“Why, you impudent knave!” Seth roared, “She is my betrothed.”
“Yes, third in a row, isn’t it?” Reginald sneered, “That word seems to have no meaning when it comes to you.”
“Seth, please!” Charlotte stepped between them, looked up at Seth, and put a placating hand to his chest.
His eyes were ablaze, but they softened as they fell on Charlotte.
“I came over to tell you we may leave as soon as you like. I have my carriage waiting outside, and notes have been sent ahead for replacement horses to be readied for us along the route. But this was brought to my attention as I left the house.”
He held up the slim newspaper, crumpling it in his fist. Charlotte took it, smoothed it out, and looked at the first page.
“It claims that I have been having an adulterous affair with a mysterious woman named Charlotte. That I am a liar, cheat, and not worthy of my title. It quotes that reptile Tewkesbury! That bastard hopes to erase me from my own bloodline. I will not stand for this.”
“Surely, he cannot act based on rumor?” Charlotte coaxed, “It is not as if this woman will come forward and corroborate his account.”
“No, but a member of her family might,” Reginald arched a brow.
Charlotte whirled.
“What do you mean?” Seth hissed, “Amelia, what is he...”
“He knows, Seth. He knows who I am,” she told him.
Seth’s face paled as he looked from Charlotte to Reginald.
“And I only have the smallest of requests to maintain my silence,” Reginald added, lifting his hands in a harmless gesture. “I had intended to ask Cousin Charlotte here to obtain the money from her sister to let me buy the premises I need. But I also need a scandal-free means of extricating myself from my unwanted betrothal. And you,rakeandadultererthat you are, may be able to help me with that.”
Seth growled and lunged for Reginald, but Charlotte caught his arm, spinning him to face her.
Reginald smoothly stepped a safe distance back. “It is not much, I ask. And from what I hear, it is well within your usual sphere. Give me grounds to claim that my betrothed has broken her vows, and you and my cousin may travel to the north to speak to Amelia and obtain the money I need.”
“You blackguard! You’ll get nothing from either of us!” Seth snarled.
Reginald had backed away to the door now.
“Then perhaps I should tell this fellow Tewkesbury who it is you were thrown out of Almacks’ for kissing? Think on it.”
Before Seth could respond, he maneuvered himself out of the room and hurriedly shut the door behind him. Seth snatched the newspaper and hurled it at the closed door.
“He is not a bad man,” Charlotte pressed softly. “Let me talk to him. He is just in love and desperate. I think if I can get his beloved to speak to him, she will make him see sense.”
Seth shook his head, pacing the room.
“He is an irritant, but Tewkesbury is the real problem. He has called me out publicly. If I do not respond, it will be judged that everything he has said is true. I must challenge him.”
“Challenge him? Whatever do you mean?” Charlotte asked, furrowing her brows.
“To a duel,” Seth said bleakly, “if I win, then my case is proved, and his words are shown to be lies.”
“But… but… if he wins, you could be dead!”
CHAPTER 25
Charlotte wept alone as her carriage left London behind. She watched the buildings and busy streets transform into fields and villages that tumbled past in the blink of an eye. A fine drizzle fell from a leaden sky, perfectly mirroring her emotions.
I can expect nothing less. Seth has made it clear that his actions thus far have been driven by the need to protect his birthright. Naturally, he must respond to an insult that could cause him to lose everything. Why am I so upset that he is unwilling to risk his dukedom for me?
She imagined Amelia sitting across from her, drawing on all of her experience of the ton and understanding of London’s elite society.
