“Listen to me, Charlotte. I cannot deny that what Tewkesbury is saying might be true. But it might not. I cannot be certain. But if it did happen, then it was not through malice on my part. Merely carelessness.”
She scoffed cynically. “Thatis your defense.”
He sighed, buying patience. “It is not intended to be such. God’s teeth, woman, I am exposed before you. Naked and defenseless. I swear to you that the man we are speaking of is dead. You, yourself, impaled him.”
His voice rose with passion, and he seized her hand, uncaring who might be looking or overhearing. From the corner of his eye, he was aware of Reginald hovering in the background. Charlotte had never seemed so far away from him, even though he held her hand to his chest. He prayed that she would feel his pounding heart, feel his sincerity.
“You might just be desperate to protect your title. You need me after all,” she declared.
“My title can burn for all of me! I would give it up if you were the reward,” he bit back.
Charlotte’s lips parted in a small gasp. She blinked away before meeting his gaze again with brilliant eyes. The Assembly Room faded from Seth’s awareness. He could see only Charlotte’s eyes. She seemed to be searching his, yearning for the truth. He sensed that all was not lost, if only he could persuade her.
Damn all those years of inconstancy when I did not care about my reputation but only the sating of my desires. How can I expect to be believed when I have made a life as a rake and a libertine?
“I wish I could believe you. I really, really want to,” Charlotte whispered.
“You can. I swear it,” Seth said earnestly.
They were interrupted by a discreetly cleared throat. Seth glared at the intruder, Reginald Willoughby.
“I am terribly sorry to interrupt. I did not eavesdrop, but could not help but overhear as I passed by a certain tension with regards to one Earl of Tewkesbury.”
“You did,” Seth bit, “a rogue and a knave who spreads lies about me to poison my relationship with your cousin.”
Charlotte stepped away from Seth as though to maintain some distance.
“This is really not your business, cousin,” she stated flatly.
Seth detected a steely tone in Charlotte’s voice, felt the tension between the two.
“It is indeed not, and I would not interfere under ordinary circumstances. These are far from that, as you know,” Reginald responded, frowning intensely but also with a hard tone to his manner.
“Hartham. Push off,” Seth said brusquely, using Reginald’s title instead of his name.
Reginald flushed with anger.
“I heard the Earl of Tewkesbury’s name mentioned, and that of a sister. I have an acquaintance at Debrett’s. I would be happy to ask them for information on the Tewkesbury family tree so that you may reassure my cousin that the allegations against you are untrue.”
Seth was taken aback and exchanged looks with Charlotte. She seemed equally as surprised by the offer.
“Reginald… that is most generous,” she murmured.
“My pleasure, Char—” Reginald coughed, “your pardon, Amelia. Of course, it is my pleasure for my cousin. You are family after all. I will attend to it. Have a pleasant evening.”
CHAPTER 23
Seth stared at Charlotte as Reginald walked away. Suddenly, he was very conscious of every word. From how Charlotte’s eyes darted, so was she. He raised an eyebrow in question, and she shook her head.
She does not know how he might know her identity. She has not told him, and I don’t think she would. But he suspects, won’t outright say it, and does not seem entirely sympathetic. He seeks something.
The gathered guests were beginning to choose partners for the first dance. Seth forced a smile and offered his arm.
“Lady Amelia, may I have the honor of the first dance?” he asked courteously.
When she took his arm, he leaned close, whispering for her ears only. “Whoever Tewkesbury’s sister turns out to be, I swear toyou that I have done nothing to harm her deliberately. Besides, those days are behind me.”
Charlotte looked up at him with deadly serious eyes.
