The Duke's Challenge by Fenella J Miller

Author:Fenella J Miller
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-10-17T21:00:00+00:00

Dear Lord Thurston,

It is with deep regret that I find I can no longer agree to become your wife. I wish to be released forthwith from our engagement. I shall remove myself and my brother and sister from Thurston Hall as soon as I can make suitable, alternative arrangements.

Yours sincerely,

Charlotte Carstairs, Miss.

She read it through a second time. It would have to do. She sprinkled sand the wet ink and then folded it. She had no sealing wax so tied it neatly with a red ribbon. She rang the brass bell and her maid appeared.

‘Please take this down to Meltham. Ask him to hand it to his grace, but do not, under any circumstances, deliver it yourself, is that clear?’

‘Yes, Miss Carstairs.’

Charlotte handed her the square of paper, her heart heavy. She had done the right thing, had been given no choice in the matter, for a loveless marriage was worse than no marriage at all. Whatever he said about ‘business arrangements’ she wanted none of it. Unless he told her he loved her she would not marry him. She snorted inelegantly, knowing that was as likely as snow in July.

Her small ormolu mantle clock chimed the hour. Good gracious! Was it only eleven o’clock? How could so much have happened in just an hour? She decided to go down to the kitchen, Betty would find her something to eat, and surrounded by servants she was fairly sure she would be safe.

If Jack managed to find her alone he was quite capable of charming her into changing her mind. She paused on the gallery, checking the hall was empty. Had the butler delivered the letter yet? Was he about to erupt from his chambers in search of her?

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