Reginald smirked again at that, covering his mouth with his hand. Aunt Phyllis noticed and directed part of her glare at her son.
“Whatever is the matter, Reginald? This is no joking matter!”
“Indeed, Mama. I agree thatAmelia Nightingalewould be deeply concerned at losing her Almack’s voucher.”
The way he enunciated the name made it clear that he knew that he was not looking at Amelia Nightingale when addressing Charlotte.
“Perhaps we should write to her sister Charlotte to ask for her advice?” Reginald suggested.
“There is a sister?” Aunt Phyllis said.
“Yes, my twin sister,” Charlotte affirmed, with no little vexation. “Aunt Judith and Uncle Henry did not take us together to Hamilton House because they thought twins would be too much for one family, remember? I came here. Charlotte went to the Nightingales,” she reminded, keeping the ire from her voice.
What family does not know, let alone acknowledge their blood?
“Ah, yes, I do seem to remember something about that now. I have little correspondence with your late father’s family. I disapproved of my sister marrying your father in the first place.” She shuddered. “The North is such an uncouth place. Not for the likes of us at all.”
“Anyway, there will be no need to write to Charlotte as I will be traveling to see her as soon as possible,” Charlotte announced. There appeared no better time to broach the subject.
“What a coincidence!” Reginald crowed.
“I should say that you are not. Youmustnot!” Aunt Phyllis chided, rising in aghast. “You must apologize to the patronesses of Almacks’ and publicly distance yourself from the Duke of Bellmonte. He is a bad influence. I have had word from the Dowager Countess of Tewkesbury of his infamy. Entirely unsuitable!”
“I thought you were happy with my betrothal,” Charlotte murmured.
“I was at the time. Before I knew what kind of man he was! I do now. Besides, Francis and Claire must be matched first. No, quite out of the question.”
Charlotte smiled tightly, containing her anger.
You entirely erased my existence. Split me from my sister. What right do you think you have to dictate where I go and where I do not? Let alone whom I see or marry!
“The preparations are underway, Aunt Phyllis,” Charlotte informed her calmly. “I will be leaving shortly.”
“I forbid it!”
“You can forbid me nothing,” she replied.
“Reginald will not allow you to use our carriages, traps, or horses.”
“I have alternative means of transportation,” she shrugged.
Aunt Phyllis stared at her, mouth opening and closing as she looked for another argument. Charlotte sipped tea and smiled pleasantly, dividing her stare between her Aunt and cousin. Reginald was watching her with shrewd eyes, fingers steepled under his chin.
“Do you… happen to be traveling with the Duke of Bellmonte?” he asked.
Aunt Phyllis gasped.
“Yes,” Charlotte nodded.
“You cannot—youmustnot. The scandal! Oh, the scandal!” Aunt Phyllis moaned.
Charlotte almost scoffed. “It is not a scandal, Aunt. We are engaged to be married. We are not eloping. Merely traveling to York to visit my sister.”
“But you will be traveling alone in the company of a man, who... who...” Aunt Phyllis stammered.
“Is a rake,” Reginald finished for her.
“Precisely! Reconsider, dear Amelia, please!” her aunt implored.
