“No Almack’s,” agreed Charlotte. “Are the lemonade and cakes they serve there really so wretched? And is Lady Jersey really so loquacious?”
“Silence well deserves her sobriquet,” he said dryly. The Countess of Jersey, one of the patronesses of the exclusive assembly rooms and a leader of theton, was called ‘Silence’ behind her back because she was notorious for her endless talking. “Don’t tell me you never disguised yourself as a servant and sneaked in for a look. Your drawings have it down to perfection.”
“I’ve contrived to see it empty,” she replied. “But however unlikely, I didn’t wish to take the chance of being recognized.”
The earl leaned back against the squabs. “I daresay you’ll soon have a chance of seeing it in all its hideous splendor. Lady Peake is a great favorite of Lady Jersey, and I’m sure she’ll be intent on introducing you to all the eligible gentlemen of theton.It is, after all, the premier marriage mart in London for those of pedigree and title.”
“Marriage?”Her face screwed into an expression of horror. “God perish the thought!”
“I hadn’t realized you were so opposed to the idea of a leg shackle,” he said dryly.
“Oh, for pity’s sake, Wrexford. What aristocratic gentleman in his right mind would want me as a wife?”
“There are some fellows with an open mind about the intellect and abilities of a lady.” Watching her eyes, he was struck once again by what a luminous intelligence rippled beneath the sea-blue hue. “Granted, they’re not as thick as fleas on a stray mongrel, but they do exist.”
Charlotte looked away. “Now you’re truly making my skin crawl. Even if what you say is true, you’re forgetting my own feelings about life within a gilded cage.”
Wrexford glanced out the carriage window. The recent revelations about her past life were still very fresh in his mind, but they had yet to delve into them in any detail, or what the future might hold for her. With her emotions already in a tangle, this didn’t seem the right moment to begin.
“We’re getting close to your neighborhood,” he observed. “I assume you’ll want to slip out when we turn down one of the side streets.”
She gave a curt nod.
The wheels clattered over the cobblestones, the rough-edged sounds giving voice to the war of emotions playing across her face.
As the carriage drew to a halt, Charlotte slid across the seat and took hold of the door latch.
Her hand, so sure and steady when holding her satirical pen, betrayed a tiny tremor.
“Have you plans for the evening?” she asked abruptly.
“I had thought to begin making inquiries into Westmorly and his activities,” answered the earl.
“Might you consider delaying that until tomorrow? I wouldlike to reveal my secret to the boys and our friends tonight. Now that I’ve made up my mind, there seems little reason to wait.”
“Of course.”
“The usual hour, and the usual means of entrance,” she murmured. “Now more than ever, I have a reputation to protect.” Raven and Hawk had constructed a hidden entrance into her small back garden from the back alleyway, which allowed clandestine comings and goings to proceed under the cloak of darkness.
“I’ll alert Sheffield to be there,” said Wrexford.
“And I shall send the boys this morning with a note for Henning.” Charlotte clicked the door open. And yet, her fingers kept hold of the latch. “I’m terrified, Wrexford.”
“Understandably so,” replied the earl.
She gave a wry grimace. “Oh, fie. You’re supposed to snarl one of your usual sarcastic comments, so I can feel angry rather than cowardly.”
“You’re the bravest person I know.” Wrexford paused. “So, bloody hell, stop your self-indulgent sniveling . . .” He flicked out his foot and booted the door open. “And go do what’s needed to be done.”
Charlotte drew in a harsh breath.
“I always hated Hamlet,” he added. “All that blathering and whinging.”
The door slammed in his face, but not before her laugh slipped through the crack.
CHAPTER 14
“You need to eat, m’lady,” chided Raven through a mouthful of mashed turnips. “It’s important to keep up your strength.”
