“And before I could explain anything, they were congratulating me.”
Arabella pressed a hand over her mouth, though Charlotte strongly suspected it was to hide laughter.
“This is not amusing,” Charlotte hissed.
“It is a little amusing,” Arabella admitted.
Charlotte slumped backward miserably. “By this morning, half the ton likely believes I have trapped a duke.”
Arabella’s eyes widened with scandalized delight. “Charlotte Brown, you wicked schemer.”
“I shall throw this cake at your head.”
Arabella laughed openly now before finally softening. “Very well,” she said kindly. “What is to be done?”
Charlotte exhaled slowly. “The duke said we shall attend some social event together and correct the misunderstanding publicly.”
Arabella visibly relaxed. “That is good news.”
Charlotte frowned faintly. “Is it?”
“Yes,” Arabella said firmly. “Because if the duke himself clarifies matters, society will listen.”
Charlotte hoped desperately that she was right.
Though somehow, she suspected society would vastly prefer the scandalous version instead.
CHAPTER 10
Has my family heard the rumors too? Oh what will my mother think?
Charlotte arrived at Viscount Lambourne’s townhouse with equal parts excitement and dread twisting inside her stomach. The carriage had scarcely stopped before she spotted familiar trunks being carried through the front entrance, and suddenly the reality of her family’s arrival struck her all at once. It had been far too long since she had seen her mother and sisters properly. Yet unfortunately, they were arriving in London at the precise moment society apparently believed she was secretly engaged to a duke.
Wonderful timing.
A footman led Charlotte quickly through the house toward the parlor, where voices carried loudly beyond the doors. The moment she entered, conversation stopped entirely. Four pairs of familiar eyes turned toward her at once as her mother,Joan, Irene, and Penelope stared with varying degrees of shock, delight, and dangerous curiosity.
Charlotte smiled despite herself. “It is very good to see all of you,” she said warmly. “I am so glad you arrived safely.”
Harriet rose immediately and embraced her tightly. “Charlotte, darling.”
Charlotte hugged her mother back gratefully before Joan abruptly interrupted from the sofa.
“Oh, enough with the pleasantries,” Joan declared. “We heard the rumors before we left home. Now tell us everything.”
Penelope nearly vibrated with excitement beside her. “Is it true you are engaged to a duke?”
Irene sighed softly. “Perhaps let Charlotte sit down first.”
“No,” Joan said firmly. “This is vastly more important.”
Charlotte closed her eyes briefly.
Of course, this would be the first topic discussed.
She removed her gloves carefully and sat before them with all the dignity she could gather. “I am not engaged to the Duke of Mulford.”
Joan looked deeply disappointed.
