27. Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter twenty-seven

D espite his lack of sleep, Hugh’s steps were light, and he whistled a cheerful tune as he trekked from the main house to the cottage.

The company at breakfast had been delightful. Halfway through the meal, Lord Chesterhill entered the breakfast parlor. Although his pallor had not improved, he joined them at the table, chatting as if nothing was amiss.

Astoundingly, sweet, intelligent Emily Coldpepper brought out Alexander’s human side, making the pompous arse almost likable.

Charlotte’s eyes had twinkled, and Hugh had soaked up her smile. Damn, his Firefly was lovely, and he was besotted. The thought of life with her by his side did not spark the slightest fear or doubt. Love at first sight was indeed real—unless Cupid had shot an arrow through his heart.

Hugh washed his face, polished his teeth, changed into clean clothing, and brushed his hair. Since it was not yet eleven, he sat at the table and perused the stack of newspapers while awaiting Theodore Ravenforde’s visit.

Lord Chesterhill entered the cottage about a quarter before the hour. He poured himself a drink and sat across from Hugh.

“Are you sure he is coming?” the marquess asked every few minutes.

Hugh was so single-minded that he managed to concentrate on his task despite the marquess’s constant interruptions and incessantly tapping foot.

About a quarter after the hour, Ravenforde still had not arrived.

Lord Chesterhill sighed loudly. “He is not coming.”

Ravenforde was probably drunk, balls deep in some whore. So, why in the hell did Hugh feel the need to protect him?

“My lord,” he said, “I believe you sincerely want to do right by your by-blows, but you need to consider what the truth might do to Theodore. He is heir to a viscountcy. You would strip him of this.”

“But I am a marquess.” He held his index finger high. “I outrank Cornelius Ravenforde.”

These damn aristocrats were so oblivious.

“That makes him a byblow of a marquess instead of the legitimate son of a viscount. He would lose his title. His home. His father’s love. His mother would be disgraced.”

“But he would have my love.”

Hugh shook his head. “He has never had your love. Forgive me for saying so, but your pride is getting in the way of what is best for Theodore. Believe me, I do not hold him in high regard, but I think this could destroy him.” The bastard was already an emotional mess.

The marquess’s bottom lip stuck out.

“My lord, think of King Soloman and the baby. A parent will do anything to protect their flesh and blood, including swallowing their pride. Why not allow Theodore to keep his viscountcy?”

“He can decide for himself after he meets with me?” Chesterhill said.

Hugh nodded. “Fair enough.”

Chesterhill startled at a light rap on the door. His eyes widened, and he popped from his seat. “Theodore is here.”

Hugh doubted it was Ravenforde tapping. He was the type of man who would pound on a door and bellow his presence. Hugh presented his palm staying Chesterhill, then he strode to the door.

As he suspected, it was only a footman, presenting a missive. Hugh read the note to himself before reading it to Chesterhill.

“ Fletcher,

Keep your bloody nose out of my bloody business. Come near me again, and I will pound your face into the ground. Tell that fool, Chesterhill, I want nothing to do with him. I will cut out his wicked wife’s heart if he dares start a rumor about me or anyone in my family. He does not want the things I know about her to get out. First and foremost, she bathes in infant blood to keep her youthful appearance. And this is only the start.

Do not test me. Stay the fuck out of my life .”

The response did not shock Hugh in the least. What took him by surprise was that Ravenforde had the foresight not to sign the note .

“My wife does not bathe in infant blood.” Chesterhill dropped his head onto the table and whimpered.

Hugh stifled his, Are you sure about that? “I believe his decision is quite clear.”

Chesterhill mumbled something indecipherable into the table.

How torturous to watch a grown man blubber like a child. “I have another promising lead,” he said, hoping to cheer Chesterhill up. “I believe I may be able to track down Celine Stone.”

Chesterhill lifted his face from the table. “Celine Stone?”

“Cleopatra from the Pink Petal. Celine was her given name,” Hugh said.

“Christ. I did not even know her name.” The man’s arrogance gone, he bowed his head. “Thank you, Fletcher. I am grateful for your assistance.”

Without a second thought, Hugh blurted, “Grateful enough to allow me to marry Charlotte?”

Chesterhill simply stared at Hugh for a moment before responding. “Alexander made me aware of your intentions and Charlotte’s feelings.” He opened his mouth to say something else, but instead clamped his lips closed. At length, he said, “But Fletcher, you have nothing to offer my daughter.”

“Love, devotion, protection...” From your wife . “Family.”

Chesterhill sat silent.

“My family is quite loving and welcoming.” Hugh hated to use his cousins as leverage, but in case his mother and sister’s love was not enough, he’d mention his connections. “Do not forget, the Duke of Astleyshire is my first cousin as well as the prince’s confidant. My cousin Katrina is married to the Earl of Trent’s brother and has the queen’s ear. And my cousin Ethan is quite a popular bloke. His parties are all the rage in Brighton society.”

“But you are the son of innkeepers.”

“My mother owns a genteel inn in Brighton,” Hugh declared, his shoulders pulled back. “And I was educated alongside England’s elite.” Hugh hated to brag, but he’d been left with no choice. “I took a first from Cambridge.”

The marquess snorted. “Fletcher, if you break her heart or mistreat her in any way, despite what you are doing for me, I will have your heart ripped out.”

Fair enough. “Sir, I will treat her like she is a princess. I will devote my life to her.”

Tears formed in Chesterhill’s eyes. “That is how I should have treated her. I have been somewhat negligent.”

“Forgive me for saying so, but I will be honest when it comes to Charlotte. She loves you unconditionally, even though you ignore that your wife torments her.”

Chesterhill paled, once again looking as if he might keel over at any moment. “Do you not understand, Fletcher? This is why I have asked for your help. I have spent my life being an absolute arse without a care for anyone. I want to do better.”

“Then make it up to Charlotte,” Hugh said. “Allow me to dote on her. With the money you pay me, I shall open an agency—Fletcher’s Investigations and Bounty. I am quite good at what I do. I will buy us a lovely flat in London. We shall have loads of pets. Charlotte adores animals.”

Where in the hell had that idea come from? It was a bloody good goal. Yes, indeed, he would start his own agency.

“She does love her little pets. She has always had a way with animals.” After an excruciatingly long sigh, the marquess practically whispered, “She has a dowry.” Thereupon, his future father-in-law scowled at him. “I agree on one condition. You must not be caught in her room again engaged in untoward affairs. You shall wait until you are married.”

Damnation, that would be a tough promise to keep. But Hugh would do his best. “Agreed.”

Chesterhill held out his hand. Smiling, Hugh shook it vigorously.

“And I expect grandchildren sooner than later,” Chesterhill said.

Thank the heavens above because Hugh planned to work through every page of the How to Please Your Lover chapter in The Secret Life of Gentlemen, andonce they were wed, he vowed to practice daily until his vivacious wife was good and sated.

It was almost midnight when Hugh scaled the tree beside Chesterhill Manor. Lech that he was, he quite enjoyed climbing onto a women’s balcony. Hopefully, this time he did not end up locked in the cellar. He had important things to attend to and could do without interference from fathers, brothers, henchmen, or hellish harpies.

Candles and lanterns still glowed, so he peered into Charlotte’s chamber.

She sat at her dressing table, brushing out her golden locks, her kitten on her lap.

Hopefully, he did not terrify her because she had been through enough these past few days. He pressed his face against the glass and lightly tapped.

Snowball leaped from her lap, and Charlotte gracefully swirled to face him. His heart danced about in his chest as he lifted the sash and entered her chamber.

“I had hoped you would come,” she said as she skipped to him.

He wrapped her in his arms. “I cannot stay long,” he whispered against her cheek.

“Oh, bother.” Her slippered foot stomped on the carpet.

Chuckling, he escorted her to the bed. She sat and patted the mattress. Damnation, it would be hard to be beside her and not touch her. But touches led to kisses, and kisses led to licks. Which led to suckling. Which would most definitely lead to an overwhelming desire to sink his cock into her tight cunny…

But that was not what this visit was about. He called forth his discipline and sat beside her. Taking her hand in his, he inhaled a steading breath. “Charlotte, I spoke to your father today.”

“Yes. He told me.”

Her all-consuming smile warmed him to his soul. Lord above, let him speak his mind without becoming tongue-tied.

“I know we have not known each other long, but I knew the second I saw you standing in the garden lighting up the night, that we were destined to be together.” It had been as if a lightning bolt zapped between them, binding their souls.

She squeezed his hand. “I felt it too.”

“I know I am not worthy, and I do not have as much to offer you as Lord Nash.” —the pile of horse dung.

She wrinkled her nose. “I detest him.”

Thank fuck. “If you will do me the honor of being my wife, I shall devote myself—”

Charlotte leaped onto his lap, peppering his face with kisses. “Yes. Oh, yes, Hugh.”

He laughed like an absolute fool. “May I finish my proposal, I worked quite hard on it?”

She placed her hand over her mouth and stared into his eyes. As still as she sat, he could feel vibrations of excitement bubbling through her.

“I shall devote myself to your happiness. I plan to open my own business. Fletcher’s Investigations and Bounty.”

“How wonderful.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You shall be so successful.”

Lord, he hoped. Where was he? Oh yes. “I spent the afternoon looking at properties in the city and have found the perfect location. There is a lovely flat above it. ’Tis quite large, and you may decorate it as you see fit. I believe it requires a kitten, a puppy, and a few songbirds to make it even more cozy. There is a stable not too far, where we can keep a horse and a goat. You may bring your maid and the young lad who works in your father’s stable to be your staff.”

She squealed with delight.

So far, this was going splendidly. “If you are agreeable, we shall marry next month and travel to Brighton for our honeymoon.”

She gasped. “Next month?”

“Is that too soon?”

“Nay.” She giggled. “’Tis not soon enough.”

He could not agree more because he was impatient to start their new life together—to wake up in her arms every morning and make love to her every night.

“You chose the date,” he said.

She bit her lip. “Shall we marry here with my family or in Brighton with yours? ”

“Whatever you wish. If we stay here, I shall make sure your stepmother is kept in her place.” He cringed. “Never mind, I cannot keep her in hell. But I will prevent her from interfering.”

Charlotte pursed her lips. “I would like for my father and Alexander to be at our wedding, and I would like to stand up to her myself. Following the ceremony, we can leave for Brighton.”

“Perfect,” he said, knowing full well, that he would step in and berate the she-devil if she did anything to ruin Charlotte’s special day.

“Will we be staying at your family’s inn?”

“Yes. ’Tis quite elegant. You will love my mother, and she will absolutely adore you.”

“Will I meet your sister?”

“Yes. I have not a doubt, the two of you will become the best of friends. I will warn you, being raised on the coast makes one a bit freer spirited than being raised on an estate outside of London. She is warm and generous, although a bit wild. You will also meet my cousin Ethan and his wife. They are quite delightful, and we shall have fun touring the seaside with them.”

Charlotte wriggled about on his lap. Which was slightly problematic since he was desperately trying not to become aroused.

“I cannot wait to see the ocean,” she said.

“It will be too cold for sea bathing, but I find walking on the beach to be quite enjoyable. Now, could I finish the most important part of my proposal?”

She clamped her palm over her mouth, her expectant gaze willing him to continue .

“I love you, Charlotte Beckett, my sparkling Firefly, with my entire heart and soul. You have turned the drab colors in my life into brilliant shades.”

She dropped her hand. “I love you too, Hugh Fletcher, for making my drab life thrilling. And for encouraging me to believe in myself. You make me feel brave. Like I can take on the world.”

“I believe you were already brave before you met me.” He planted a chaste kiss on the tip of her nose. “However, let us just say, we complement each other.”

“I like that.” She slid a palm to his crotch.

His cock instantly awakened. Unfortunately, he must keep the promise he had made to her father. He allowed himself a moment of passionate kissing before reluctantly moving her hand.

“Please, do not tempt me. It will kill me, but we must wait until we are husband and wife. I promised your father.”

She sighed. “Fine. But then we must marry tomorrow.”

He chuckled. “We will not yet have the banns.”

“Then we shall apply for the banns tomorrow and marry the day they are posted.”

“Whatever you wish, my beautiful fiance?e. Forever and ever, I shall give you the world,” he said, his heart thumping wildly and his once angry soul ensconced in joy.