Chapter 27

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

C harlotte stood with Matilda, both in disguise, on the fringes of Lady Dames's gambling den and watched in horror as her father wagered her hand in marriage. Was she worth so little to him that he would take her choices away? He could not be so unfeeling and cruel.

"Charlotte, whatever does your father mean to do by wagering you so?" Matilda clasped Charlotte's arm, her eyes filled with concern.

Charlotte did not know how to answer her friend. What could she say that would make any sense? Her father had never acted so maliciously before, and to wager her before so many influential gentlemen was humiliating.

She would be the laughingstock of all London society. His mentioning that her reputation would stay intact by gaining a husband made her sound sullied in some way.

Of course, they did not know she was well and indeed ruined, but her father's public statement allowed it to appear so.

Despair swamped her. Unwilling to stay a moment longer, Charlotte went to leave but paused when Matilda's clasp on her arm tightened.

"Your father thought he was playing Lord Booth, but Mr. Richards will play the last round." Matilda met her eyes, and Charlotte scrambled to think straight. Did that mean if Alexander won, they would be together? That they could marry? Perhaps this night was not so bad after all.

"If Alexander wins," she whispered, "does that mean I'm betrothed to him?"

"That is what your father is saying, although they seem to be arguing, but I cannot hear over all the noise."

Indeed, the room increased in noise, glasses clattered, and the gentlemen around them conversed on the conversation of the duke and Mr. Richards.

Charlotte dared not move any closer, fearing her father or Alexander would recognize her. She wasn't supposed to be here, her mother had only allowed her out of her room with the understanding she would attend the Arden ball this evening, which she had for an hour before leaving with Matilda for the gaming hell. And now, here they were, watching her father wager her hand in marriage—and the man she desperately wished to marry being the one who was playing to win.

"Well, if you were ever in doubt as to what Mr. Richards's feelings were for you, I do not think you should be any longer. He's very engaged in the game and looks determined to win." Matilda grinned, and Charlotte couldn't help but allow the flicker of hope to ignite within her. Warmth spread through her at seeing him again, his disheveled hair and severe expression as he concentrated. Her fingers trembled, and she clasped them together before her.

There was so much at stake. Out of her father's foolishness, she may gain what she wanted in a husband. One of her choosing and loved.

The game continued, each player taking turns with their respective hands before Alexander laid down his final cards and leaned back in his chair, a satisfied light in his eyes.

Her father's face drained of color, and he stood, his chair flying backward in his rage, crashing to the floor. "You're a cheat, and I shall not honor my wager!"

Alexander rose, towering over her father, and without fear, began to calmly collect his winnings. He'd won thousands of pounds, not to mention a hunting lodge and her hand in marriage.

"You should not have wagered Lady Charlotte's hand if you did not wish for her to be won. Fairly, I might add, I never cheat."

Her father looked to the other gentlemen for support, and yet, thankfully, no one uttered a word. Nor should they. Alexander was a renowned card player, and few would question his integrity or ability.

"I'll not have it, I say. No bastard will marry my daughter."

A muscle worked in Alexander's jaw, and Charlotte wanted to rush to him, to wrap her arms around his waist and tell him she would marry him, no matter his birthright.

"Oh dear, Charlotte, I must go. My brother has arrived, and he'll surely see through my disguise," Matilda said suddenly, her voice tense.

"Of course. I'll come with you and ensure you get in the hackney safely."

"But what about you?" Matilda asked as they made their way toward the door.

"I'm going to try to speak to Alexander. I haven't seen him for a week, and I need to see him. Ask what he thinks we should do now that he has won this game."

"Very good. I shall call on you tomorrow and see how you fare." Matilda pulled Charlotte into a quick embrace before climbing up into a hackney and moving off into the night.

Charlotte turned to head back into the gaming den, but as she did so, she collided with a solid wall of muscle. She stumbled, losing her footing, before a strong pair of arms wrapped around her waist, saving her from hitting the cobblestones.

"Charlotte, what are you doing here?" Alexander's harsh whisper both alarmed and calmed her panic that she was about to be accosted.

"I needed to see you, and I knew the card game was tonight. I hoped you would be here, but I didn't know you were competing."

"I couldn't help myself. I had hoped to speak to your father more calmly and gentlemanly, but that seems impossible now."

Charlotte took in his appearance now that she was close to him and noted the stubble that covered his jaw and the shadows under his eyes. Had he not been sleeping? Was he not taking care of himself?

Alexander hailed another hackney. He took her hand, helped her ascend inside, and sat beside her.

"I'm sorry for what happened, Charlotte. I did not mean to be caught. I fell into a deep sleep, and when I tried to sneak back to my room, the house was already stirring. Your parents met me at the top of the stairs and?—"

Charlotte stopped his rambling apology with a kiss. Oh, how she needed to feel his lips on hers, have him close, and claim this stolen moment without interruption. A heady rush of desire ran through her, and she wanted him with a fervor that stole her breath.

"I no longer care that we were caught. And if father honors his wager this evening, we will be married."

"Will we now?" He grinned, his hands gently cradling her face, his blue eyes locking onto hers, full of warmth and adoration. "I have my doubts your father will honor his stake."

"Will you make him?" she asked, hoping he would, for she certainly would not allow her father to lie and cheat her out of what she most wanted.

"How can I? I'm nothing but a steward. I'm neither powerful nor foolish enough to take on the Duke D'Estel."

Any hope Charlotte had for them to be together faltered. She tried to hide her disappointment, but it was no use. Alexander sighed and pulled her close to his side. "I would run off and marry you in secret if I could, but I've never wanted that for you, Charlotte. I want to celebrate the woman I marry. To give you the grand wedding that's fit for a duke's daughter. I will not give up on trying to reconcile with your father and make him see sense." He paused. "Are you well? You were not mistreated after I left?"

Charlotte ran her hand over his jaw, reveling in having him in her arms. "They kept me hidden away, locked in my room until my courses came two days after you left. My mother was delighted we did not create a child, but I am not. I wanted to carry your baby so much. They would not have been able to stop us from marrying then."

"Don't be so certain. They're outraged by our actions, and I'm not sure how to make amends."

"Well, I know how you can make amends to me." Charlotte slipped her hands over Alexander's shoulders and pressed against him. "We could drive around town. Be alone…"

Alexander grinned, his eyes filling with mirth. "I have a better idea."