by Bree Wolf
However, the moment passed quickly as the first flames of desire lit up his eyes, open and without pretence, and yet, terrifying to someone like Charlotte.
“I have not,” she said, surprised at the rudeness in her tone.
His eyes widened slightly, but his lips curled up in amusement. “Do you desire to go?” he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.
“Not at all,” Charlotte replied, quickly returning her gaze to the safety of the cushion in her hands.
“How could you not want to go?” Miss Davenport exclaimed, throwing up her arms. “Oh, how I long to see the world. Believe me, after being trapped in this house for weeks on end without anyone to speak to, you, too, would find yourself dreaming of the world outside.”
“I certainly agree,” Lord Huntly said in a tone matching Miss Davenport’s enthusiasm. Then, however, he cleared his throat and a more serious note came to his voice. “Have you never seen the world, Miss Ferris? Or did you simply find it lacking and have no wish to return to it?”
Her needle froze midway through the fabric, and slowly Charlotte lifted her head, eyes wide as she stared at the man who seemed to read her like an open book. What did he know? Was this a game? Did he know who she was and was he trying to lure her out?
“Why would you ask that?” she whispered, her voice weak and unable to hide the tremor that ran through her.
Holding her gaze, he leaned forward and a gentle smile came to his face. “I merely speak of the way you arrived here. Although you may not remember what happened,” for a bare second, a question lit up his eyes, “it must be terrifying to imagine the atrocities committed against you. I suppose that alone is reason enough for anyone to avoid the world at large.” For a long moment, he held her gaze, and she thought to see a flicker of understanding.
“Yes, indeed,” Miss Davenport exclaimed, and the moment was broken. “It was most horrifying.” She turned slightly widened eyes to Lord Huntly. “Do you think we are in danger here? Surely, whoever attacked her has long since left the area, don’t you agree? Oh, to think of him somewhere here on the estate would just be so terrifying! I shall not sleep another wink until he’s been apprehended.”
Although Miss Davenport’s words suggested her displeasure with the situation, Charlotte noticed the slight flutter in her voice as she spoke, betraying her excitement with a new adventure lurking just around the corner. Miss Davenport was indeed unfamiliar with the world for only someone who had never come face to face with another who wished to hurt them would deem such a prospect desirable.
Relieved that Miss Davenport once more drew Lord Huntly’s attention, Charlotte returned to her needlework. In the future, she would have to take better care to avoid him for he unsettled her greatly, and she could not afford to let even a single word slip that might shatter the life she had built here … as short-lived as it might be.
Chapter Eleven – A Proposal and All That It Entails
Throwing open the door to his friend’s study, Sebastian grinned. Today proved to be a splendid day, indeed.
Richard looked up from the ledger in front of him, and his eyes narrowed instantly. “I see trouble walking toward me,” he observed, then put down the quill. “Why are you here?”
“I came to ask for your assistance,” Sebastian said, almost dancing in his step. As he came to stop in front of his friend’s overly large desk, he added, “I intend to ask for Miss Ferris’ hand in marriage.”
Rolling his eyes, Richard groaned. “Are you mad?” Rising to his feet, he rounded the desk. “I had hoped you would abandon that silly idea. Sebastian, marrying an unsuitable girl to punish your father is truly the worst idea you’ve ever had.”
Sebastian smiled. After all, in his eyes, she was most suitable, indeed. There was something in the way she looked at him that felt incredibly familiar as though they had known each other for years, and after having known her for only a few days, the thought of being without her already pained him. Why? He could not say. Never had he experienced anything like it.
“You’ll ruin your life,” Richard continued, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “What kind of marriage do you believe to have with a girl like that? She has no family connections, no breeding, no fortune.”
Sebastian frowned. “You have to admit she is cultivated, and her manners are impeccable. In every way, she reminds me of a society lady. If you hadn’t told me that−” His eyes narrowed, and he wondered if Miss Ferris was truly who she claimed to be.
“What?” Richard enquired. “What I believe is irrelevant! Do you truly believe society will accept her? The daughter of … well, no one.” He sighed. “You’re being foolish.” Throwing up his hands, he shook his head. “Not unlike my sister.”
Sebastian laughed, “Are you now my big brother as well, seeking to save me from ruining my reputation and disgracing my family?”
“Well, it does feel awfully familiar,” Richard said. “I’d rather not have to lock you up as well.”
Laughing, Sebastian stepped forward, then met his friend’s eyes. “I am determined to have her as my wife.” Richard’s head sank. “You may not agree with me, but I ask that you respect my decision.” He took a deep breath, and a smile came to his face. “I never thought I’d say this, but she’s the one.”
“Again, you sound like my sister,” Richard cursed, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’ve never known you to be such a fool for love. All this romantic nonsense is just−"
“It’s not nonsense,” Sebastian objected. “And I do not merely choose her because her background and standing would displease my father. To me, she has a multitude of appealing qualities.”
“You’ve known the girl for a mere few days, Sebastian,” his friend objected. “How well can you possibly know her?”
“Well enough to not want her to slip through my fingers,” he stated, nodding his head for emphasis. “So, will you help me?”
“Help you? How?”
Sebastian grinned. “Distract your sister.”
“My sister?”
“I wish to speak to my future wife in private, and your sister is making that exceedingly difficult.”
For a long moment, Richard merely stared at him, possibly considering alternate arguments to persuade him from his path. However, after a while his shoulders slumped. “Fine. When?”
“Now.”
“Now?” he gasped.
Again, Sebastian grinned. His friend could be truly entertaining at times. “They are in the drawing room.”
Richard inhaled deeply. “Fine. Do as you wish,” he mumbled as he headed for the door.
Following his friend, Sebastian realised that he was indeed a little nervous. What if she refused his offer? Although he suspected that she had experienced the same sense of recognition when their eyes had met, he had sensed hesitation on her part, even a hint of fear. Maybe it would be advisable to approach her from a rational perspective.
Standing back, half-hidden behind the door, Sebastian waited as Richard asked his sister to follow him back to his study. Although annoyed with the interruption, she did so without argument, merely grumbling under her breath about her brother’s lack of good manners.
When they were out of sight, Sebastian took a deep breath and stepped up to the door just as Miss Ferris was about to leave. When they almost collided, her eyes widened in surprise before she swallowed. He could see a hint of fear in her hazel eyes. Her hands curled into the fabric of her dress, and she took a few steps back. “Lord Huntly,” she mumbled, almost shying away from him.
Closing the door behind him, Sebastian stepped forward, careful to keep his distance. “I wish to speak with you, Miss Ferris. Do you have a moment?” he asked politely, seeking to put her mind at ease.
Miss Ferris, however, seemed tense as she nodded, eyes fixed on the door that barred her escape. Then she returned to her seat on the settee while Sebastian took the armchair across from her. “I came here to enquire about your plans for the future,” he began, noting
the hint of surprise that came to her face. “Lord Ashwood tells me your position here is only for the remainder of the year until the next season begins.”
“It is,” she confirmed, her eyes studying his face, clearly seeking to understand why he would ask such a question.
“Do you have another offer to be a companion?” Sebastian continued, hoping that logic would be his ally. “Anywhere to go once the family returns to London?”
Miss Ferris swallowed, her hands digging deeper into the fabric of her dress. “Not at present.”
“I see,” he said, trying his best not to appear too threatening despite his line of argument. “I thought as much.” He shifted in his chair, leaning forward, his eyes fixed on hers. “See, I came here to make you an offer.”
Her eyes narrowed. “An offer, my lord?”
“You see, there has been a bit of upheaval in my family recently, developments that could and should have been avoided but now only serve to endanger the happiness of one close to my heart.”
“Your sister?” she asked, and yet, a hint of understanding shone in her eyes as though she understood the misery of Victoria’s fate better than anyone.
“Yes, my sister,” Sebastian confirmed, feeling his spirits temporarily subdued at the thought of her hopeless situation. “In my absence, my father forced her into a marriage to a gentleman who does not deserve the word.” He swallowed.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, honest regret in her voice as she held his gaze for the first time without a sign of anxiety in her lovely eyes. “But what does that have to do with me? Do you wish for me to be her companion?”
A gentle smile came to Sebastian’s face. Maybe she was right. Maybe he ought to find a companion for his sister to lift her spirits. “That’s not what I had in mind.”
Again, her eyes narrowed as she searched his face.
He took a deep breath. “I mean no offence, but you’re precisely the kind of woman my father would object to.”
Her eyes went wide. “Excuse me?”
“Therefore, I would like to ask for your hand in marriage,” he stated calmly as his heart hammered in his chest.
***
With her heart pounding against her ribs, Charlotte sat in shock, staring at the man in front of her who had just made her an offer of marriage because his father would deem her unsuitable.
Had she misunderstood him? Never had she heard of such a line of thinking. Certainly, it was not unheard of that a son sought to rebel against his father, but never in such a way. Was he serious?
“I assure you, Miss Ferris, that I do not share my father’s opinion,” he added when all she could do was continue to stare at him. “You are a beautiful woman of infallible character, graceful manners and most importantly you have a kind heart. All these qualities recommend you to me.”
Knowing that at some point she would have to respond, Charlotte swallowed. “You cannot be serious, my lord.”
“I am,” he assured her. “I propose a marriage of convenience, which after all is the usual way to conduct the marriage business. However, where such dealings are usually influenced by title and fortune, ours shall be based on other attractions.” A teasing note came to his voice as he spoke the last word, and Charlotte couldn’t help but wonder whether the reasons he stated were true. “I offer you a secure life. After all, I am the heir to my father’s title and fortune. In return, you help me exact revenge on my father for the cruelty he bestowed on my sister.”
Shaking her head, Charlotte struggled to find words to express the tumult raging in her heart and mind. “I mean no offence, my lord, but surely you must be jesting. Surely, for a grown man of your years to act like a little boy whose favourite toy was taken away, there can be no other explanation.”
He laughed then, and Charlotte relaxed a little, relieved that he did not seem prone to uncontrolled fits of anger.
A frown came to her face. Was she truly considering his proposal?
“I appreciate your honesty, Miss Ferris,” he said, smiling at her in approval. “I myself tend to call a spade a spade. Titles and fortune may hide those of questionable character, but in the end, they are always revealed for who they are.”
As footsteps echoed closer, Lord Huntly rose from his seat, then stepped forward and held out his hand to her. Reluctantly, Charlotte took it and allowed him to pull her to her feet. For a long moment, his hand held hers, his thumb gently brushing over her fingers as his eyes considered hers, allowing her to see the true nature of his character.
At the closeness, the breath caught in Charlotte’s throat, and for a moment, she feared she would faint. However, somewhere in the back of her head, she recognised that no threat emanated from this man, and slowly, her hammering heart calmed down.
“Think about it,” he whispered before he released her hand and stepped back.
In the next moment, the door flew open and Miss Davenport rushed back in. “Oh, Sebastian, there you are. I haven’t seen you all day; I feared you might already have left.”
“I would not dream of it,” Lord Huntly replied, his eyes darting to Charlotte, an amused smile curling up his lips.
The rest of the day passed in a blur as Lord Huntly’s words echoed in Charlotte’s mind, Think about it.
Charlotte knew she ought to disregard his proposal without further thought, and yet, lying in bed, wide awake, she couldn’t help but do as he’d asked.
Right here, right now, her life was almost perfect. As Miss Davenport’s companion, she was well taken care of, spending her days in peace far off any resemblance of the society of London and the life she had left behind. And yet, soon it would end, leaving her with no means to support herself. She would have no roof over her head and no food in her belly. Likely, on her own, she would soon fall prey to a shadowy creature roaming the streets or end up back at Winham Institute, locked in her cell, tormented by images she couldn’t banish from her mind.
Gritting her teeth, Charlotte closed her eyes. “I can’t,” she whispered into the dark. “I can’t. It wouldn’t be right.”
Should she ever be found out, the scandal would surely ruin his family as much as it had almost ruined hers. From a conversation between two nurses, she had caught a few snippets here and there, concluding that her parents had sent her to Winham to satisfy Lord Elmridge. After killing his brother, it was not an unreasonable demand, and she could not fault him for it. However, to avoid a scandal, her parents had proclaimed her dead in an accident, knowing that she would never be released.
Realising the finality of her situation, Charlotte had retreated into a world far away from pain and regret.
Until the fire.
Now, suddenly, her life was back in her own hands, and the decision was hers.
Rolling over, Charlotte buried her face in the pillow as her hands clawed at the soft mattress in frustration. What was she to do? If she agreed to his proposal and was found out, he would never forgive her. Or would he? After all, he desired nothing more but to bring shame to his father. Maybe he would even welcome her past. At the very least, she ought to warn him about the skeletons in her closet before accepting his proposal.
Accepting his proposal? And all that it entailed?
At the thought of being Lord Huntly’s wife, images of her past resurfaced, and Charlotte swallowed as bile threatened to rise up her throat. Again, she felt Northfield’s hands on her body, his hot breath on her skin as she had struggled against him … to no avail.
Curling up into a ball of misery, Charlotte hugged her knees to her chest, shaking as the memories ravaged her soul once again. “I can’t,” she whimpered as tears streamed down her face, soaking her pillow. “I can’t.”
Chapter Twelve – A Fitting Punishment
The next morning came much too soon, and by the time Charlotte left her own chamber and headed down the hall to see to Miss Davenport, her heart and mind still ached with the situation she found herself in. While her mind encouraged her to accept Lord Huntly’s
proposal, stating that there was no alternative, her heart twisted in agony at the mere thought of it.
Entering Miss Davenport’s bedchamber, Charlotte noted that to her surprise the curtains were still drawn. “Is something wrong?” she asked the maid hurrying in after her, carrying a tray with tea and biscuits.
“Miss Davenport has taken to bed,” the maid whispered, glancing across the dimly lit room at the shadowy figure resting against a myriad of pillows.
“Is it serious?”
“No, just a cold.” Then the maid crossed the room with quiet footsteps, deposited the tray on the nightstand and poured some tea for the poor invalid.
As Charlotte approached the bed, the shadowy figure stirred. “Oh, Miss Ferris,” Miss Davenport exclaimed, her voice hoarse and lacking the exuberance it usually possessed. “I feel rather poorly. Maybe riding out in such weather was rather unwise after all.”
A gentle smile came to Charlotte’s face at the childish behaviour of her charge. “It may not have been the best of ideas,” she said, “but it was a day I’ll never forget.”
Closing her eyes, Miss Davenport smiled. “Neither shall I. I can still feel the snowflakes on my face,” she mumbled as her voice grew quieter. A moment later, she had fallen asleep, snoring slightly.
Turning to the maid, Charlotte said, “Send for me the moment she awakes,” then left the room. As she headed down the stairs, she glanced left and right, expecting Lord Ashwood to approach her. Surely, he was not pleased with his sister’s condition, most likely blaming Charlotte for allowing her to ride out in a snowstorm.
However, the man who stepped out of the drawing room, eyes fixed on her face and a teasing smile on his lips, was none other than Lord Huntly.