The Make-Believe Widow by Darcy Burke

Author:Darcy Burke [Burke, Darcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781637261170
Publisher: Zealous Quill Press

The final full day of the party had been one of the most blissful that Charlotte could recall. Breakfast had brought the announcement of the betrothal between Lord Audlington and Mrs. Sheldon. It wasn’t terribly surprising since they had seemed to become a pair since their blindman’s buff kiss, which Charlotte had heard about from several people.

Charlotte hoped that she and Roth had managed to keep their affair secret over the course of the day and throughout the ball, which had lasted quite late. Indeed, the only thing that had broken up the festivities was the fact that they would all be leaving today. And now everyone had gone except for Roth and Charlotte, who’d kept to their plan of being the last to depart so that no one would see them leaving together.

Before they left, however, Cecilia had invited Charlotte to her sitting room so they could spend a few last minutes together. Charlotte walked into the bright, cheerful space on the ground floor. It was more intimate than the drawing room, and indeed, Cecilia looked more relaxed than Charlotte had seen her over the past week. Perhaps because she was reclining on a chaise longue.

Upon seeing Charlotte, Cecilia sat up. “Pardon me, I’m afraid that I find myself exhausted now that everyone has gone. Well, everyone but you and Roth.” She smiled warmly and stood, crossing to Charlotte. Taking Charlotte’s hand, Cecilia gave her a squeeze. “I’m so very pleased for you.”

Cecilia, of course, knew the truth about Charlotte and Roth. It had been necessary to disclose their affair since Charlotte was no longer in need of one of the Cosford coaches to return her to Birmingham.

“Thank you, but this is a temporary…liaison.”

“Can you sit for a moment?” Cecilia asked, pivoting toward the settee. At Charlotte’s nod, they moved to sit down. “There’s always a chance you may change your minds before you reach Hereford. And if not, well, what happens then? Do you simply forget about one another?”

Charlotte would never forget about Roth or their time together, however brief it would be. “We go our separate ways, cherishing our new memories.”

Cecilia did not appear convinced. She gave Charlotte a thoroughly skeptical look, her brow arched high in question. “You may yet fall in love. Then what will you do?”

“We will not.” Charlotte would not. And even if she did, there was nothing to be done for it. “Our connection is primarily physical, and it will run its course by the time we reach Hereford.” And if it did not, they would simply have to manage their lingering passion.

“I’ve known Roth longer than you. If he falls for you, beware of his skills of persuasion.” Cecilia gave her a saucy wink.

Charlotte could well imagine. As much as she loved Cecilia, Charlotte needed to put a stop to whatever ideas or hopes she had about a permanent match between them. “He won’t because I am not what he wants. He is searching for a mother for his daughters, and I have no desire to take on that role.

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