Charlotte froze in horror.
I was answering no to being called Amelia. I was about to tell him all, and for no reason other than not wanting him to think I am my sister while we...
“No!” Charlotte cried, suddenly keen to prevent Seth from thinking that she wished to stop.
But how could they continue?
“I mean, it is hardly appropriate if I do not even know your heart fully. Do you wish to marry me or not?”
Seth hesitated. It lasted only a heartbeat, but Charlotte spotted it. She rose regretfully.
Must I end this for Amelia’s sake? You have not given me any guidance to say that you wish to marry this man. And he blows hot and cold for you. I do not know which way to go.
Seth rose too, trying to keep her in his arms, but Charlotte stepped away determinedly.
“I do,” Seth pressed insistently.
“Then tell me the reason for your behavior. Convince me!” she implored.
“How can I convince you when you do not know me? Not really. A few meetings at society events. Dances and stilted conversations in the company of the rest of the damned ton.”
“Then give me the chance to get to know the real you,” she pleaded.
A knocking came at the door just then, and Seth roared in frustration.
“God’s teeth, am I to be given no privacy!”
A key swiveled in the lock from the other side, and the door opened a crack. Tewkesbury poked his head around it, looking down at the floor.
“Pardon the intrusion, old man, but it is of utmost urgency. Lady Nightingale was searching for you, and I... ah, I see she found you, and all is well.”
“All is not well with knocking at my door all night,” Seth snapped.
“Yes, well, as to that… Lady Nightingale did rather anger a patron… in aphysical manner, and Mr. Catesby is quite upset. I thought it only fair to warn you that he is looking for her. Hebelieves her to be a serving girl who has stepped well beyond the pale.”
“You slapped someone?” Seth quirked a brow.
“A drunken fellow who had the audacity to make suggestive remarks,” Charlotte bit back.
“The Duke of Hull,” Tewkesbury affirmed.
“That jackanape!” Seth snarled, “I’ll teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget!”
He started for the door, but Tewkesbury blocked it, bracing his arm against the door frame.
“Can’t allow it, old man. Hull is one of the wealthiest dukes in the kingdom, not to mention considerably influential. You would condemn both of your reputations. I suggest you take the Ladies’ Stair and exit the building by the back door.”
Charlotte took Seth’s hand, squeezing it.
“Please. Let us leave this frightful place at once.”
He glanced at her, then nodded reluctantly.
“You wish me to take you home?” he asked.
“And what insights would that give me?” she replied. “You said that I do not know the real man. The man that stands behind the title and the name. Soshowme. Take me somewhere dear to you. Whether that be a tavern or a sitting room.”
Seth regarded her for a long moment, and then grinned. Tewkesbury stepped aside, and Seth strode from the room, hauling Charlotte along with him by the elbow. She shuffled to catch up and caught a look of chagrin on Tewkesbury’s face. But perhaps it was simply the poor light.
