“I had no idea when I sought to court her, and it doesn’t change my feelings for Charlotte,” a voice said through the cracked door, “but what exactly does the contract say?”
An angry breath escaped the other person. As soon as the second man spoke, Alex knew it was Christopher. “She owns the forty acres of the south forest.”
The other voice spoke, his voice pleasant, and Alex could only assume it to be Lord Ainscough’s. “So upon her marriage—”
“It goes to her husband, no matter what I or anyone else says,” Chris said, “which is very fortunate for that man.” His tone had lightened, as though he were trying to remember the benefit of such an arrangement.
So the land Cartwright wanted was in Charlotte’s hands and not Chris’s? According to law, she could own it outright as a single woman. No wonder Chris’s anger and power extended over his sister’s choices. He wanted to direct the transfer of property. His inability to sell it finally made sense.
“Now, as for your other matter...” Christopher sighed. “I assure you I am overjoyed, but I do feel it best to wait until after the ball. Lady Eloise wouldn’t wish her day of triumph to be lessened.”
The dissonant sounds of tuning strings and woodwinds snapped Alex back to reality, and he hurried toward the servants’ entrance without hearing the remainder of the conversation. He hadn’t known Charlotte owned that land. But now that he did, it complicated the evening. If Charlotte accepted his plan tonight, that land could provide a way for them to live without her family’s blessing. His heart grew light at that possibility. But he didn’t know her thoughts on such an idea. She’d never mentioned her land to him. In fact, she’d been completely frustrated the only time they had talked about it, something she’d forgiven him for asking about, but that was a wound he wasn’t sure he should open. Perhaps she didn’t want the land to go to him.
Once he’d snuck into the kitchen, Alex pulled off his mask, but in his haste and excitement, he forgot he still wore his ridiculous livery. Servants bustled in and out of the doors, most not taking notice of him as they carried large trays of food and drinks past. He wondered just how he would find Moxham amid so many busy people.
Then a voice he recognized bellowed across the room. “You there. The musicians ought to be in the ballroom.”
“I know,” Alex whispered, relieved at his good luck as he strode over toward Moxham. “It’s me.”
“By all the saints... ,” Moxham whispered as he pulled Alex into a side corridor. “I was hoping it was you!” He hefted a tray onto his shoulder. “It’s right good to see you, Jenkins. You can change in here, and I’ll deliver this tray.” He gestured to a servants’ room across the corridor. “As soon as I come back, I will be at your service.”
Inside the small room, Alex worked to don his second costume, grateful the servants were too busy to come into their quarters at such a time.
It felt like hours before Moxham returned, and Alex grew impatient. He listened to the sounds outside the room, sure that a few dances had already passed. Finally, just before Alex had almost given up on his friend’s help, Moxham burst into the room. “My apologies. I ran into that tyrant himself on his way to the ballroom, and he demanded I take care of some of the last carriages.”
The mention of Christopher made Alex’s nerves tighten. “No matter,” he breathed. “I need to get upstairs and inside the ballroom without being noticed. Then, just after the ball ends, can you move the horse? I left him just outside the park in the woods, but I need him near the trees, hidden outside the conservatory. Christopher knows him, so it’s imperative Cobalt remain hidden while people are walking the grounds during the ball.” Alex whispered the remaining details of his plan, noting Moxham’s eyes growing ever wider with each detail.
“I’ll do it,” Moxham said with a smile. “But this is risky, Jenkins.”
“Miss Royalance is worth it.” Alex tried to ignore the worry in his friend’s face as his own anxiety compounded. He clapped Moxham on the shoulder and offered a wry smile. “Thank you for the vote of confidence.” He didn’t have time to waste, but he had to ask, “How are things with Mags?”
Moxham’s imperfect grin lit brighter than a star. “She likes me, miracle of miracles!” He gestured a thick finger toward his mouth. “Remembered me right away with me tooth. I can explain more later.”
Alex nodded. “I finally found out what happened to her just this morning—head injury from a piece of falling coal. The men overseeing her took her to the woods and left her for dead to cover the incident; I have dismissed them permanently.”
Moxham shuddered. “Heaven be thanked that Miss Roylance found her and helped me reunite with her.”
“Indeed.” Alex nodded.
“Now to another victory!” Moxham whispered, pushing Alex toward the doorway. Alex strode bravely forward, hoping Moxham’s words would prove true without delay.
Chapter 30
The crush of people inthe great hall seemed to press against the walls, and it felt as tight and oppressive as Charlotte’s bound heart. The opening notes sounded for the first set, and the center of the floor cleared as people drew back toward the walls, but she couldn’t see Christopher or Harris anywhere. Then, just before she feared how to explain to the enormous crowd why they lacked a head couple and the dance floor stood empty, Harris caught her hand and whisked her to the front of the hall. She remembered when Alex had done so in the town square, and just recalling the thrill of dancing with him then made her stomach clench. Now all she felt was relief and no excitement.
Christopher finally came through the door nearest the study with Lady Eloise on his arm, and they led out across the elaborately chalked floor.
“You seem pleased.” Harris smiled at her. “Is dancing with me such a delight?”
He had noticed her smile; he’d just misunderstood it.
She curtsied and assumed the dance’s position. “I didn’t know where you were.”
“Oh yes.” Harris pursed his lips. The gold tips of his antler mask tilted to the side. His jacket trimmed in fur and gold-and-brown deerskin fit him well, but she thought the color was too monochrome with his coloring. “I was in the study.” His eyebrows rose high. “I finally found a moment to have an audience with your brother.”
The ache that had taken up residence in her stomach grew like an infection.
He sighed. “Apparently he and Lady Eloise are to make their own engagement announcement tonight, and therefore he wishes us to wait until tomorrow.”
