Charlotte stepped back and sank down into a chair. Of course! She should have recognized the name immediately, but after the way Victor had kissed her, she wasn’t certain she would have recognized her own name through the cloud of passion he caused.
“They are returning to London and thought to stop here instead of taking rooms at an inn. They were desirous to make the acquaintance of Lady Blackmar,” the butler continued.
Why couldn’t they have come another time?
“Tell them that my wife will be there in a moment.”
“Yes, Lord Blackmar.”
“Oh, and Walters, does my sister know that I am here?”
“She did not ask, nor did I offer the information.”
Victor grinned.
“Let us keep it that way.”
“You are not going to make me meet her alone, are you?” Charlotte nearly panicked after Walters had left them.
“If it were possible, I would not subject you to my sister at all. As she is here, I will do my best not to leave you alone with her.”
“Why?”
“I do not trust her.”
Kingsley stood as she and Victor entered the parlor. The woman, who must be his sister, had been smiling. The smile suddenly grew tight and false as her eyes widened slightly.
“Victor. We were not expecting you to be in residence.”
“Why not? This is the home I share with my wife.”
“Yes, but…” She looked to Charlotte, then back to her brother. “You have not been here in four years.”
Charlotte wished people would stop reminding her how long Victor had left her to herself.
“It is such a pleasure to finally meet you, Charlotte,” Maria gushed as she came forward. “After all, we are sisters, are we not?”
“I suppose,” Charlotte agreed, forcing a smile. “I have requested tea be delivered and it should be here promptly.” She gestured toward the sitting area before the fireplace. “Please sit.”
The husband and wife settled themselves just as a footman entered with a tea service. Charlotte drew on everything she had learned of being a hostess and made certain each person was served, though each time she looked at Victor, his eyes darkened, and she had the feeling that if he could, he would gobble her up. Though why such a thought occurred to her, she didn’t know since people didn’t gobble other people.
It was rather unnerving and thrilling and Charlotte wished that Maria and her husband had not chosennowto visit.
“Lord Kingsley and I were just returning from Scotland and passing through the area,” Maria began to explain as she accepted a cup of tea. “When I realized how close we were to your home, well, we just had to stop.”
Charlotte simply smiled pleasantly and nodded her head.
“After all, Victor married you and then sent you to this rustic area without once inviting you to London.”
“I did invite her,” Victor corrected.
“Often,” Charlotte confirmed.
“Well, I just simply could not let another day go by without meeting Victor’s wife,” Maria finally concluded.
“You have now met her,” Victor stated, none too friendly.
Charlotte shot a look at him. Why was he being so rude to his family? Except, he had voiced that he didn’t trust her, though Charlotte wasn’t given an opportunity to inquire further.
