“What about the Black Sheep? Are you fine with me retaining an interest in the business?” Charlotte asked.
Matthew’s thumb traced her temple as he watched her with a surety that engulfed her heart. “It is a part of you, Charlotte, and a part that I very much like. If you wish a more public role in its running and Hannah and Sophia agree, then I will be the first to shout from the rooftops what you have accomplished. You have said you are glad to take a tradesman as a husband, and I shall be thrilled to have a tradeswoman as a wife.”
Charlotte immediately kissed him with enthusiastic abandon. Yet the lack of finesse did nothing to dampen the passion. If anything, it ignited even more. Their mouths slid against each other, their tongues tangled, even their very breaths mingled.
“Let’s marry as soon as the banns are posted!” she gasped as Matthew found a particularly sensitive juncture where her neck and right shoulder met.
With a dazed expression, Matthew raised his face toward hers. “Banns?”
“Wedding banns. They’re statutory law now—not just canon,” she said quickly before guiding his lips back to the spot that he’d been so lavishly attending. When his mouth touched her skin, she nearly screamed out. “Or Gretna Green! It’s quicker.”
She felt his smile against her neck before he whispered, “Gretna Green it is.”
“Dear heavens, what are you wearing? Is that thing about your shoulders supposed to be a coronation robe? And what happened to your poor hair? Please tell me no one has seen you looking such affright.” Charlotte’s mother’s horrified exclamations broke the utter silence that had descended upon the family drawing room.Her father, who looked annoyed by the interruption to his morning routine, had rudely stayed seated when the butler had ushered Charlotte into the richly appointed but hideously uncomfortable space. Despite her father demanding that Charlotte adhere to every social grace, he saw no need to follow them himself.
She was pleased to finally show him the same consideration. It was odd and decidedly freeing to stand in her parents’ London home and not feel obliged to assume any role. Not the obedient daughter. Not the elegant hostess. Not the refined Society miss. Not even a lady.
She was simply Charlotte.
Although, frankly, she was wearing a costume, but hadn’t she always? This time, though, she wore the regalia of a ruler, which was fitting, seeing as Charlotte had decided to wrest control of her own life.
“I am Queen Elizabeth. I thought it was rather obvious.” Charlotte swirled her golden robe with a dramatic flourish.
Her mother grimaced and limply raised her hand to her forehead. Charlotte only swung the material with increased enthusiasm.
“Lady Calliope lent me the costume.” Charlotte paused for dramatic effect, knowing her next words would send her mother into a panic. “For a masquerade.”
Mother’s fingers fluttered to her bosom. “Please tell me that you did not attend one of the Duke of Blackglen’s notorious parties. It is beyond the pale under normal circumstances, but you are practically engaged to Lord Hawley. What would he or his father think if they discovered that you entered such a den of debauchery?”
“Oh, I am no longer going to marry Hawley,” Charlotte said, purposely leaving off the horrid man’s title. “In fact, that is why I came. I am here to announce that I am betrothed to Dr. Matthew Talbot.”
“What?” Charlotte’s father jumped to his feet, interested for thefirst time in the conversation. “That is rubbish. The Duke of Lansberry and I already came to an agreement. The marriage contract is in the process of being drawn up.”
“I am afraid you will need to toss the papers in the fire,” Charlotte said. “Hawley won’t consent to a union with me after I was instrumental in his arrest last night.”
“His arrest!” Her mother also leapt up.
“For robbing coaches. He is the highwayman who has been targeting wealthy, well-connected nobles,” Charlotte announced rather gleefully.
Her parents swiveled to stare at each other in consternation. As they were not a particularly close couple, the nonverbal exchange was highly unusual and indicated the depth of their disbelief.
Her father turned back toward Charlotte first, his face thunderous. “That is utter nonsense!”
“It is not balderdash,” Charlotte said with an easy smile. “I literally unmasked Hawley myself with the aid of Dr. Talbot. Two dragoons were present who witnessed Hawley’s attempt to hold up our carriage and heard the viscount confess to two murders.”
“It cannot be true.” All color drained from the duchess’s face except her bright spots of rouge. “He is an heir to a dukedom.”
“Which does not negate his criminality,” Charlotte pointed out. “Regardless of what you believe, you’ll read the truth in the pamphlets or hear it from your friends. Gossip as juicy and plump as this will quickly burst throughout London.”
“If what she says is true, we cannot have our name linked with Viscount Hawley!” Charlotte’s mother whirled on her husband, desperation shattering her genteel facade. “You must cease all negotiations with the Duke of Lansberry.”
Charlotte’s father began to pace. “He will not be pleased. Perhaps the second son will be a suitable replacemen—”
“I am marrying the third,” Charlotte told them. “He is waitingoutside in a carriage. We’re headed to Gretna Green. I only wanted to be the one to tell you of Hawley’s capture.”
“You cannot espouse yourself to a mere surgeon!” her father shouted as he surged forward and accidentally tripped over a table. He managed to right himself, but his wig slipped over one ear. “If you are not to wed Lord Hawley, I have other plans for you.”
“Be sensible, Charlotte,” her mother chided.
