The colourful flowers and sweet aromas did little to set her at ease as she tried to devise a plan as to when and where she would break the news. Trailing her fingers over the deep red roses, she snagged her finger on a thorn, pulling back quickly with a sharp intake of breath.
It’s not a sign.
She felt her stomach churn as she lifted her finger to her mouth, sucking on the bright drop of crimson blood.
“Charlotte.” The marquess took her by surprise as he came up from behind, startling her as he held out a pure white rose.
“My Lord,” she gasped and clutched her chest, trying to ease the beating of her heart.
“I was hoping to find you alone this morning; you disappeared so quickly after breakfast that I hardly had a chance to catch you.” He smiled warmly at her as she accepted the rose.
Looking down at the beautiful flower, she felt her heart sinking into the pit of her stomach. White represented purity and all that was good. Character traits that she couldn’t claim at present without telling the truth. “Forgive me, My Lord, I wanted a moment alone before I spoke,” she said with a heavy sigh.
“I can understand that. Big things are happening for all of us, none of which should be taken lightly. Shall we walk to the gazebo?” He gestured for her to walk at his side.
He will either ask me to marry him or confess his love.
Her heart thrummed in her chest with anxiety, neither were prospects that she relished at present.
“My mother has grown quite fond of you over the past week. I see that even my sister made an attempt to speak to you this morning,” he chattered away politely, making idle conversation until they reached the gazebo.
“I’m not sure what changed, but she didn’t seem too eager to go along with Lady Henrietta at the ball.” She decided to delay the inevitable conversation for as long as she could, buying herself time to work up her courage as they walked.
“I can’t say that I’m saddened by that news. Lady Henrietta is an awful gossip with an even meaner streak. I’m not sure why Lady Elizabeth became her friend in the first place,” he said bitterly as if he despised their friendship.
I have to tell him now!The voice in the back of her mind screamed as they drew nearer to the large white gazebo with its latticed woodwork. Climbing the stairs, they entered the partially shaded confines with vines that grew along the sides.
The moment was tense as Jameson held her gaze.
“My Lord there is something that I …” her words were cut short when he took a step towards her and ran the back of his fingers over her cheek.
“Please, call me Jameson and not My Lord, at least when we are alone. I think we are on more than a first-name basis after the evening we shared, wouldn’t you agree?” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and Charlotte felt her heart breaking with guilt.
Their courtship had already progressed so far in a short space of time, what could have been if circumstances had been in her favour? She took a deep breath and said a silent prayer in the hopes that he would understand her plight and that she hadn’t known at the start.
“Very well, Jameson,” she said with a smile, trying his name out as it rolled off her tongue like honey.
“Will you allow me to call you Charlotte in private?” His fingers lingered on her cheek for a moment before dropping to her neck and caressing the line of her collarbone.
A small shiver of pleasure ran over her skin. “I would be honoured to have you use my name.” She let out a breath, allowing herself a moment of pleasure before the cannon went off.
“Oh Charlotte …” Jameson breathed and pulled her in before she could protest, pressing his lips against hers with a fiery passion that made them both moan. Backing her up slowly, he pressed her against one of the pillars of the gazebo, his hands moving down her sides and gripping her waist as his tongue searched the depths of her mouth.
A loud gasp escaped her throat as Jameson moved from her lips, kissing a path down her jawline and over her neck, his tongue flicking over her skin at regular intervals.
“Oh God, Charlotte, I want to make you mine …” Jameson growled hungrily and pulled her body into his with growing intensity.
He doesn’t know the truth …
Her conscience reminded her of why she was out here in the first place. “Jameson, we have to stop.” Her voice was barely above a whisper as she placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to coax him up.
Taking a step back, Jameson looked at her with a wild passion darkening his eyes. His hair was tussled and messy from their exploits. “You’re right, I apologize. Someone could see us out here.” He looked around to ensure they were still alone before fixing his coat.
Her lips stung with were the heat of his passion, her chest rising and falling beneath her dress.
“There was something I wanted to say now that we are alone. Charlotte, for the past few days, I strongly believe that I have …” His words were cut short as Charlotte took a deep breath and shut her eyes, allowing the words to bubble from the pit of her stomach and into being.
“Jameson, I am so sorry, I have to tell you the truth before you go on. I know who embezzled the money from you and your family all those years ago.” Her chest burned from the sudden rush of air that she used to force the words out.
