26. Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter twenty-six

C harlotte’s heart beat erratically as she raced up the stairwell and down the hallway with Snowball clutched to her chest. Praying that her stepmother had not chosen this particular eve to slumber with her father, she opened the door and peeked into his chamber.

Crackling flames in the hearth cast the room in a peaceful glow. Since it was a bit warm for a fire, Papa must have needed the extra heat due to ailments. Luckily, he slept alone. After arranging Snowball in her basket, Charlotte shook him awake.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Charlie, ’tis the middle of the night. What are you doing in my chamber?”

“’Tis almost morning,” she said. “Hugh is in danger. We must help him. ”

“Hugh Fletcher? In danger? I do not understand.” Papa groaned. “Damnation. Why can the man not find a way to get along with Curly and Stilts? They are not so bad.”

If they were the men who had attacked Hugh in the garden a few nights ago, they were imbeciles. However, this was not the time to confront her father for his poor taste in bootlickers, lovers, and second wives.

“They are not the issue.” Charlotte tugged on his arm. “Hurry. I will explain on the way.”

Papa stumbled out of bed. Charlotte helped him into his slippers and held up his banyan so that he could slide his arms into the sleeves. Once he was modestly attired, she ushered him into the hallway.

Charlotte immediately halted and gawked because Alexander stood at his chamber door, peering in the opposite direction. He slowly faced them, then winced. His disheveled hair stood in the air, and his shirt hung open, exposing bare skin.

“Fat-ther? Charlie? What are you doing up at this hour?” he asked as he fiddled with his buttons.

Half-dressed and sputtering? Without a doubt, her brother was up to something. Perhaps trying to sneak a woman out of his chamber? Maybe the lady from the masquerade who had him acting like he had been caught with his hand in the biscuit tin of late. Not that Charlotte cared in the least. He was a grown man with needs.

“Alex, please help us,” she said. “Hugh is in grave danger. Lady Chesterhill is holding him captive.”

Alexander rubbed at the stubble overtaking his jaw and mumbled, “That damnable woman.”

“Xander, my darling,” someone called.

Charlotte knew that chilling voice. Hatred surged through her .

Preparing to lambaste her stepmother, she abruptly turned. Instead, she gasped with delight, for Hugh was safe, and Lady Chesterhill was a prisoner in his arms.

“Hugh!” Charlotte cried. The pistol in his hand and the anger in his gaze kept her from dashing to him.

“Charlotte. Thank the good lord above.” He hoisted his prisoner onto her toes and quickened their pace.

“What in the deuce is going on?” Papa asked.

“My darling, Xander.” Her stepmother wriggled about, trying to break free from Hugh’s hold. “Please save me from this brute.”

Hugh’s countenance instantly shifted from delight to fury. Once they were close, he directed his glare at her father. “Chesterhill, you need to get your bloody wife under control.”

Suzannah reached for Papa. Instead of taking her into his arms, he bent forward and clasped his chest, gasping for air.

Alexander’s face paled. “He is having difficulty breathing.”

While the rest of them helplessly gawked, Hugh reacted swiftly. He handed the pistol to Charlotte and inclined his chin toward his prisoner. “Do not let her get away.” He swung his arm under Papa’s armpit. With his other hand, he shoved Alexander. “Move aside.”

Her brother briefly hesitated before helping to carry their father into the room.

Even amongst the chaos of an emergency, her stepmother had the gall to snarl at Charlotte. “What are you doing alive?”

Charlotte was much too worried about her father to respond, so she simply used the weapon to herd her stepmother into the room.

Her father sat on the bed, Hugh and Alexander leaning over him. A red-faced woman, gnawing on her lip, backed toward the door. Charlotte knew it. Her brother had a lover in his chamber, and the poor woman was currently fleeing the awkward scene.

It took her a moment to recognize Baron Coldpepper’s oldest daughter, Emily. No wonder The Coldpeppers had outstayed their welcome. Poor Emily must want to die of humiliation. Charlotte would seek out and console her another time. Presently, she was more concerned about her father and the evil woman perched on the bed beside him, caressing his forearm as she spewed diabolically sweet lies.

Papa held up his hand. “I am well. Would you all stop fawning over me?”

“My darling, Xander, I was terrified. Whatsoever would I do without you?”

“I hope not to disappoint you all, but I am not dying today,” he said.

Charlotte took little solace in his pronouncement since he had used the word today . His skin was quite gray, and he had aged these last few weeks. The thought of losing him was too painful to endure. Therefore, she’d pretend he would live forever.

“Oh, Xander, this is so good to hear.” Her stepmother threw her head back and tittered—unconvincingly, in Charlotte’s humble opinion. “Why would you think that I want you dead? You know I love you so.”

“Xander, my sweet…”

“Xander, my love…”

On and on the black widow wove a deceitful web of sweetly cooed sentiments. If Charlotte had eaten these last few hours, she’d cast up her accounts. Meanwhile, her father melted into the seductress’s touches .

Alexander inserted himself between the couple, forcing their stepmother to scooch away. “I dare say, we should call for Doctor Wellington.”

“Nonsense. ’Twas just a little spell. I am as fit as a flea. As right as rain. Now, someone tell me. What the dickens is going on?”

This hardly seemed the appropriate time to discuss the kidnapping and attempt on Charlotte’s life. Unfortunately, her hesitation gave the marchioness ample time to commandeer the conversation.

“I was trying to keep this brute from running away with our dear daughter,” she said.

Balderdash. Now that the subject had been breached, Charlotte would have to address it. “Papa, she tried to have me killed. The captain of her guard took me into the woods, intending to end my life.”

“I would never…” Lady Chesterhill held a hand to her heart.

Both Alexander and Hugh scoffed.

A black cape fluttered past the doorway.

“Leon,” Lady Chesterhill called.

Shoulders hanging, Leon stepped into the room. “Yes, my lady?”

“Please come here,” she said.

He shuffled to them, halting at the foot of the bed.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. Please tell everyone why you took Lady Charlotte into the woods.”

“I was trying to keep her from running off with Mr. Fletcher. Forgive me for being so bold, but he has a reputation as a notorious rake. And after he…” Leon’s gaze slid to her father, and he winced.

It seemed he was unable to lie about Hugh to her father’s face .

“Well, I only wanted to protect her. But she stole my pistol, hit me with it, and then ran away, leaving me injured and with no protection.” Leon pointed to the bruise on his forehead.

Charlotte had promised Leon that she would say as much. But at the time, she had not known this might allow Lady Chesterhill to get away with a horrific deed.

“I am an old man with only one wish,” Papa said. “I want my entire family surrounding me.” He grasped his chest again. “It might be time for us to call for Doctor Wellington.”

Emily Coldpepper strode back into the room. “Please forgive me for interfering. I already called for the doctor.”

Following the collective gasp, she shrugged. “You were all quite distracted.”

Alexander beamed at her. “Thank you.”

“Alexander, do you plan to introduce me to this lovely friend of yours?” Papa asked as charming as ever. Quite a feat seeing as how he was propped on pillows and clutching his chest.

“Father, this is Emily Coldpepper. Emily, my father the Marquess of Chesterhill.”

Emily stepped forward and curtsied. “My lord.”

Papa smiled at her. “Oh, yes. I recognize you now. Baron Coldpepper’s oldest daughter?”

“Yes, sir,” she said.

Papa hummed in appreciation. “I like this one, Alexander. I do hope you plan to do the right thing by her.”

Lady Chesterhill tensed. “You cannot expect Alexander to marry a woman that has been overlooked by every eligible bachelor in the ton . How unfair. I will not have my stepson treated thusly.”

Teeth-clenched, fists balled at his side, Alexander growled .

Miss Coldpepper was the picture of stoicism. She met Alexander’s gaze, her lips forming a soft smile.

Hugh cleared his throat. “Shall we get back to discussing Lady Chesterhill’s devious machinations and her henchman’s lies?”

“Everyone, out,” said Doctor Wellington as he entered the chamber and hurried to her father’s side. “I need to attend to my patient.”

Tears stinging her eyes, Charlotte kissed her father on the forehead. “Papa, please get well. I love you.”

“I will be fine, Charlie, my darling girl. This is not my day to visit our lord. I still have many tasks I must attend to.”

“Promise?” It was a silly request, but she was desperate for something to hold on to.

“I promise. And I love you, too, my darling girl,” Papa said.

Hugh pressed his hand against the small of her back and escorted her from the room.

Time seemed to stand still as the six of them stood in the hall, their emotions raw as they awaited the doctor’s opinion. Meanwhile, Papa’s words echoed in Charlotte’s mind. “ I will be fine, Charlie, my darling girl. This is not my day to visit our lord. I still have many tasks I must attend to. ”

Despite the anxiety zinging through her, she knew with all her heart that he would live another day. What the next few months held… Well, she could not think about that without her breath catching in her lungs.

“Emily Coldpepper, wait until word of this gets out,” Lady Chesterhill announced out of nowhere. “Did your parents think to leave you here, ruining your reputation so that Alexander would have to marry you?”

“Cease with the shite, Mother. Say anything, and I shall roast your heart on a spit. That is if you have one.” Alexander’s jaw clenched, and he huffed. “And if you must know, she left with her parents, and I went after her, and begged her to come back.”

Where had this bold side of her brother come from? Charlotte rather liked it. And how lovely that he had feelings for a woman who had cared more about her father’s health than her own reputation. Charlotte wrapped her arm around his waist and together they faced their stepmother.

“Let us get some things out in the open right now,” Alexander said. “You shall no longer torture Charlie or threaten me.” He slid his gaze to Emily. “I have never had an affair with this woman, despite any rumors she may start.”

Was their stepmother threatening to spread rumors about an affair with Alexander? The very notion was repulsive.

“Why would she do such a thing?” Charlotte asked.

Lady Chesterhill lifted her chin. “Because it is indeed true. The young lordling seduced me.”

Hugh huffed. “Even I do not believe that falsehood, my lady. That story will not guarantee you a Chesterhill inheritance. Obviously, your stepson has no intention of marrying you once his father dies. Try another.”

“Huh.” Alexander nodded. “Now I see your game, mother. Do not think for a second that when I inherit the marquessate, I will share any part of it with you. I will see you hanged first. From the absolute disgust apparent in his continence every time he looks at her, I doubt Hugh Fletcher has had an affair with you either, and I suspect you are also threatening him?” Alexander scowled at Hugh. “Not that I admire you in any way. But my sister and father hold you in high regard, so I will honor their sentiments.”

Hugh grunted. “The feeling is mutual. I would love to kick your arse to kingdom come. But even more than that, I hope to eventually see your stepmother locked in a prison cell for the rest of her days—until she is a haggard old shrew without a pinch of her former beauty. However, mere brick and mortar may not be strong enough to cage an evil beldam.”

Alexander sniggered.

“You may have won this battle, Hugh Fletcher, but you have not yet won the war.” Lady Chesterhill’s pupils narrowed until she resembled a cobra preparing to spit venom in its prey’s eyes. Her gaze darted back and forth between Charlotte and Alexander. “Just try to turn your father’s affections from me. I dare you.”

“I relish the battle, my lady,” Alexander said.

Charlotte did not desire conflict, but she would fight this woman with every tool at her disposal—just as soon as her father was well.

Lady Chesterhill crooked a finger at Leon, whose gaze had been glued to his boots the entire exchange. “Come.” She turned on her heel.

“Yes, my lady.” Like a naughty puppy awaiting his punishment, his shoulders slumped as Leon shuffled after her.

Alexander sighed.

“Have you known all along what a monster she is?” Charlotte asked

“Charlie, if you only knew the things I have had to deal with. I believe our stepmother suffers from a case of histrionics, requiring her to need everyone’s attention at all times. It manifests itself in jealous fits of rage and absurd dramatics. The ancient Greeks blamed a misplaced uterus for such afflictions.”

Charlotte winced. That hardly seemed likely. “Mayhap, she is fearful we will throw her out like her last stepchildren?”

“Or she could just be pure evil and require an exorcism,” Hugh said.

Alexander exhaled a defeated groan. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s heart overflowed with affection for him. She may have had to suffer the lady’s insults, but it seemed that was nothing compared to what her brother had been through.

“I am so very sorry.” She pounced on her brother, hugging him as if he were the most precious person in the world. Now that they had mended their strained relationship, would he help her? “Will you talk Papa out of making me marry Lord Nash?”

“Nay. Father’s decision is final.”

“Alexander, I dare say, you could speak with your father and persuade him otherwise,” Emily said.

Alexander wrinkled his nose. “’Tis not my place.”

“Have you already forgotten what you said about Lord Nash last evening?” Emily asked.

Hugh quirked an eyebrow. “What did you say about Nash?”

“Nash is a pompous arse.” Alexander huffed. “I do not favor having him as a brother-in-law.”

Grinning, Charlotte rested her hands on her hips. “What other secrets has my brother confided in you, Miss Coldpepper?”

The girl’s face turned scarlet.

“I plan to ask for your sister’s hand,” Hugh announced as breezily as if he were mentioning a ride in the park.

Shock over his pronouncement hit Charlotte so hard that she was left speechless for a long while. Once she had her wits about her, her excitement burst from her with an enthusiastic cry of joy. She leaped into his arms. “I want to be your wife, Hugh. With all my heart.”

“Fletcher, how can you possibly take care of my sister? You cannot even keep yourself from getting the shite kicked out of you. You have no title. No holdings. No money—”

“Alexander, darling—” Emily rested her hand on his forearm, “—were we not just talking about how people should marry for love?”

Alexander sighed. “Yes.”

Charlotte was quickly coming to adore Emily Coldpepper. Interestingly, the rumors about her were wrong. She did not seem the least bit shy. In truth, she was delightfully bold.

The door opened, and Doctor Wellington stepped into the hall.

“How is he?” Alexander asked.

“Resting and recovering. He will survive this spell.”

“Oh, thank you.” Charlotte lifted her gaze to the heavens.

“I will look in on him tomorrow,” Doctor Wellspring said. “For now, there is to be no stress. Whatever that jumble was about, it cannot happen again in his presence.”

“Understood,” Alexander said as they all muttered their agreements.

The doctor toddled down the hall, eventually disappearing into the stairwell.

“For Papa’s sake, we must put up with her a bit longer, mustn’t we?” Charlotte said, even though the entire prospect made her want to scream.

“I say, I escort her and her Capes to the magistrate for their misdeeds,” Hugh said. “Immediately.”

“Fletcher, it would destroy my father. We must wait until he is well enough to handle the blow. Since she knows we are onto her, I believe her machinations will cease.” Alexander sighed, then smiled. “I dare say, I am famished.”

“Shall we retire to the breakfast parlor?” Charlotte asked.

Emily’s countenance lit up. “That sounds delightful.”

Alexander wrapped an arm around Hugh’s shoulders and guided him toward the stairwell. “Let us discuss my stepmother’s eventual demise over coffee and egg pie.”

“What an appetizing prospect.” Hugh peered over his shoulder to wink at Charlotte. “I do hope there is bacon.”