A Ghost of a Chance by Kate Pearce

Author:Kate Pearce [Pearce, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance
Publisher: Kate Pearce
Published: 2019-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Edwin bathed, changed his clothes, and was informed by his valet that Charlie wished to speak to him. He found his brother in the library, sitting by the fire, staring pensively into the flames.

“Is everything all right, Charlie?” Edwin closed the door and came to sit on the other side of the fire.

“I want your advice.”

Edwin attempted to appear both welcoming and benign. “About what?”

“Letty. I want to marry her.” Charlie’s blue gaze was steady and certain. “Her parents aren’t going to like it one bit, are they?”

“Probably not.” Edwin considered his next words. “Are you quite sure about this?”

“More sure than anything else in my existence.”

“She is very beautiful.”

“I know what you are thinking, Edwin. You think she’s a pretty peahen with no sense in her head at all, but I don’t care about that. She likes me. She thinks I’m wise, and sensible, and…” Charlie shot to his feet and started to pace. “And I want to be that man for her. I want to shelter her from harm, and provide for her and our children; I want to make sure she is never made to feel stupid or silly again.” He paused and scowled down at Edwin. “Why don’t you say something?”

“Because I’m beginning to believe you really mean it.”

“Of course I do!”

Edwin slowly smiled. “Then if you wish to marry Letty, I will stand your friend. I will not, however, do all the work for you. If you really want this, Charlie, you will face our father alone.”

Charlie let out his breath and sat back down. “Thank you. I suspected you might have an inkling as to how things were going.”

Edwin nodded seriously. “Just a vague notion, yes.”

He snapped his fingers. “That’s why you’ve been keeping Vi occupied. I knew it! To give me the opportunity to get to know Letty better.” Charlie fidgeted with his signet ring. “Letty says Vi’s in love with me.”

“I don’t believe Violet would stand in the way of you marrying her half-sister if that’s what you’re asking me, Charlie.”

“I do care for Vi, Edwin, but more as a sister.” Charlie raised his head. “Do you think I should talk to her about this? Let her down gently?”

Edwin winced. “Violet is extremely intelligent. From what she has said to me, I suspect she already knows where your true affection lies.”

“I intend to ask Mr. DeLisle for Letty’s hand before we leave the castle.”

“Are you sure about that?” Edwin asked. “Would it not be better to wait until you are back in London and can approach Mr. DeLisle at his place of residence?”

“Why wait? He’s here, I’m here and, more importantly, so is Father. I suspect he’ll be more than willing to help with any negotiations.”

“She is very young.” Edwin tried to be tactful. “You have plenty of time to convince the DeLisles that your intentions and behavior are worthy of their daughter.”

Charlie flushed. “I’ve already promised Letty I’ll reform, and she believes me.”

“Of course she does. Just remember it might take longer to convince her parents of that.

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