington took her for granted, and as Louisa had said, that would not do.

Charlotte gave herself a shake. She was being a goose. If she had been betrothed to Harrington when she was abducted, then she would be in the position of being seen with Kenilworth while engaged to another man, which would have made all of this vastly worse than it already was. Maybe she should just stop thinking about any of it.

Then again, that was hard to do when it—and he—seemed to be controlling her life at the moment, and Charlotte did not like the situation one little bit. In her wildest dreams she never thought she would be betrothed to a gentleman she did not wish to marry.

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?”

“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.