It took Charlotte a moment to understand to what letter they were referring, and then it hit her. The events had driven the entire thing almost completely from her mind. Absently she touched where she had stowed it, taking in the anger on Dominic’s face.How many drafts did he write? Why did he write it?
“None at all, but you should have expected people to poke around in your affairs. I mean, it is clear you did, given the other letters you left to be found,” Lady Andrea pointed out. “Surely you should be grateful! After all, sharing that letter only furthered the lie you have been telling.”
“You had no right to do that.” Dominic took a step towards Lady Andrea, his face thunderous.
To her credit, Lady Andrea did not back down. “I hardly think you are in any position to tell me what I can and cannot do. You do not hold the moral high ground.”
“But why were you rootling through the rubbish in the first place?” Charlotte asked, sensing that they were in dangerous waters and having no desire to add to the situation.
“I had my suspicions about the two of you and the story you were telling. I wanted to see if I was correct,” Lady Andrea said looking from Dominic to Charlotte.
“What suspicions?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow.I thought we had been careful — even my stepmother believed us.
“Well, something about some of the things you have said did not make sense. Of course, a courtship conducted by letters explained some of it but not everything.” Lady Andrea began to tick things off on her fingers. “Everyone knows the Duke is a notorious rake, and to turn up at this event with a hitherto unknown fiancée was somewhat outlandish to begin with.
“Then of course, we have the fact that you had apparently not danced much if at all. Rather unusual, even with your long-distance courtship. Additionally, one has to wonder why you would keep such a courtship a secret, even if it was long distance. Especially if it was long distance, surely you would want people to know you were promised to one another.” Lady Andrea shook her head. “Your story did not make sense to me, and though you two seem rather more comfortable in each other’s company now, you did not when we first arrived.”
“So you went rifling through our rubbish? A rather desperate act, do you not think?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow at her, hoping that she sounded disdainful rather than fearful.I should have dealt with them myself; if you want something done properly, do it yourself.
“Perhaps. But I would say it has paid off. After all, the letters helped me convince your maid that I was in on the entire plot, and she told me everything.” Lady Andrea grinned. “For what it is worth, she refused until I showed her them — so I would not punish her for her indiscretion.”
Dominic swore under his breath, and Charlotte clenched her fist. Her chest constricted, and she felt as though all air had been sucked from the room.
“If you know everything, then why have you not told everyone already? Why the charade?” Dominic’s voice sounded far away, and Charlotte forced herself to focus on it.
“Yes, why have you stayed your hand? You have made it quite clear you wish to win these games. Surely, revealing our secret would be in your best interest.” Charlotte frowned at Lady Andrea.
“I may be ruthless, but I am not heartless, despite what some people claim.” Lady Andrea’s face contorted, and Charlotte caught a glimmer of pain across her face. “You have both been nothing but kind and decent to me, and while I may not always understand your actions, I have no wish to cause either of you harm. But I cannot allow you to continue in this competition.”
“Why not?” Charlotte asked, feeling genuine curiosity as she surveyed the woman.What is she hiding?
“Because I need to win. And you two have been my closest competitors.” Another flash of pain and determination crossed Lady Andrea’s face.
Charlotte shook her head, unable to see what would force someone to such extreme actions. “But why, why do you need to win so badly?”
“It is the only choice I have if I wish to remain unwed and free.” Lady Andrea scowled.
Charlotte’s chest constricted as Lady Andrea’s eyes met her own. She could see the same powerlessness and frustration that she herself had felt many times.
“Come now, surely marriage would not be the worst fate to befall you?” Dominic frowned.
Charlotte sighed and turned to face him at the same time as Lady Andrea did. She gave him the frank look that she reserved for her sisters whenever they said something utterly ridiculous or naïve.
He coloured slightly and took a step back, raising his hands in the air in a sign of surrender. “What? I was only saying that marriage is hardly the worst thing in the world.”
“It is easy enough for a man to have such sentiments. After all, you have far more choice in the matter, and your freedom remains largely intact after you are wed.” Lady Andrea waived a dismissive hand.
“Not entirely,” Dominic pointed out. “An unhappy wife can ruin a man’s life. Why, I know several men who have had their wives make their lives a living hell!”
“That is as may be, but it does not mean that men lose their freedom in the same way that women do. Men do not become their wife’s property, not in law anyway.” Charlotte clenched her jaw. “You are free to act as you will, and you are far less at the mercy of your wife’s whims than she is at the mercy of her husbands.”
“But surely, if you have a decent husband that is of no concern?” Dominic insisted.
“If you have a decent husband, yes. But what guarantee does anyone have of such a thing?” Lady Andrea chewed on her bottom lip.
“Well, one would hope you would find a good match while courting.” Dominic rubbed his arms, looking self-conscious.
“That is assuming you want a match at all. And even if you do want a match, that is assuming that you have seen the truth of the man in your courtship. It is far too easy to be caught up in pretty words and prettier lies.” Charlotte gave Dominic a look, hoping it would remind him of her own tale of betrayal by a rake.
