His former friend was so unyielding. And what did he mean the land wasn’t for sale for the foreseeable future? Alex had thought the Roylances shrewd enough in business dealings to sell if the price was right—but did Christopher mean he would never sell it to anyone?
And then there was his comparing Alex to a stray dog. It had taken everything within Alex not to immediately strike the man. But even Alex’s own father understood how he’d besmirched the Jenkins name. Alex’s spine grew cold as he remembered two years ago when he’d finally paid his father’s last creditor. He’d expected a glorious reunion when his father and mother walked out of debtors’ prison, but his father’s threadbare shoulders had hung low during their brief meeting. “Your mother will never be the same. We are going to move to the Continent,” he’d said.
Alex had tried protesting, then declared he’d come with them.
“No. You must stay here. Here you can make a name for yourself,” his father had said, “without my stain upon it.”
“I am proud of your name, Father,” Alex had said. “I don’t consider you a bad mark in any way.” He could still remember the fervor and pain he’d tried to convey. “Please stay.”
“My mind is made up,” Father had said. “It is better this way.”
Alex had continued to reason with him, but it was to no avail. Now, as the dark train car sloshed back and forth on the tracks, Alex couldn’t help but let a little sliver of doubt enter his mind. Could he ever make something of himself? Why did everyone dear to him distance themselves from him? It wasn’t right. Did it mean something was wrong with him?
Charlotte clearly hadn’t been comfortable around him earlier today. So why did he still feel drawn to her? Why did her beautiful face and contented smile persist in his mind?
Tomorrow he’d be back to work, and she’d stay in London to enjoy her Season with whoever that blasted Lord Ainscough was. Naturally, the man she’d be interested in would be titled. Was it possible she was engaged to him already? And why was it that Alex was jealous of the bloke? Hadn’t he known since their families had parted ways that she’d marry someone impressive? The titled cad, though undeserving of such a woman, would fit the mold of an ideal suitor.
Alex huffed out a great sigh. Since he’d been forced to enter the mining trade all those years ago, he’d taken to the phrase “fortune favors the brave,” but now he knew that wasn’t true. Fortune favored the wealthy—the landed gentry and, of course, those of title. It favored power and influence.
And that world would never include him again.
***
“So how was the zoo?” Christopher asked Charlotte and her younger brothers as they sat across from each other at dinner that evening.
George and Joseph exchanged a glance. Usually Christopher didn’t engage them in conversation and directed most of the topics at dinner. But given such an opportunity, Joseph regaled their brother, describing every animal with bright eyes and expressive hands. It did Charlotte’s heart good to see how happy he was. But as she glanced at Christopher, she noticed he appeared only half-interested as he stuffed his face with more of the roast. Did he care about anyone besides himself? Had he ever truly listened to a word his brothers said? Or her own words, for that matter?
“Very good,” Christopher said, cutting Joseph off abruptly after a few minutes. “Now, Charlotte, I’d like to hear how things go with Lord Ainscough.”
“I am not obligated to report to you,” she said, perturbed by his superior behavior. Her interaction with Alex hadn’t helped her nerves. She’d somehow managed to keep her composure until now, but her insides felt as agitated as wool in a carding comb.
“Is thatreallyall you have to say?” Christopher’s steely eyes challenged her; he was clearly put off by her standing up to him.
“Yes, thank you,” she said, trying to hold her ground but also maintain civility.
He stood and tossed his napkin onto the table. “You ungrateful, spoiled girl. I hope you are being wise in your interactions. You could do much, much worse where a future husband is concerned.” He picked a bit of meat from his teeth. “I thought I was being compassionate and wise in finding someone worthy of you.”
Her other brothers turned their gazes to her. She sighed and clenched her jaw. Christopher’s infuriating point was partially true. She did like Lord Ainscough. He was a good man. But being forced into his good graces was so entirely against her nature. It was quite possible that she’d like him much more if she didn’t feel like she was a piece in Christopher’s game and he’d declared checkmate.
He brushed his hands together. “I’ve mentioned to him that I’d approve of him courting you. It would be an excellent match. By the end of the month you could be engaged.”
“Engaged? We’ve known each other only a few weeks.” Theyhadbeen together at several different dinners and balls. Lord Ainscough had already invited her to go walking during the fashionable hour at the park. But suddenly it all seemed to be moving too fast.
Christopher brushed at his lapel. “Think of what a great honor you would be doing our family!”
That’s all she ever was: a servant to her family’s wishes, to her brother’s never-ending and never-satisfied visions of grandeur involving the Roylance name.
She bit back an angry growl. “Might I make my own progress in this matter?” Her eyes began to prick with hot tears. She didn’t wish to appear so weak in front of Christopher or her younger brothers, but the watery emotion continued to threaten. With trembling hands she pushed in her chair and offered a scant curtsy.
“I know you’ll do what’s right for our family,” Christopher said as his parting remark.
That heavy millstone around her neck caused her to sag, and she fled to her bedchamber as soon as she left the dining room.
Once alone, she turned to her dresses and started organizing the ones she would tell her maid to pack for home. She would join her younger brothers on their train ride back to Northumberland tomorrow afternoon. Christopher had accepted a visit to the Duke of Chelsea’s estate for a few days and was to leave at first light tomorrow, providing the perfect opportunity for Charlotte to do as she wished. She couldn’t remain in London any longer. She couldn’t stay and live through Lord Ainscough’s courting and an engagement if her heart wasn’t in it. She wasn’t sure what she felt toward him, but she would not be pushed into something to satisfy her brother. Some time away would help her know her heart, andthat, more than anything else, was what she craved.
Her wish to go to Northumberland wasn’t because she wished to see Alex. After their encounter today, it was obvious she knew so little about him. He had moved to London, it seemed, and moved on with life.
Going to Northumberland would be proof to Christopher that she could and would make her own decisions.
