“Oh. I see.” Her mother’s hesitant tone was testament to her confusion, but she smiled nonetheless. “In that case, come find me when you’re ready.”
Charlotte gave a polite nod before heading upstairs. She moved slowly, desperately hiding the panic that tore its way through her like runaway horses. Once she was safe inside her room, Charlotte carefully shut the door and rang for Daisy. She’d no idea how to solve her predicament yet, but she was certain that whatever she ended up doing, it would require her trustworthy maid’s assistance.
Blayne stared at the neat brick façade of Number Two Berkley Square. When Charlotte hadn’t shown up at the agreed time, he’d decided to find out why. So he’d gone to call on her directly, only to be denied entry by the butler who’d told him never to return again.
Something had obviously happened. But what?
He scratched the back of his head and turned away. No sense in standing about on the pavement. Instead, he made his way back to The Black Swan while wondering what had transpired. Was it possible Charlotte’s parents had figured out what she was up to? Could they have learned he wasn’t who he pretended to be?
Judging from the swift dismissal he’d just received he believed that must be the case. Perhaps Lady Warwick’s comment at the ball had prompted the Russells to investigate him. But he’d taken precautions in the event they did. Guthrie had ensured that if they questioned Lord Meyers, the home secretary, they would receive a vague answer. And if they sought out his place of business, they’d find a neat shop on Bond Street. Of course, if they’d had him followed, they would have learned the truth soon enough. It wouldn’t have been too hard. He’d just hoped his act was convincing enough to prevent them from doing so.
The biggest question of all was where this left Charlotte. Denied the income she’d been relying on from her next book, her options were surely limited. Which meant she might have no choice but to do as her parents insisted and get herself married. And since he was now prevented from seeing her, Mr. Cooper was the only viable option when it came to potential husbands.
Notthat Blayne had any intention of heading down the aisle with her himself. He just didn’t want to see her unhappy.
He tensed at the thought of her marrying the American. The very idea of her in another man’s arms made him want to punch holes through walls. He muttered a curse. There was no guarantee things were anywhere near as bad as he feared. His gut said otherwise, but he knew from experience he could not risk making a wrong assumption. For now, he’d send a couple of lads out to investigate matters further so he could get a better picture of the situation at hand. He wanted to know who came and went from that house and at which hour. Most especially, he needed to make sure Charlotte was all right.
11
Careful to keep herself hidden by the creamy silk curtain flanking her window, Charlotte looked out onto the street below. Blayne stood there, frowning at her house as if it were some perplexing problem he wasn’t sure how to solve. She’d heard him arrive and she’d also heard Everet’s dry dismissal of him.
Her heart ached and a terrible knot squeezed her throat. She wanted nothing more than to open the window and call out to him, to offer an explanation so he would know it wasn’t she who’d rejected him. He turned and began walking away, leaving her there, imprisoned in her own home.
After talking to Daisy, Charlotte had made up her mind. She would keep her appointment with Blayne and when she saw him, she’d tell him everything so he’d understand what was happening.
Unfortunately, she’d underestimated the awfulness of her current situation. Because when she’d tried to leave the house, Everet had stopped her.
“I’m sorry, miss,” he’d said, “but your father insists you remain at home today. It is my understanding that he wishes to speak with you.”
“Then he is here?”
“He has gone out but is due to return before luncheon.”
“So I have until then,” Charlotte had said. “Daisy and I shall take a walk. We shan’t be long.”
Everet had stepped in front of the door, blocking Charlotte’s path. “Your father was adamant. He instructed me to tell you that should you decide to thwart his wishes, you would be putting my employment along with Daisy’s in jeopardy.”
Anger still rolled through Charlotte in waves, rising each time she recalled those words. She could scarcely wait for her father’s return so she could give him a piece of her mind. This situation was not to be borne.
A soft knock sounded and then her door opened. Daisy stepped in. She’d brought a fresh pot of tea along with two cups, bless her. “How are you feeling, miss?”
“Wretched and furious.” She watched Daisy set the tray down on top of her dresser. “They’ve taken the one thing I truly valued away from me. The ability to come and go as I please.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if your father is trying to make sure the only man you see from now on is Mr. Cooper,” Daisy said, her disdain for the viscount’s machinations unmistakable. “You can’t marry him.”
“As I told you last night, I do not plan to.”
“Good.” Daisy handed Charlotte a cup and took one for herself. Once Charlotte had taken a seat on the stool in front of her vanity table, Daisy perched herself on the edge of Charlotte’s bed. Charlotte couldn’t help but smile. Somehow, Daisy had sensed she needed a friend right now more than a maid.
“What about Mr. MacNeil?”
Charlotte shrugged in a hopeless attempt to mask the pain that gripped her at the mere mention of his name. “You know the situation. I am forbidden from seeing him again.”
“But you care for him.” Daisy’s probing gaze searched her face. “I know you do.”
Of course she did.
“It doesn’t matter.” Charlotte took a sip of her tea and fought the sting in her eyes. “I’ll just…I’ll have to find a way to deliver the money I owe him.”
