Chapter One
Page 8
Giving the missive to her maid to take downstairs, Charlotte looked about her new home and for the first time in an age, felt content. A feeling she could get used to, she was sure. Dinner arrived at seven and just as Charlotte was about to sit down at her small dining table, a knock sounded on her door.
Moments later, Amelia strolled into her suite, dressed in a high wasted green silk gown, her visage one of merriment. No doubt, Charlotte mused due, to her change in circumstance.
“I came as soon as I heard your news.” Amelia joined her at table and nodded for some wine. “Lord Remmick would not leave, I gather?”
“He refused and threatened me not to do anything stupid.” Charlotte paused. “It was time I stood up for myself and so I left.”
“Does he know?”
A shiver raced down Charlotte’s spine imagining how angry James would become when he found her gone. The poor staff would brunt most of his ire before he’d think to look for her. Not that she hoped he would. “Not yet,” she said.
Amelia frowned and played with a diamond necklace about her neck. “You think he’ll seek revenge in some way or make you return to him?”
Charlotte stood, no longer feeling hungry. “Of course he will. He’ll probably demand I return home. But I won’t, not under any circumstance. He can have my money and my reputation. I don’t care anymore. Since being with Lord Helsing, I’ve remembered what it is like to be alive again. How to love and be loved. I can never go back to James.”
“You’re in love with Lord Helsing.”
It wasn’t a question and Charlotte started at her friend’s disclosure. “I am.” And she was, more than anything in the world. Just the thought of Mason made her smile, her body heat and her heart sing. He was her everything and because he was so, she had to let him go. “But it doesn’t matter as James will never divorce me and therefore my feelings for Mason are of no consequence. There is no future for us. He must marry and beget an heir. Something, that if you haven’t noticed I’ve been unable to do for my husband.
“When it comes to Lord Remmick I cannot find fault for your inability to bear children, Charlotte.” Amelia paused. “It is possible that the problem to have children lies with Lord Remmick and not you at all, dearest.”
“Perhaps,” Charlotte said, yet her two miscarriages which she’d told no one about made the problem seem all the more hers than anyone else. She pushed the distressing memory aside and sat on a chaise lounge. “I’ve told Lord Helsing he has to leave me alone and marry someone else. Thankfully, Rose has moved her attentions elsewhere, which I’m happy about.”
“Where is Rose?” Amelia said, looking about the room.
“Aunt May arrived yesterday and they’ve gone to stay with her sister in law on Jermyn Street. I thought it only right to let my family know of my change of circumstance and Aunt May thought it best if Rose was distanced from me.”
Amelia gasped and clasped her hand. “I’m so sorry, Charlotte. They do not understand what it would be like to live in such a distressing marital circumstance. I’m proud of you for leaving Lord Remmick. And as you know, Lord Furrow and I will always be ready to help you should you need anything.”
Charlotte nodded and pulled her best friend into a hug. “I know and I thank you.”
Amelia laughed. “You’re very welcome.”
Chapter Thirteen
It took a week for James to locate her. Charlotte stepped from Grillon’s Hotel and breathed in the warm spring air before turning left and heading down Piccadilly. Her father had sent her some funds a few days ago and finally she was wholly independent from her husband.
The only blemish on her happiness was that Lord Helsing had not tried to seek her out either. And although Amelia had said he’d asked after her health at engagements she attended, Charlotte, did not understand why he never just asked outright where she was.
The memory of the lovemaking assailed her and along with it came excitement tinged with hurt. Did he not care or had he decided that her decree for him to marry another was right and had decided to act on it? What a silly fool she’d been. And yet...
“Charlotte!”
She stopped and looked across the street and spied James weaving his way through the local traffic. Anger all but thrummed along every line of his body and fear curdled in her stomach. Charlotte looked around, noted the many people about, and took some solace in the fact he wouldn’t dare touch her on a public street.
Yet, his furious glare could prove her wrong.
“You will return to whatever hovel you’re living, pack your things and return home immediately. How dare you make me a laughing matter for the ton of London?”
“Married couples live apart all the time. Our circumstances need not be any different.” Charlotte lowered her voice. “And I will not return home, not under any circumstances.”
“You bloody well will,” he said, his tone laced with menace.
“I will not.”
Out of nowhere, James hit her with his small walking cane. Charlotte put up her arm to fend off another strike when he raised his arm once more, yet the cane never came back down. She looked up and watched with awe as Mason broke the cane over her husband’s back and threw him against a shop wall.
Never had Mason wanted to kill a man as much as he wished to kill Lord Remmick right at this moment. Having seen Charlotte on the street, he’d watched her stroll along the shop windows, her ease and happiness not something he’d seen glowing from her eyes since being back in London. But that had all changed the moment her brutal husband had seen her and taken her in hand. Literally.
He squeezed the filthy mongrel’s throat and relished his fight for air. “If I ever see you come within an inch of Lady Remmick again I’ll kill you. Do I make myself clear?” Mason released his windpipe a fraction so he could answer.
“She’s my wife,” Lord Remmick managed to gasp.
“Not anymore. From this day forward she isn’t. Don’t look for her and don’t ever think that I don’t know people who could make your disappearance seem like an accident,” Mason said through clenched teeth. “Do I make myself clear?”
Lord Remmick tried to push him away and the urge to make the bastard pay assailed him. He stepped back a fraction then slammed his fist into his lordships gut before doing the same against his jaw. Charlotte’s husband’s head snapped back and hit the brick wall behind him before he slumped to the ground, unconscious.”
Mason turned to Charlotte and pulled her back toward her hotel. “Are you all right?” he asked, trying to gauge her mood.
“I am, thank you.” She stopped walking and Mason turned to her, wondering what she was thinking. She cast a quick look toward her husband and he noted her slight shiver. He wanted to pull her into his arms and show her that he’d never allow anything to happen to her. Neither by Lord Remmick’s hand nor by anyone else’s. If only she’d let him.
“Thank you Mason.” Tears welling in her beautiful blue orbs. “You’re my knight in shining armor.”
“Always, Charlotte. Surely you know that by now,” he said.
She nodded. “Did you mean what you said back there? That you’ll protect me forever?”
“Yes. I know you think there is no future for us but you’re wrong. As I said before, my brother is more than capable of keeping the family name and property in our rightful hands. I’m old enough to decide what I would like to do in my life. And that is to be with you. Come away with me. We’ll move to the continent or New York. Start a new life where no one knows us.”
She bit her lip and Mason felt like his heart would pump right out of his chest. Never had a reply mattered as much as Charlotte’s did now.
“Yes. I’ll go with you. Wherever you wish, just as long as we’re together.”
Mason smiled. “I love you Charlotte King.”
Charlotte leant toward him and wrapped her arms about his neck. “I love you too,” she said, kissing him.
Mason allowed the embrace to deepen and cared
not a fig what anyone watching thought or said about their actions. From tonight, they would be on board the fastest ship to wherever they decided to go and London and its tonnish ideals – no one could ever live up to – could well and truly go to the devil.
Epilogue
Two Years Later – New York
Charlotte threw the letter she’d received from her father, which had been accompanied by one from her late husband’s solicitors and realized that she felt nothing but relief.
Mason walked into her parlor carrying their one month old daughter and a love so true filled her heart. True to his word, Mason had kept her safe and out of Lord Remmick’s clutches and by doing so, they’d lived a life she’d never thought possible. Mason passed Lily to her and Charlotte kissed her beautiful little girl’s pudding cheeks.
“What did the letter say,” he asked, shuffling through the pages.
“Lord Remmick is dead. Was killed in some alley in East London. The solicitor wasn’t very forthcoming in details but I’m sure you can imagine what happened.”
Mason shook his head and came to sit beside her. “So I suppose we’ll have to make you a lady again?”
Charlotte threw him a puzzled frown, wondering what he was talking about. “Excuse me?”
“Now that you’re a widow, perhaps you’d prefer to be named a bride instead?”
Charlotte clasped his stubbled jaw and smiled. “Are you by any chance asking me to marry you, Lord Helsing?”
Mason took Lily onto his knee and turned their daughter to face Charlotte. “What do you think, Lily? Should Mama agree to marry Papa do you think?”
Charlotte laughed and kissed him quickly. “Of course I’ll marry you. I love you.”
“I love you more.”
She shook her head, knowing such a thing could not be possible, but they could argue about that later. In bed. Tonight.
~ Please consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads ~
~ Look for these titles from Tamara Gill ~
Now Available
A Marriage Made in Mayfair
Coming Soon
An Unfortunate Alliance
Scandalous Series – Novella Two
A Marriage Made in Mayfair
A MARRIAGE MADE IN MAYFAIR
Miss Suzanna March wished for one thing: the elusive, rakish charmer, Lord Danning. But after a frightful first season such dreams are impossible. That is until she returns to London, a new woman, and one who will not let the ton's dislike of her stand in her way of gaining what she wants: revenge on the Lord who gave her the cut direct…
Lord Danning, unbeknown to his peers, is in financial strife and desperate to marry an heiress. Such luck would have it Miss Suzanna March fits all his credentials and seduction in his plan of action. Yes, the woman who returned from Paris is stronger, defiant, and a little argumentative, but it does not stop Lord Danning finding himself in awe and protective of her.
But will Suzanna fall for such pretty words from a charmer? Or will Lord Danning prove to Suzanna and himself that she is more than his ticket out of debtor's prison...?
ABOUT THE
Author
Tamara Gill's love of history started from an early age, but her reading of romance novels only began when home on maternity leave with her second son. Her writing career started as a hobby but soon turned into an obsession that is still going strong. Member of Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, South Australian Romance Authors and The Beau Monde keep her occupied and focused on her craft and the changing trends of readers. Tamara lives in the beautiful Mid North of South Australia and enjoys hearing from readers and writers alike.
www.tamaragillromanceauthor.com
graph-definition>
Facebook
graph-definition>
Twitter
graph-definition>
Goodreads