Three Schemes and a Scandal by Maya Rodale

Author:Maya Rodale
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2012-09-30T21:00:00+00:00

Hamilton House

The Corridor

Hand in hand, James and Charlotte dashed through the halls, dodging groups of guests who eagerly ventured to the east drawing room, or the library or God only knew where for the reading of The Hare Raising Adventures of George Coney (which did not exist) by George Coney (who was presently locked in Charlotte’s closet). It was mayhem at Hamilton House.

He had another destination in mind.

“Where are you taking me?” Charlotte asked breathlessly.

He skidded to a stop on the marble floor.

“I’m not quite sure,” he said. “That is, I know where I want to take you but not exactly how to get there. This house is insanely large.”

Charlotte nodded with understanding.

“Once we discovered a family of gypsies living in the north wing. They had been there for a fortnight before discovery,” she said gravely.

“And how did they end up there?” James asked with a lift of his brow.

“I couldn’t very well let them starve on the streets in a blizzard, now could I?” she replied with a sweet smile and shrug of her shoulders.

“Promise me …” he said, and then he stopped.

“Promise you what?”

It was too soon for promises like that, for one thing.

“Harriet! You’re supposed to be …” James said and he stopped himself again before he revealed their secret destination and when he saw that Harriet was in quite a state.

“What is wrong? Why are you crying?” Charlotte asked, clasping her friend’s hand.

“I couldn’t find Charlotte anywhere!” Harriet sobbed. “And I looked, and then I couldn’t remember which room because of my and … oh! Did I miss it?”

The trio glanced curiously at each other. Harriet was particularly focused on James’s hand. Holding Charlotte’s.

“Miss what?” Charlotte asked, clearly suspicious.

“Um, the reading?” Harriet ventured.

“The reading? Ah yes, the reading by George Coney the rabbit who is currently locked in my dressing closet,” Charlotte said. “That very one?”

“The reading has not started yet,” James said confidently. Then he winked at Harriet so everything was very clear.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Harriet said, heaving a sigh. “I couldn’t remember if it was in the east drawing room or the west drawing room. Then I thought it might be in the library after all.”

“What, the reading?” Charlotte asked, but everyone ignored her. It was easiest, given the magnitude of the secret they only had to keep for approximately four more minutes.

“Let’s go,” he said confidently. Then he led Charlotte off down the hall. Harriet followed.

“So it’s the east drawing room then,” Charlotte said, and he turned around and the two ladies followed wordlessly. The house was just too large.

This observation was reaffirmed when, finally, four minutes later they stood before the heavy double oak doors leading to the west drawing room.

Harriet peeked through the keyhole.

“Yes, this is it,” she confirmed.

“It’s what?” Charlotte asked, starting to sound very exasperated now.

“See for yourself,” James said, hoping he sounded normal when in fact he was nervous. This wasn’t just a scheme, it was a proposal.

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