“No, I will not,” Charlotte continued, seeing the confusion on her sister’s face. “I will have enough money that I will never have to marry any man. Once we have won these… ‘games’, everything will be perfect.”
“But what of your reputation? If you break off the engagement, won’t you be ruined?” Philippa bit her bottom lip.
“With that kind of money, I will have no need to worry about my own reputation.” Charlotte saw the worry on her sisters faces. “And do not worry, we will not break off the engagement until you are both safely married. After which, the Duke and I will go our separate ways.”
“But what if you fall in love?” Evelyn pouted her lips thoughtfully.
Charlotte snorted. “Pfffft. Believe you me, my darling Evelyn, there is no chance that such a thing will occur.”
“Why not? He seemed rather nice when we were dancing.” Evelyn frowned.
“He is a rake.” Charlotte let distaste colour her words. A memory threatened to swim to the forefront of her mind, but she forced it away. “They always seem nice at first, but that is all it is. It is all some illusion. Believe you me, they are charming, interesting, but they are not to be relied on.”
“But how do you know he is a rake?” Philippa asked.
“It is his reputation. Such things are rarely unearned,” Charlotte answered.
“But they can be disproportionate. Perhaps he is not as bad as they make him out to be,” Evelyn said reasonably.
Charlotte waved her hand dismissively. “Regardless, I do not plan on falling in love. This is purely a matter of duty.”
“Of duty? To who?” Philippa looked at Eveyln, who seemed just as confused as she was.
“To you, of course, both of you. I swore to mother on her deathbed that I would do all I could to keep you safe. And I will honour that vow until my dying day.” Charlotte took both their hands in hers and looked into their eyes, willing them to see how seriously she meant her words.
The door to the bedroom burst open, and they all jumped, whirling around. Before them stood their stepmother, frowning suspiciously at them.
“What are you three plotting?” Lady Bellmore asked.
“Why do you assume we are plotting? Not all of us are as politically inclined as you,motherdearest.” Charlotte stepped between her sisters and their stepmother.
Lady Bellmore rolled her eyes. “Are you this combative with your intended?”
“Perhaps he likes a little fighting spirit.” Charlotte smiled sweetly.
“Or perhaps you reserve such delightful behaviour for me.” Lady Bellmore tilted her head to survey Philippa and Evelyn’s hair, adjusting strands here and there.
“I suppose we shall never know.” Charlotte folded her arms across her chest.
“Perhaps not. Regardless, we must make the most of this opportunity. Matches like this are practically a once in a lifetime occurrence, and the fact you have secured such a match, well… that is good news for all of us.” Lady Bellmore adjusted Evelyn’s necklace, frowned, and then replaced it with a pearl one.
“For all of us?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow, watching Lady Bellmore like a hawk.
“Of course, the success of you girls is a reflection on your father and of course, me.” Lady Bellmore turned away from Evelyn and Philippa to face Charlotte. “While I had prepared myself to suffer the indignity of my oldest stepchild remaining a perpetual spinster, I must say I prefer this turn of events. And you are to be married to a duke!”
“Careful mother, that sounds dangerously close to a compliment.” Charlotte smiled daggers.
“Perhaps you deserve one. It is something to be celebrated, securing such a prestigious match.” Lady Bellmore pursed her lips, reached towards Charlotte, and then clearly thought better of it, instead smoothing out her own skirts. “The women at the bridge club will be beside themselves with jealousy. My daughter, the unmarriable Charlotte, has won the heart of the ton’s most elusive bachelor.”
Charlotte knew the woman had long given up trying to control her, but the thought of Charlotte’s marriage (fake as it might be) bringing her stepmother some kind of societal standing was irksome to say the least.
She was unable to keep the sarcasm from her voice as she said, “Yes, that is the point of my marriage. So that you can brag to all your friends about it. I thought you taught us that humility is a virtue.”
“It is hardly bragging.” Lady Bellmore gestured dismissively as she said, “Simply stating a fact. After all, youareengaged to the ton’s most elusive bachelor. If that fact happens to cause a little stir amongst the members of the ton, well, who am I to tell others how to feel?”
“Oh, you would not dream of doing such a thing.” Charlotte shook her head.
“I assume you will be changing before dinner.” Her stepmother gestured towards Charlotte. “Though you are leaving it rather late.”
