“Lady Charlotte.”
The slurred sound of her name coming from the deep garden shadows had her spinning to see Lord Palmer staggering toward her. Alarm filled her at the sight of him, especially considering the way he swayed on his feet.
“What are you doing here?” she asked in disbelief.
“I came to speak with you, of course. We were interrupted at the wrong moment last time we were together.”
“You mean when you drugged me?”
“I prefer to think of it as loosening your inhibitions.” He waved a hand in dismissal. “I meant no true harm.”
“How dare you.” Her entire being trembled with anger. “You should leave at once. I have no desire to speak with you now or ever.” She turned to go back inside only to feel his hand on her arm, halting her.
“We are not through yet. You owe me a kiss.”
He jerked her toward him and pressed her against his length, his fingers gripping her painfully.
“No.” She wrenched her arm free and shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. “Release me.” She twisted to escape his kiss, bending back as far as possible. Even as she opened her mouth to scream, a familiar voice cut through her panic.
“You bastard.”
Charlotte turned to see James glaring at Palmer, his features tightened with anger.
Chapter Nineteen
Hot fury gripped James as he yanked Palmer’s arm away from Charlotte, freeing her. “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head, eyes wide, chest heaving, her gaze locked on James.
“Go inside.” He clenched his fist, holding tightly to his self-control. At least until she was gone. Then he was going to beat Palmer to within an inch of his life, and he preferred Charlotte didn’t remain to witness it. Relief filled him as she hurried toward the door with only a glance over her shoulder.
“Redmond, this doesn’t concern—” Palmer began.
James slammed his fist into the man’s jaw, sending him stumbling back. He allowed the barely leashed fury to flood him as he grabbed Palmer’s suit coat to pull him upright and punched him again. And again. Then once more, even though James’ hold on him was the only reason Palmer still stood.
“Enough.” A hand on James’ arm coupled with a commanding voice pierced his furious haze.
He turned to see Hugh Raybourne along with his brother, Thomas, beside him.
“He’s done.” Hugh’s quiet statement managed to ease James’ anger.
Palmer slumped to the ground when James released him. The man’s face was bloodied and his eyes closed. He crumpled into a heap at James’ feet.
James flexed his aching hand as he tried to shed the torrent of rage that had swept over him from the moment he’d seen Palmer’s hands on Charlotte.
“He accosted Lady Charlotte,” he managed. His hands shook as he considered whether he would’ve stopped if not for the interruption. Would he have killed Palmer if the Raybourne brothers hadn’t arrived?
“She told us he attacked her.” Thomas rested a hand on James’ shoulder as if to show his support. “Bastard,” he added as he studied Palmer’s unmoving form.
Hugh looked over his shoulder at the onlookers who were now spilling onto the terrace. “Shall we haul him out of here?”
“Or leave him to rot.” James much preferred that option. He should’ve taken care of Palmer before the lord had the chance to accost Charlotte a second time. That had been a mistake on his part.
Lady Barbara arrived along with Viscount Raymond, a friend of Palmer’s. “Charles, what happened?” She knelt to shake her brother’s shoulder, only receiving a moan in response. “Charles?”
“Thomas will deal with things here,” Hugh murmured. “Why don’t you and I find Lady Charlotte?”
“Excellent idea.” Already he felt the weight of curious stares as people looked between him and Palmer. Did they think he’d overreacted? Or that battle fatigue had finally caused him to lose his wits?
All he knew was that seeing Palmer’s hands on Charlotte had angered him to the point where he could barely think. He hoped his response hadn’t cost him her affection.
They left Thomas to explain what happened to Raymond and Lady Barbara as well as the other guests and stepped inside.
James looked for Charlotte, uneasy when he found her just inside the door. How much had she seen? “Are you certain you’re all right?”
“Quite.” Her glare at Palmer, who was being hauled to his feet, reflected anger that nearly matched his own, much to his surprise. He’d expected to find her still frightened. Perhaps even of him. “How dare he.”
“I will make certain he never approaches you again.” He would call out the lord for this, something he should’ve done previously.
“I’ll accompany you,” Hugh offered. “Always better to have witnesses when these sort of things happen. I wouldn’t want you to be accused of something you didn’t do.”
“I appreciate that.” James nodded. Having Hugh there when he called him out would help to make certain his temper didn’t get the better of him again.
“I had best find my wife and explain what happened,” Hugh said and moved off through the crowd.
James watched him go before he looked back at Charlotte, wanting desperately to take her into his arms until the vision of Palmer holding her faded. “I apologize. I should’ve made certain Palmer knew better than to approach you after what happened the last time.”
She shook her head. “You warned him clearly. This isn’t your fault.” She reached for the hand he’d struck Palmer with, her gloved fingers smoothing over his sore knuckles. “Are you injured?”
“Only a sore hand.” Her gentle touch would be his undoing if he didn’t take care. He glanced around, feeling numerous gazes on them. “Perhaps it would be best if we found your mother and you left.”
“Charlotte?” Lady Wynn’s concerned voice had them both turning to face her.
“Mother.” Charlotte didn’t seem to know what to say.
“What on earth happened?” Lady Wynn looked past them to where several guests still stood on the terrace. “Someone told me that you’d been accosted by Lord Palmer. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Viscount Redmond saved me.” Charlotte beamed at him, still holding his hand in hers as if claiming him for all to see.
“Truly?” Lady Wynn looked back and forth between them. “Thank you, Redmond. I’m so pleased you were there.”
“A true hero.” Lady Devlin, a friend of his mother’s, joined Lady Wynn with a smile. “Not just on the battlefield, but here at home as well.” She said the last bit loud enough that it drew the attention of other nearby guests.
Before James could react, several came forward to offer their appreciation for protecting Charlotte and then asking her if she was well.
Charlotte remained at his side, her presence both an anchor and a balm. He hoped his presence eased her angst as well.
While uncomfortable with the attention, James couldn’t dismiss the warm feeling the kind words gave him. But even better was the way Charlotte continued to smile at him. He loved her even more for her unwavering support.
At last, the other guests moved away with the exception of Charlotte’s mother and Lady Devlin, revealing Hugh, his wife, and a footman balancing a tray of champagne.
“I thought it appropriate to offer you a toast.” Hugh handed him a glass which James accepted hesitantly. As far as he was concerned, he hadn’t done anything to deserve a toast.
Hugh lifted his glass after the footman offered drinks to Charlotte, Lady Wynn, and Lady Devlin. “To heroes.”
James couldn’t help but smile as everyone raised their glasses, repeating the toast.
What an odd turn the evening had taken. He detested the fact that Charlotte had been in danger but appreciated having her beside him. Lady Wynn continued to smile at him with approval.
Hope filled him. He’d clearly won Lady
Wynn’s support in his request to court Charlotte. Now if only she could help convince her husband of that as well.
~*~
Charlotte drew a deep breath the following morning when a knock sounded on the door of her bedchamber.
Her maid looked in. “Viscount Redmond has arrived, my lady.”
“Thank you.” Charlotte grinned as she rose from her dressing table, though nerves knotted in the pit of her stomach. He’d come to call on her and was also going to speak with her father again. James’ determination to win him over was both sweet and terrifying.
When she had told James about her father's agreement with Lord Samuelson the previous evening, he'd nodded without surprise, much to her shock.
“That matches what I learned at their club as well. I’m not certain whether Lord Samuelson deliberately enticed your father to gamble heavily, but Samuelson should be ashamed of himself for the bargain they struck.”
Charlotte didn’t bother to mention that her father should be ashamed as well. “If Father doesn't have the money to pay the debt—” Charlotte began.
James shook his head. “Do not worry so. We will find a solution. Together.”
Now that the moment was upon them, her nerves refused to subside. Her father would be livid when she told him she refused to marry Lord Samuelson. But he would be even angrier to hear that she and James knew of his gambling debt. He’d wagered heavily before, but nothing such as this.
James wanted to speak with Lord Wynn first to try once again to request permission to court her. Then Charlotte would join him to tell her father that she’d already advised Lord Samuelson she wouldn’t marry him.
While she appreciated James’ insistence on remaining with her when she spoke to her father, she didn’t know if it was the best way to deal with the situation. She feared James' presence might anger Lord Wynn further. But there was no purpose in her speaking with her father by herself again. That had gained her nothing.
She paused at the sound of voices in the drawing room and walked slowly forward, surprised to hear James speaking to someone. Had Edward joined him? A glance inside revealed him visiting with her mother who sat in a chair with a piece of embroidery on her lap.
Charlotte couldn’t think of the last time she’d seen her do needlework. Even better, there is no wine glass on the nearby table.
“Oh good, you’re here, Charlotte.” Her mother set aside the embroidery and rose. “Viscount Redmond will be joining us as well.”
Charlotte looked at James who merely smiled at her. Then she looked back at her mother. “Joining us?”
Her mother ran her hands along the front of her gown, a sure sign of her nerves then nodded. “I believe it best if we all speak to him. A united front, so to speak.”
Charlotte was overwhelmed and blinked back tears. To think she and James had her mother’s support meant so much.
“Am I late to the party?” Edward strode into the room and didn't seem the least bit surprised to see James there. When Charlotte continued to stare at him, he lifted a brow. “You didn't think the two of you would have to do this without us, did you?”
“I hardly know what to say.” She pressed a hand to her chest with the hope of keeping her emotions under control. “Thank you both so much.”
“I will advise him how James played the hero last evening and saved you,” her mother said as she shared a smile with James.
“And I'm determined to advise him not to insist that your life be as miserable as his seems to be,” Edward added with confidence despite the hint of worry in his eyes.
James seemed to sense her continued concern and offered his arm, tucking her hand firmly against his side. “Shall we?”
“Yes.” The two of them led the way down the stairs and along the hall to her father’s study.
James knocked on the closed door.
“Enter.”
He looked at Charlotte, one hand on the doorknob, and winked. The sweet gesture nearly brought tears to Charlotte’s eyes again. How she loved this man.
Then he opened the door, and they all walked in.
Her father glowered at the sight of them. “What is this about?”
Charlotte’s chest squeezed at the lack of greeting. But she lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. “Good morning, Father. I’ve come to advise you that I cannot marry Lord Samuelson.”
A blotchy red swept over his face. “And I have told you the matter is already decided.”
“I must protest, Lord Wynn,” James began. “In fact, I very much want to offer for your daughter.”
As her father began to stutter a denial, Charlotte’s mother moved forward. “Viscount Redmond saved Charlotte from an attack last evening at the ball and has my gratitude and approval. The least you could do is to hear him out and consider his suit.”
“Father, there is no reason that Charlotte has to marry Samuelson if she doesn’t wish to,” Edward advised him. “We will find another way to pay your gambling debt.”
“What? What are you speaking about?” Her father’s outrage had him lurching to his feet.
“Lord Samuelson told me the truth,” Charlotte advised, doing her best to keep her tone even. Her father seemed to be experiencing enough anger for them all.
“He had no right—”
“Father, enough,” Edward insisted. “Let us speak about this in a reasonable manner. We can work through the situation.” He glanced at James. “You, Redmond, and I can discuss it. Or if you’d rather, you and I can. But Charlotte is not marrying Lord Samuelson. Now then, how would you prefer to proceed?”
Charlotte clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she watched a myriad of emotions cross her father’s face. His narrow lips trembled then tightened, the pupils of his eyes darkening alarmingly.
Then he clutched his chest, eyes wide as his entire body shuddered before he collapsed into his chair, unmoving.
Chapter Twenty
James stared out the window of the drawing room, waiting.
Charlotte sat nearby as did Lady Wynn. The doctor had been summoned, and they awaited his diagnosis.
Low hanging clouds had moved in, concealing the earlier sun. Fog crept along the ground and slowly hid the world from sight. How odd that the weather now mirrored the somberness inside the house.
They hadn’t been able to rouse Lord Wynn though he still breathed, if shallowly. With the assistance of two footmen, James and Edward had carried him upstairs to his bedchamber and made him as comfortable as possible.
Edward had been beside himself with worry, muttering curses for angering his father so much. James had the same concern and soon left him to pace the corridor outside his father’s bedchamber while the doctor examined the lord.
Charlotte sat on the settee, staring into space, her hands folded on her lap. She remained silent and still, her face pale. He dearly wanted to know what she was thinking but each time he approached, she only shook her head as if too overcome to speak.
Lady Wynn appeared stunned as well. She held tight to the needlework on her lap though James had yet to see her take a stitch.
Guilt slid through him, unnerving and unwelcome. Had they pressed Lord Wynn too hard? Had stress caused his heart to give out? Perhaps James should’ve spoken to him alone again after all. Or perhaps he should’ve asked Edward to speak to Lord Wynn on his behalf. Or...
He halted his circling thoughts. The advice his commanding officer had told him so often rang through his mind. I prefer to regret the things I’ve done rather than those I haven’t.
How true. A look at Charlotte proved he’d been right to do all he could to win her hand. Any other option was impossible to consider. A life without her would be no life at all.
Love welled inside him, and he moved to take a seat beside her, trying again to think of what he could say or do to ease her worry.
“Charlotte?” He kept his voice low, barely above a whisper as he reached for her hand,
shocked at how cold it was.
She turned to look at him, her eyes wide and filled with fear. “I wish—”
Before she could finish the thought, Edward walked haltingly into the room, his pale face etched into taut lines as he glanced at his mother then Charlotte, and finally James.
Charlotte stiffened and pulled her hand from James’ to stand and James followed suit. “Father?”
Edward’s lips twisted then his gaze shifted to his mother. He shook his head. “He’s gone. The doctor said there was nothing he could do.”
“Oh!” Charlotte placed a trembling hand over her mouth as she blinked back tears.
James put his hand on her shoulder, but she moved toward her mother and knelt beside her chair. Lady Wynn showed little reaction to the news, her body stiff. Edward joined Charlotte, and they each took one of her hands.
“Mother?” Edward spoke gently. “Did you hear me? I’m so sorry.”
Lady Wynn looked at Edward after several moments passed. Then she nodded as tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry too.”
James remained where he was, witnessing the painful moment, his heart aching, all too aware he could do nothing to ease their grief. Lord Wynn might have been an irritable man with little good to say about anyone or anything, but he had still been their father and Lady Wynn’s husband. Their lives wouldn’t be the same without him.
Worst of all, James was to blame for his passing. He took several steps closer. “My deepest condolences.” How insufficient the words seemed.
Edward offered his mother a handkerchief, and she dabbed her eyes and drew a shuddering breath. “I want to see him.”
“Mother—” Charlotte began to protest.
“We shall all go see him and pay our respects before we discuss what needs to be done.” Lady Wynn lifted her chin and edged forward in her chair, giving both Edward and Charlotte no choice but to stand. “I want to speak with the doctor myself.”
James moved closer, his gaze on Charlotte.
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