The sound of the horse’s hooves broke them apart, ending the encounter that had almost broached the borders of a simple kiss. Her chest rose and fell with the heat of their kiss.
“Promise me you’ll be at the Opera with everyone else tomorrow evening?” His eyes were dark with passion as he spoke.
“I promise,” she managed to breathe through her laboured breaths.
Chapter 16
Charlotte rifled through the boxes in the attic in search of her parents’ packages of music. Having awoken to the news that her uncle was out of town, she had taken advantage of being alone and asked the housekeeper for a key to the attic. Searching for the music allowed her mind some time to focus on something other than her growing feelings for the marquess.
The boxes had been covered with sheets that had already begun to gather dust, a fact that broke her heart. Her parents and her father, in particular, had prided themselves in keeping his papers neat and in order. She hoped and prayed that her uncle hadn’t got rid of the boxes she wanted.
Her heart sang as she happened upon the sheets of music, lifting them in the air as if she had discovered the holy grail.
Thank you …
She whispered a silent prayer to whatever angel had helped her stumble upon the pages as she hugged them to her chest. She had thought of showing the marquess the song her father had composed for her mother while they were still courting.
Her cheeks flushed with colour as she thought of the song that Jameson had written for her. Would their daughter one day be showing it to her beau?
My beau?
She froze before pushing herself up. When had she started thinking of Jameson along the lines of her beau? The sudden jolt of her pause caused some of the papers to flutter to the ground.
Sighing heavily, she leaned down and began to pick them up, spotting a yellowing envelope that seemed as if it hadn’t been opened. Allowing her curiosity to get the better of her, she lifted the envelope, turning it over in her hand.
The seal had indeed never been broken. A smile crept across her lips as she recognized her father’s neat writing. The letter had been addressed to her mother.
Was this a love letter to Mama?
She excitedly ripped open the seal and unfolded the letter with shaky hands, excitement coursing through her veins. She couldn’t wait to share her discovery with Jameson later that evening.
My darling Diana,
I hope I work up the nerve to tell you the truth before the ball tomorrow evening. I’m writing this letter in case I am called away on business before the ball tomorrow evening.
It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that my brother, Reginald, has embezzled a large sum of money from Laurence Sinclair. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but the evidence I have uncovered has left little room for doubt.
I know that the situation will have to be rectified; with your support, I will turn Reginald over to the authorities and come clean to the duke. I only hope that this scandal will not ruin our family. Our honour has been compromised, and I cannot bear the thought of losing either you or our darling Charlotte.
Yours lovingly, Edward.
Charlotte allowed the letter to flutter to the ground as she stared at the dusty wall of the attic.
Uncle Reginald embezzled from Jameson’s family.
A wave of nausea washed over her body as Charlotte began to cry, torn between her growing feelings for Jameson Sinclair and her loyalty to a family secret.
***
Charlotte took a deep breath as she composed herself in the entrance hall to the opera house. Her mind was a whirl of distractions as she tried to focus on Isabella’s chattering. How could she face Jameson now, knowing that her uncle had caused his family a great deal of pain?
“I think he is the one.” She sighed heavily and looked expectantly over the heads of the other guests.
“Who?” Charlotte asked distractedly, shaking her head lightly in an attempt to clear her thoughts.
“Where is your head this evening? I’m talking about Michael, of course. Isn’t he just the dreamiest man you ever had the pleasure of meeting?” Isabella got a far-off look in her eyes as her gaze wandered back to the entrance, ever hopeful that her prince would make an appearance.
“I’m glad you have taken such a liking to Lord Ashburton,” Charlotte responded as she tried to take her mind off her troubles.
