Chapter 20

CHAPTER

a

20

C harlotte had been toiling away in the garden, and she entered the manor through a rear door, stepping into the vestibule where she could shed her outer garments. She was wearing a boy's coat, boots, and hat that someone had left behind. It was an odd outfit, but she wasn't a lady of leisure and wouldn't act like one.

She took off the coat and cap and hung them on a hook, then she sat, tugged off the boots, and pulled on her shoes.

The whole property was a work in progress, with everyone but Cedric pitching in to get the place in better shape. He never expended any energy, but Charlotte didn't mind helping out. She'd been raised rich and spoiled, but that portion of her life was far in the past. With Theo and Jackson determined to repair Thornhill, Charlotte was delighted to do her part, and her extra effort provided an important benefit.

If she drove herself to the point of exhaustion, she didn't fret about Polly's school or about Lord Dartmouth and how he'd tricked her. Frequently, she'd catch herself obsessing over him, wondering how many days remained until his wedding, and she'd gnash her teeth.

She understood the old adage about time healing all wounds, but at the moment, her heart was broken and she was miserable. And very angry too.

She was furious with him for being such a cad, and she was furious with herself for being so gullible that she'd fallen for his lies. It was humiliating to recollect how foolish she'd been and she couldn't shake that mortifying reality.

She was so glad she'd found Theo, glad that her sister had married such a terrific man. Charlotte felt safe and lucky too. Her circumstances were improving; she was sure of it.

She rose and was walking into the main area of the house when Theo rushed up. She looked excited, but nervous too, and Charlotte asked, "Has something happened?"

"You won't believe who's here," Theo said. "It's Polly!"

Charlotte gasped. "You must be joking."

"It's really her! She just arrived and I had her wait in the front parlor while I fetched you."

"Oh, my goodness," Charotte murmured. "Is she all right?"

"She seems to be."

"This is the very best news I've had in ages." She started off, but Theo yanked her to a halt.

"She didn't come by herself," Theo said. "Lord Dartmouth brought her. He's here too."

Charlotte bristled with offense. "That scurrilous dog is in your parlor?"

"Yes! When he introduced himself, I didn't know what to do. I couldn't slam the door in his face."

"I'll take care of this," Charlotte fumed and she hurried away, Theo hot on her heels.

"Would you please not fight with him?" Theo begged. "He's such an exalted person and we shouldn't have him as an enemy."

"I don't intend to fight with him. I intend to order him to mount his horse and depart immediately. It's outrageous for him to show up at Thornhill. How dare he!"

"He's very imperious and I suppose he thinks he's entitled to show up wherever he likes."

"You're correct about that! He's the most egotistical prig who ever lived!"

She marched on and she could sense Theo in a dither behind her. It was the basic difference between them. Charlotte liked to spat and quarrel, while Theo liked to chat politely and mend fences. Clearly, in the period they'd been separated, that aspect of their relationship hadn't changed.

She didn't slow down, didn't pause to ponder how hard it would be to stumble on Lord Dartmouth again. In her opinion, he was nothing to her. She was simply eager to hear what Polly had endured after she'd left Dartmouth. Polly could supply that information. Charlotte didn't need to receive it from a pompous, narcissistic idiot like Dartmouth.

She stomped into the room and visually assessed the occupants. It was a chilly afternoon and Theo had a fire burning. Lord Dartmouth was over by the hearth, warming his hands, and Polly was seated on the sofa next to Cedric. Refreshments had been served and Polly was nibbling on a biscuit and hanging on Cedric's every word. Jackson wasn't present, but then, he was always puttering around the estate, supervising various chores.

"Miss Charlotte!" Polly said when Charlotte blustered in.

She jumped up and came over to Charlotte and they hugged for an eternity. Charlotte was the first to draw away, but she held Polly close and studied her for signs of damage or abuse, but she appeared to be fine.

"I've been so worried about you," Charlotte said to her.

"We've been worried about you too! We stopped by your house in town, but it's shuttered, and there was a chain on the door. We were so afraid over your whereabouts."

"I learned that my sister had retired to the country, so I joined her, but where have you been? How did you find me?"

"We were standing on your street in London, when Attorney Coswell pulled up in a carriage. He told us where you were and we traveled to Thornhill straight away to check on your condition."

"I'm so relieved to see you. Can you stay with us? There was gossip that the Dowager didn't send you to school, then you went to town with that awful Miss Ludlow. What happened with her? I was so angry that I allowed her to abscond with you. You don't have to return to her, do you?"

"No, I don't ever have to go back, and you won't believe what the Dowager arranged for me."

Lord Dartmouth was still lurking over by the hearth, and so far, she'd ignored him. But he wouldn't permit himself to be ignored. He was like a prowling lion, like an ogre hiding under a bridge. He would leap up and demand attention, even if you didn't want to give it to him.

She made the mistake of glancing over at him, and as usual, he looked magnificent, which was so annoying. He was wearing casual clothes, but they were expertly tailored, so they fit perfectly. His black hair was down and curled around his shoulders, and he hadn't shaved, so his cheeks were stubbled.

He might have been a handsome highwayman, and she could feel herself leaning toward him, her body yearning to be nearer, and she had to physically prevent herself from behaving like a fool. His allure was that strong.

"Hello, Charlotte," he said.

At hearing his voice, she was weak in the knees. She couldn't bear to display such a silly reaction, so she pasted on a stern expression and asked, "Why are you at Thornhill? I assume it was to deliver Polly to me. If so, you've completed your mission and you needn't tarry."

His cheeks reddened, but he didn't comment. Theo, however, was aghast and she scolded, "Charlotte! Mind your manners. I've already invited Lord Dartmouth to spend the night. The afternoon has waned and he's not leaving when the sun is over in the western sky."

It would have been nice to know that pesky detail before she'd stormed in, and she could have throttled her sister for being so cordial. He was the sort of arrogant ass who would presume he could linger forever.

"Lady Thornhill," he said to Theo, "could I speak to Polly and Charlotte alone for a few minutes? We have some important issues to discuss and we should probably do it privately."

"That's a good idea," Theo said and she gestured to Cedric. "Come, Cedric. Let's step out to the foyer."

"I'm having too much fun eavesdropping," Cedric told her, "and I'd like to see how this resolves."

"Cedric! Come! Don't be a nuisance."

Cedric didn't move, so Theo grabbed his arm and dragged him out. He tossed over his shoulder to Lord Dartmouth, "I'll be outside. If you need my assistance, just call for me."

Theo yanked him out and shut the door, and a dreadful silence descended, one that was filled with regret and recrimination. Lord Dartmouth was determined to hash out their differences, but Charlotte didn't think they had any differences. He'd tricked and ruined her, but those subjects couldn't be debated around Polly, so what was the point of any conversation?

She spun to Polly and said, "Why don't you wait with Theo and Cedric? Lord Dartmouth and I have to confer over several adult topics. It won't take long."

Polly peered over at him for instructions, and Charlotte was irked to note how adoringly she was gaping. Charlotte couldn't blame her for being charmed though. She, herself, had been obsessively charmed by him, but then, he was a master at flirtatious subterfuge, so she hadn't been able to deflect his potent appeal.

He shook his head at Polly. "You can't depart just yet. I have to talk to both of you." Then he shifted his focus to Charlotte and said, "Please sit down."

"I have no desire to listen to you. I can't imagine why you're here, and despite my sister fawning over you, you're not welcome."

He smirked with amusement. "Your sister is delighted to have had me visit."

"Yes, but she's a fool. She was once prepared to shackle herself to my stepbrother, Arthur, so it's obvious she's a bad judge of character."

"Sit!" he repeated more firmly.

She would have defied his grand self, but she understood him all too well. He had an issue to address, and unless she permitted him to bloviate, she'd never be rid of him.

"Fine, I'll obey you," she grumbled, "but if you utter one remark that incenses me, I will return to my bedchamber, and I will remain there until you've left."

She plopped down on the sofa with Polly. Polly clasped her hand and linked their fingers, as he loomed up before them. He appeared massive, commanding, and too powerful to disregard or thwart. She couldn't guess what he was so eager to impart, and she figured it would be rationalizations for his horrid conduct at Dartmouth, but when he spoke up, she was startled.

"I have to begin by apologizing to you," he said to Charlotte. "Polly wasn't sent to school by my mother. The Dowager orchestrated a dubious conclusion for her and I ignored the situation—to Polly's detriment. I'm very sorry."

"Oh." His comment took some of the wind out of her sails. How could she be furious with someone who was sorry? "Apology accepted. Is that it? If so, you can go."

"No, that's not it. My mother arranged for Polly to be married into the Ludlow family. Boggs advised me that you were extremely distressed over the possibility, but there was no one at Dartmouth to help you."

Polly chimed in with, "Lord Dartmouth was wonderful about it. The minute he found out what had occurred, he rushed to town and fetched me away. I'm to live with him at Dartmouth."

"I'm glad for you," Charlotte said, not sure she meant it. "I was hoping you'd have a good ending. I shouldn't have let Miss Ludlow flee with you and I'm disgusted that I didn't intervene to stop her."

"You couldn't have stopped her," Polly said, "so don't be too hard on yourself. The Dowager was determined to be shed of me."

"You are being much more kind to me than I deserve."

There were many details about the Dowager's manipulations that Charlotte would like to know. Lord Dartmouth would have the answers, but with Polly in the room, she wasn't about to question him. She was certain much of it shouldn't be discussed in front of her.

She was concerned about Polly being at Dartmouth. The Dowager ruled the roost at the manor and his obnoxious fiancée was about to move in. Was it wise to have her there with them?

He couldn't have pondered the ramifications, but then, it was a fault ingrained in his personality. He was so rich and so spoiled that he didn't notice the world around him. He was like a mini-king, and if he decided Polly should reside with him, then she would, and he wouldn't contemplate the problems it might create for her or anyone else.

"I'm relieved that you investigated Polly's predicament," she said, "and she just mentioned that you've invited her to live with you, but you can't have considered the implications. What would you think if she stayed at Thornhill with me? In my view, it's a much better idea."

"She can't tarry here. She has to be with me from now on."

"Why is that precisely?" Charlotte asked. "You can be so oblivious, and you can't have thought about her having to put up with your mother and fiancée."

He sat down on the chair across from them, and for a moment, he looked abashed. He seemed to be mustering his courage or maybe carefully choosing his words. Then he said, "I've learned what my mother had done, but in the process, I also learned something quite marvelous." He peered at Polly. "I'm not positive how to tell you this, but I was anxious for you and Charlotte to be apprised together: Polly, you're my daughter."

Charlotte and Polly froze. Polly was stunned to silence, but Charlotte said, "Who told you that?"

"My mother and Boggs. They hid the truth from me—ever since she was born." He chuckled a tad miserably. "When we were at Fog Bay, you tried to convince me that she was mine, but I was too blind to see it for myself."

"Why would they hide the truth?" Charlotte asked, but it was easy to deduce.

He shrugged. "Their motive was typical. They felt the dilemma was scandalous, and they were afraid—if they informed me—I'd want to raise her myself." He smiled at Polly. "They were right. It's exactly what I would have demanded."

Polly finally piped up. "You're my father? Really?"

"Yes. It's wild, isn't it? All these years, I never knew, but I'm thrilled about it. From this point on, you won't have to worry or struggle ever again."

The revelation was too much for Polly. She started to tremble, then she jumped up and said, "Would you excuse me?" She was generally a very polite child, but she didn't wait for their reply. She simply raced out the door and vanished.

Charlotte and Lord Dartmouth dawdled, listening as her strides faded, then he spat out a defeated laugh.

"That went well," he sarcastically mumbled. "I suppose she'll need time to accept the situation."

"You can't take her to Dartmouth," Charlotte vehemently declared. "The Dowager is there and your nasty fiancée will soon be there too. You have to leave her with me."

"Jasmine is gone and she won't be back. My mother won't be there much longer either."

The comment was intriguing, and it was on the tip of her tongue to ask where his mother was headed, why his fiancée had left, but she wasn't about to cordially chat with him. If her curiosity flared, she'd quickly be dragged into his life, which would be a disaster.

"I have a question for you," he said, "and you can't be fussy or grouchy about it. You have to furnish the answer I expect."

Her gaze narrowed. "Are you bossing me? I could swear that remark sounded as if you were."

"I wasn't bossing you. It's just that you can be so stubborn and it's obvious you're still very angry."

"With good reason!"

"Yes, but you shouldn't be foolish merely because you're furious." He paused, swallowed twice and, as if his query were choking him, he said, "Would you marry me?"

Her jaw dropped practically to the floor. "Would I what?"

"You heard me. Will you marry me?"

"No, absolutely not."

"See what I mean? You can be so difficult when you're in a snit."

"This is not a snit," she fumed. "This is a full-on, blazing inferno of rage. I've had enough of you. Get out of here!"

"Marry me, Charlotte. Calm down and be rational about this. I'm ready to proceed. How about you?"

"Are you demented? In the period we've been apart, have your wits been scrambled? You previously proposed to me, but you weren't serious! Before the sun was up, you'd changed your mind! Have you forgotten about that? How dare you insult me like this!"

"I've had plenty of time to reflect since then. I want to be happy, and you, Charlotte Cronenworth, will make me happy."

"Let me ask you this," she seethed. "You're at Thornhill and claiming you're desperate to wed me, but have you, by any chance, cried off from your betrothal to Lady Jasmine?"

He flushed with chagrin. "Well, no. I haven't had a minute to speak to her."

"Then let me ask you this: Are you buying my childhood home of Peachtree Haven?"

His chagrin increased. "I've been considering it. Why?"

"You seem to be unaware of this, but as I staggered away from Dartmouth in disgrace, your fiancée accosted me. She was determined to tell me that you were buying it and that you were giving it to her as her bride gift. Somehow, she'd discovered it would wound me more than any other thing you could possibly do, and she used it to devastate me."

"I never planned to give it to her."

"I don't believe you."

She was very close to tears and she wouldn't weep in front of him. She refused to have him note how deeply he'd distressed her. He was so vain that he'd assume it indicated she cared about him. And she didn't care!

"You'll have to excuse me too," she said. "I will stay in my bedchamber until you've vacated the premises. Please don't torture me another second. Have mercy and go away!"

She leapt up and ran out and she didn't halt until she was safely locked in her room. Theo had tried to stop her, to ask what was wrong, but Charlotte had been too bereft to explain.

v

Win relaxed on a comfortable chair in a rear parlor at Thornhill. Jackson Bennett was seated with him. It was late and they were alone, enjoying a whiskey before they went up to bed. Earlier, when Win had first arrived, Bennett had been out of the house. He'd returned just as they were sitting down to supper.

They were both earls, but Win's title had been passed down from his ancestors for hundreds of years, and the Wainwrights were one of the kingdom's most influential families. Bennett's title had been recently bestowed by the King, with the prior family's line dying out. The place was neglected and decrepit, the manor especially, but he was fixing what he could.

Bennett had a self-deprecating manner that was charming and amusing. He found the whole notion of his being an aristocrat to be absurd. He'd told Win to call him Jackson or Bennett rather than Thornhill. His designation was so new that, when people referred to him as Thornhill, he often didn't realize they were talking to him.

Win liked him very much and he was glad the citizenry had had such a valiant fellow protecting the kingdom. With the King deciding to take the odd step of raising up a commoner, Bennett had been an excellent choice.

Lady Thornhill had insisted Win spend the night and he'd been relieved by the invitation. He hadn't resolved any issues with Charlotte or Polly, and he was such a pompous ass that he'd figured he would bluster in, toss out a few pronouncements, and they'd fall at his feet. He should have recognized it wouldn't be that easy and he hoped morning would bring more positive results.

Supper had been interesting, with Bennett, his wife, and his father the only ones at the table. Charlotte and Polly hadn't joined them. Their absence had been exhausting and the assembled group had had to pretend the two females weren't hiding upstairs.

Despite their not coming down, the meal had been worth attending. It had provided a fascinating look at Charlotte's kin, mostly her sister who'd wisely glommed onto Bennett. She resembled Charlotte enough to be her twin, but her personality was the exact opposite. She was affable and chatty, and even though he'd behaved reprehensibly toward Charlotte, she'd been able to act—in a very British way—as if no horrid incident had occurred.

They'd dined casually and the food had been hearty and simple, but tasty and delicious too. The servants were veterans who had worked for Bennett in London. He'd been stationed in India for most of a decade, and he and his father had had many entertaining stories to tell.

"This is a beautiful property," Win said to him. "Once the manor is in a better condition, I think you'll be very happy here."

"I agree. I like to complain about how dilapidated it is, but I was lucky to have the King single me out."

Win wasn't sure he would describe Bennett as lucky. The King's gift had been a reward for saving the life of a royal cousin from some murderous bandits, but Bennett had nearly been killed in the battle. He'd been terribly wounded, and while he tried to conceal it, he limped and carried a cane to steady his balance. Win suspected he'd never be completely hale.

"I'd like to give you a wedding present," Win said, "but I don't want you to feel insulted by my offer. It appears you could use many supplies. Is there something you require that you haven't the funds to purchase? I'd like to buy it for you."

Bennett snorted at that. "If you're inclined to be generous, I won't be insulted. I don't have an old fortune lying around to pay for the necessary upgrades. In town, I was earning an income from gambling, but now that Theo dragged me away from there, I don't have even that small resource."

"What would help you the most? Paint? Lumber?"

"I have a list as long as my arm, but if I have to pick one item, I suppose I would like a cow or two? Or maybe a fat hog? My biggest chore is to feed everybody, so I'm not fussy."

Win chuckled. "You are a simple man with simple needs."

"Or perhaps a deranged man with impossible needs."

"The minute I return home, I will speak with my land agent to see what we can send you."

"That is very kind. I'll be incredibly grateful."

"I really like your family," Win said. "Thank you for letting me spend the night."

"We have plenty of space. If you're in the area again, you'll always be welcome to stay with us—if you can keep Charlotte from stabbing you in your sleep."

Win grimaced. "I take it she's shared some stories about me."

"Yes. I've never lived much around women, but those sisters gossip like hens in a henhouse. You wouldn't believe the things I've heard."

"Just so you're aware," Win told him, "I'm expecting to marry Charlotte. I would hate to have you deem me a total cad. When she was at Dartmouth, I was awful to her, and I'm sorry. I proposed to her this afternoon, but she refused me."

"Didn't you already propose? Isn't that the heart of the problem? I seem to remember that you proposed, then reneged."

Win waved away the comment. "It was a moment of temporary insanity and I shouldn't have backed out. I understand that. Currently, Charlotte is too furious to accept, but I'll wear her down."

"Can you succeed with her?"

"I'm planning on it, but Charlotte will be a tough nut to crack."

Bennett studied him, sipped his liquor, then said, "Do you know much about the Cronenworth family? Do you know what happened when Theo and Charlotte were girls?"

"Their mother's scandal? Is that what you mean? Yes, I know all about it. My father was an investor at HH Imports, so when Mrs. Cronenworth ran away, we were peripherally attached to the debacle."

"I never met their father, Harold, but he was a cold, cruel fiend. He remarried to his second wife, Georgina, then he passed away. He left the entire estate to his daughters, but Georgina hid his Will, so they were never informed that he'd provided for them."

"Is that where the embezzlement charges stem from?"

"Yes. Harold didn't like Georgina, and she received just a tiny cash bequest, so for years, she stole from Theo and Charlotte. Their situation was very hard."

"I'm acquainted with Georgina's son, Arthur, from my club in town. He's a terrible gambler."

Bennett smirked with disgust. "He squandered many of the assets, so his bad habits are not a mystery to us. Our lawyer, Mr. Coswell, has gotten rid of Arthur and Georgina and we've begun to rebuild the company. He's a clever fellow and he's devised a long-term strategy to have it thriving again."

Win was exhausted merely from pondering the tasks ahead of Bennett and he said, "You definitely have your work cut out for you."

"Since I crossed paths with Theo, I haven't had a minute to catch my breath, but I'm glad for the chores she's delivered. I was so busy in the army, but after I mustered out and sailed for England, I was floundering. Now, my hours are filled with vital activities."

"You're lucky," Win said. "My hours flow by in a boring stream."

"If you wed Charlotte, I predict she'll bring the same sort of chaos to your life that Theo has brought to mine. Under Harold's Will, Charlotte's husband will own half of HH Imports. At the moment, it's not much of a prize, but we'll have it squared away and earning a profit very soon. You and I would be business partners."

"I don't own any businesses," Win said, "so that would be a novel twist for me."

His wealth was produced from his massive properties, from the labor of his hordes of servants. In his lofty circles, it was considered gauche to dirty his hands in trade. Bennett had leapt in with both feet and had survived, so Win would probably survive too.

"There's a first time for everything," Bennett said. "You might enjoy having some interesting and complex responsibilities. Weren't you in the Navy? It might remind you of your glory days."

"Or I might be such a burden that I'd completely muck up what you and Mr. Coswell are trying to achieve."

"We wouldn't let you be a nuisance."

Suddenly, it dawned on Win that he wanted very much to be Bennett's brother-in-law. He wanted to insert himself into the middle of their small, tightknit group. They were poor as church mice, but they seemed so happy. The trick would be to convince Charlotte that she wanted him to join the family too.

He and Bennett were practically strangers and Win never discussed private subjects with other men. His male relationships glided on the surface, as masculine friendships were designed to do. But Bennett was madly in love with Charlotte's sister and she'd been living with them. No doubt he would have some pertinent ideas on how to sway Charlotte into matrimony.

"How can I persuade Charlotte to marry me?" he asked. "What would you suggest?"

"I should warn you that, once we have HH Imports solvent again, she'll be an heiress and she'll have her pick of suitors. No offense, but she wouldn't have to settle for you."

Win scoffed, his arrogance poking through. "She won't meet a candidate as perfect as me. Nor will she find one as elevated in rank and station."

"From what I know of Charlotte, your antecedents don't impress her."

"I've noticed that," Win muttered.

"You can't ever forget her childhood and how she weathered the tragedy over her mother. She and Theo don't trust other people and they don't like to bond because they worry that the other person will vanish on them. You made a hundred mistakes with Charlotte, so you'll have to start from scratch."

"I noticed that too."

"Aren't you still betrothed to your debutante?" Bennett asked.

Win winced. "Yes, I am."

"You should deal with that problem immediately. Until you fix it, Charlotte won't believe you're serious."

"I had deduced that much, so I'm heading to London in the morning to cry off."

"Good," Bennett said.

"What can you tell me about their old home of Peachtree Haven? I heard it was for sale and I've been approached about it."

"It is for sale, but there are some issues with the title. When Arthur was embezzling, he sold it, but he didn't have the authority. We're fussing with the cousin who bought it and we're trying to retrieve it from him."

"What would you think if I bought it?"

Bennett raised a brow. "It would depend on what you hope to do with it."

"There's an intriguing scheme that's just occurred to me. I'll explain when I'm clearer on the details."

"Well, in two weeks, we're off to Scotland, and when we return, matters will be quite hectic."

"More hectic than they already are?"

"Yes. If you're imagining you'll flit to town and flit right back, we might be gone. No one has mentioned this to you, but Charlotte's mother, Sybil, is still alive, and we're about to fetch her to Thornhill. Theo and Charlotte haven't seen her in eighteen years. Not since she ran away. They thought she was deceased."

Win gasped with surprise. "She's alive? Really? Where has she been hiding?"

"Her husband divorced her for criminal adultery, and as punishment, he locked her in a convent. Then he claimed to Theo and Charlotte that she'd died in Paris."

"I'm absolutely stunned," Win murmured.

"He intended that she be imprisoned forever, but Arthur stopped paying her fees, so she's being kicked out. She doesn't have any friends or options, so Theo is bringing her here. I can't guess how we'll all manage, but it will be very stressful for her and Charlotte. If you were expecting the situation to calm between you and her, I wouldn't count on it."

"Could I travel to Scotland with you?"

"I suppose—if you're my brother-in-law by then. With Charlotte being so furious, I can't fathom how you'd pull off a wedding that fast. A miracle would be required for you to drag her to the altar before we leave."

Win spat out a laugh. "I'm prone to working miracles, so we're about to discover what I can accomplish in that short period. I'm betting I'll amaze you."