A footman was crossing the lawn to them just then. Reginald glanced back, and the man stopped, before stooping to whisper something in his ear.
“It seems His Grace the Duke of Bellmonte is here,” Reginald uttered slowly.
“Tell him that he is not welcome!” Aunt Phyllis cried out, “tell him, Reginald!”
“I will, mother. Do not worry,” Reginald said, rising.
“No, I will do it. I need to stretch my legs anyway,” Charlotte put in hurriedly.
“I will escort you, then,” Reginald smirked, “so that you do not have to be alone with such anodiousman.”
“Good thinking, Reginald. Go with her!” her aunt instructed.
Reginald walked with Charlotte across the lawn towards the house.
“Charlotte?” her cousin asked.
Charlotte looked at him, and he grinned.
“I thought so. When my friend at Debrett’s reminded me that Amelia Nightingale had an identical twin sister, it all made sense. All the little things that Amelia would not have said or done. So, if I have this right, your father was William Nightingale. He married my mother’s sister, Lucy. When she died, you were taken in by William’s brother, Henry Nightingale, and Amelia by Lucy’s sister, my mother.”
“You have the right of it, Reginald. Well done,” Charlotte mumbled, before shrewdly adding, “Actually, this is the first opportunity I have had to broach the subject with you of Victoria, your beau.”
They reached the door to the house, and Reginald allowed her to step inside before him.
“Oh? Ironic, considering it was the issue of the hat size that put me onto your little game,” Reginald smiled to himself proudly.
“Do not be sinister, Reginald. It does not suit you,” Charlotte said irritably, rounding on him as they stood in a sitting room that looked out over the lawn.
Aunt Phyllis could be seen in the distance, shaking her head as though conflicted.
“Victoria is very fond of you and does not want or need expensive gifts. Only you, yourself. Lord knows why,”
Reginald snorted in disdain. “I think perhaps you are looking for a way to avoid providing me the loan I need to secure independence for Victoria. I know Amelia has a great deal of money. She would not even notice the amount I would require.”
“I wouldn’t know. I am not she,” Charlotte reminded him.
“Please, Charlotte, she must have discussed such matters with you before you took her place. I imagine it is something you have done before?”
Charlotte reluctantly nodded, and he smiled with self-satisfaction.
“I only wish to set Victoria up so she does not feel solely reliant on me or another. She should be independent, run her own small business. That is what she has always wanted.”
“Amelia is unwell. Which is why I am leaving for the north,” Charlotte said, “she told me nothing this time. Thecorrespondence she left for me was damaged in flood waters. So, I have been in the dark ever since I arrived. I have nothing to give you and can promise nothing of Amelia’s.”
Reginald looked skeptical. “I imagine you do not wish your identity to become widely known?”
If that happened, then Seth would be accused of adultery by Tewkesbury, and he would lose everything. It will not happen if I can help it.
“I do not. Please, Reginald,” Charlotte beseeched.
“You plead with me for something you want, but will not grant me what I want in return. Hardly fair, cousin.”
At that moment, a commotion arose elsewhere in the house. There was the sound of raised voices and hurried footsteps. Then the door flew open, and Seth strode into the room. He clutched a newspaper in one hand and shrugged off a servant with the other.
“Did you order that my entry to this house be denied, Hartham?” he demanded.
“I did. You are not welcome since you endangered the reputation of my cousin,” Reginald turned to face the Duke, lifting his chin.
