A Brooding Christmas Promise: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Forbes Sally

Author:Forbes, Sally
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“What happened?”

Charlotte managed to smile as a cup of tea was pressed into her hands. “I am quite all right, Amelia. You need not hover.”

Amelia, who had been at Charlotte’s elbow ever since Lord Crestwood had ushered her back into the house with a murmur about Lady Foster, finally sat down though her eyes were fixed to Charlotte.

“It was Lady Foster,” Charlotte said, quietly. “Lord Crestwood and I were returning to the carriage but she was there waiting for me, ready to rail at my choice to engage myself to Lord Crestwood.”

“Obviously, she does not know it is a pretence,” Lord Crestwood stated, coming to sit beside Charlotte though Charlotte presumed it was simply because the couch was close to the fire and he could warm himself. “However, she was very angry indeed.”

“I am sorry.” Amelia let out a sigh and closed her eyes. “What are we to do?”

“It is not that which upset me,” Charlotte said, pausing to sip her tea and let the warmth push through her. A slight tremble ran through her frame, right down to the tips of her fingers, and she set the teacup down with a slight clatter. “She was very angry, as Lord Crestwood has said, but as she was throwing harsh words at me, she said something which gave me pause.” Another breath, another sip of her tea and, closing her eyes, Charlotte finally managed to repeat them. “She said, ‘You cannot! It must be this way, or else she will lose – ” and then came to a sudden stop.” She opened her eyes to see Amelia frowning. “She was speaking of our stepmother, I am sure, but once she stopped herself from saying anything more, she turned on her heel and took her leave.”

“In a most abrupt manner,” Lord Crestwood added, just as Lord Hesterway came into the room to join them. “I did not understand what happened.”

Charlotte swallowed hard, lacing her fingers in her lap. “I am sure that she stopped herself from saying something she ought not to have said. In saying, “it must be this way, else she will lose,” it is clear to me that there is a reason behind my request to remain unwed.”

Lord Hesterway frowned. “Who said this?”

“Lady Foster,” Amelia replied, quickly explaining what had happened to her husband. “But Charlotte, what possible reason could there be? Father’s will stated that it was only to keep Lady Barcsay company, so that she would never be alone. Could it be that this was what she meant? That Lady Barcsay would lose your company?”

No-one spoke for some time but Charlotte’s heart fluttered within her, telling her that there was something more here, something that she did not yet fully understand.

“To my mind, that does not make sense,” Lord Crestwood said, eventually. “Forgive me for sharing my opinion when it is not my matter but it seems to me that saying that Lady Barcsay would lose Charlotte’s company would not be something that would be snapped back as it was.

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