Before either of her sisters could say anything further or ask any questions on the subject, there was a knock at the door.
“Enter,” Charlotte called.
A moment later, Charlotte’s stepmother appeared at the door. “Ah good, I see Philippa has brought you breakfast. Though I had hoped I would at least find you dressed.”
“It is my fault; I distracted her from doing so,” Evelyn said loyally, even though Charlotte had made no attempt to get ready since she had arrived.
“Well, regardless of the reason, Charlotte needs to get up,” Lady Bellmore said flatly.
“Why?” Charlotte asked.
“Because you have a visitor,” Lady Bellmore replied.
“A visitor?” Philippa looked between Charlotte and their stepmother.
“Yes. He is waiting for you in the drawing room. I shall give you fifteen minutes to get ready; that should be ample time. I suggest you make yourself presentable,” Lady Bellmore said and then swept out of the room before Charlotte could ask who was waiting for her.
Philippa and Evelyn helped Charlotte get dressed and style her hair in under fifteen minutes. As Charlotte made her way to the drawing room, she tried to work out who was waiting for her. She had a suspicion, and when her stepmother ushered her into the drawing room, it was confirmed.
Even before his familiar pine and juniper smell washed over her, she would have recognised his back.
“What are you doing here?” she blurted, not caring how impolite it was.
“It is good to see you too, Charlotte,” Dominic replied as he turned to face her.
Chapter Thirty-Three
THE PERFECT TIME
“You are here to see my daughter, I take it?” Lady Bellmore had said when she had found him at the front door.
Dominic had wanted to arrive at the estate the previous day, but he had needed to finalise things with the Marquess of Fife and take care of a few other urgent errands. He twirled his top hat in his fingers, inclining his head towards Lady Bellmore.
“Yes, I am. Is she available?” he asked, peering around Lady Bellmore, half-hoping to see Charlotte.
“That depends.” Lady Bellmore folded her arms across her chest, surveying him suspiciously.
“On what?” Dominic asked, taken aback by the frosty reception.
“On whether your intentions are honourable.” Charlotte’s stepmother gave him a neutral look.
“As honourable as they can be,” Dominic replied as solemnly as he could manage.
Charlotte’s stepmother appeared to consider this, pursing her lips thoughtfully as she said, “And what if she does not wish to speak to you?”
“I will wait here until she does. For as long as it takes, I will stand here.” Dominic gestured to the spot he was standing in.
“You are rather determined.” Lady Bellmore raised an eyebrow at him.
“I am. I will not leave until I speak to Charlotte,” he insisted, hoping that he sounded determined rather than impudent.
“Very well. You may wait in the drawing room.” Lady Bellmore gestured to an oak door on his left and turned from him.
As Dominic made his way into the drawing room, she called over her shoulder, “Oh, and Duke Verimore?”
“Yes?” he stopped, a hand on the door handle.
“If you break her heart, I will make sure you suffer.” And without another word, she turned on her heel and left Dominic to wait in the drawing room.
