Once Amelia was gone, Julian turned his gaze upon Charlotte. “I enjoyed myself immensely, Lady Symthe. Piquet is rather captivating, isn’t it? I was quite mesmerized.”
“But you left in such a hurry, Captain.” Aurelie nudged Charlotte. “Something tore you away rather suddenly, I think?”
Charlotte crossed her arms over her chest. “Anxious to escape with your ill-gotten winnings, no doubt.” He’d wagered and won fairly, but perhaps the insult to his honor would goad him into a temper, or at least an unattractive frown, and then the widows would see what he was really like—
“Charlotte!” Annabel gasped.
“It’s all right, Lady Tallant. Lady Hadley regrets the loss of her necklace.” Julian reached into his waistcoat pocket and drew out the amethyst choker, his face so soft with concern when he held it out to her, for a moment even Charlotte believed him sincere. “I meant to return this last night, but if you recall I became distracted.”
Lissie smothered a giggle at Charlotte’s quelling look. “I don’t recall anything of the sort, Captain.”
“Ah, well.” He gave her a suggestive smile. “Perhaps I wasn’t the only one who was distracted. But I can’t imagine any other lady could do justice to such a lovely necklace. I could never deprive you of it, Lady Hadley.” He took her hand and draped the necklace over her palm.
The widows let out an audible sigh.
Charlotte closed her numb fingers around the choker.Dear God. He was far too good at this.
Annabel cleared her throat and came forward to kiss Charlotte on the cheek. “We’ll see you tonight, dearest.” They made their way into the hallway and collected their gloves and bonnets from Nelson, but Annabel turned back just before the butler ushered them out the door. “Oh, and Charlotte? Do extend an invitation to my rout tonight to Captain West, won’t you?”
Charlotte’s heart sank like a stone. She wouldn’t invite him, but it hardly mattered. He’d be there, and not just tonight, but every night until he drove her out of London.
Amelia came back into the room as the widows disappeared through the front door and into Aurelie’s waiting carriage. “You will come riding this afternoon, won’t you, Charlotte?”
Charlotte turned to Amelia with a guilty smile. She did intend to ride this afternoon, but not with Julian. “Oh Amelia, I’m afraid not. I have an engagement this evening, and so much to do—”
“Oh.” Amelia’s dark eyes, so eager only moments before clouded with disappointment.
Julian snapped his riding crop against his boot. “Don’t look so glum, Amelia. You’ll be back in London in, what? Another six months for next year’s season? I’m sure your sister will have time for you then, and you and I can still go today.”
Charlotte slid Julian a resentful look. Would he stop at nothing to achieve his ends? She had all the time in the world for her young sister, and she didn’t want Amelia to think otherwise.
“But Charlotte knows all about the fashions on display on the promenade. Do you know anything about fashions, Uncle Julian?” Amelia’s tone betrayed her deep skepticism.
“Fashions? I can tell you all about the gentlemen’s boots, if you like.”
“Gentlemen’s boots! What is there to know about gentlemen’s boots one way or another?”
Julian looked a bit offended. “Quite a lot, as it happens, such as whether they’re Hoby, or—”
“I’ll change into my riding habit,” Charlotte interrupted, resigned. She had no wish to spend the afternoon with Julian, but she couldn’t disappoint Amelia on her last week in London, or in good conscience doom her young sister to a lecture on gentlemen’s boots.
“I believe Lady Tallant said something about a rout?” Julian asked, once they were all mounted and riding down Grosvenor Street toward Park Lane.
Charlotte kept her eyes on Amelia, who rode just ahead of them. “It’s nothing you’d be interested in. Just a few notables from the demimonde, along with some ne’er-do-wells from the outer fringes of theton. Not your people at all, I’m afraid. Not a hero amongst them.”
“It sounds delightful. What time shall I fetch you?”
“You shouldn’t. I haven’t extended an invitation to you.”
“Ah, but Lady Tallant has, and I will attend, so you may as well let me escort you.”
If he escorted her tonight, he’d escort her tomorrow night, and the next, and every night thereafter, until her last refuge became no refuge at all. “No. I want you to stop this, Captain.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Lady Hadley. Stop what?”
“Stop trailing about after me as if I were some kind of criminal. Stop lying to my friends.”
For a long moment there was only the clop of the horses’ hooves against the cobblestones, but at last Julian spoke. “Cam and Ellie are eager to have you come to Bellwood. Perhaps you should go. Put an end to this chase and simply do as they wish.”
