“What do you imagine she might agree to? The Dowager Duchess does not really strike me as the type of woman who can be talked into things.” Charlotte chewed on her bottom lip.
“But you forget how charming I am,” Dominic replied, trying to sound light and jovial, but his words fell flat. “Grandmother has always been fond of me.”
“She does not seem to have a particular tolerance for lying.” Charlotte frowned.
“No, she does not. Though I am hopeful I might be able to explain things to her.”Perhaps it is not too late to be honest.Dominic began to pace.
“Should we go together? We could plead our case as one,” Charlotte asked.
Dominic shook his head. He suspected his grandmother would be somewhat angry and had no desire to subject Charlotte to the sharp end of her tongue. Besides, there was a chance she would see the two of them together as some attempt to continue their deception.
“I do not think that would be wise.” Dominic explained, “It would be best if I did this alone though I will need time to prepare what I will say.”
“And what should I do?” Charlotte asked.
“I think it would be best if you returned to London,” Dominic said, once more thinking of how harsh his grandmother could be when angry and wanting to spare Charlotte the pain.
“Oh.” Charlotte shook her head. “I thought…”
“You thought?” Dominic canted his head towards her, trying to work out the expression on her face.
“It does not matter.” She turned from him and began to walk towards the door.
Without thinking, he reached for her, grabbing her arm. She looked back at him, and he saw a cool expression on her face. “What do you think you are doing?”
“I wanted to know what you thought.” He let go of her arm but did not look away from her.
“I have already told you it does not matter.” Charlotte moved away from him, shaking her head
“Please, Charlotte, do not shut me out.”
“It was just me being silly, that is all. You need not concern yourself. I had just… I had not expected that you would ask me to leave.” Charlotte smiled, but it looked brittle to Dominic. “I will take my leave of you and return to London this afternoon.”
“This afternoon?” He felt as though the air had left his lungs.
He thought he saw her stiffen slightly, but she turned from him and did not look back at him. Instead, she continued her walk towards the door.
“There is no sense in waiting.” Charlotte’s voice seemed cool and distant.
“I suppose not.” Dominic half reached towards her and then drew his hand back to his chest, hugging it close.
“I shall, of course, speak to the Dowager Duchess before I leave and make my excuses.” Her hand was on the doorknob. “Goodbye, Dominic.”
“Goodbye, Charlotte,” Dominic replied as the door shut behind her.
Their words to each other seemed strangely final, and Dominic felt an urge to run after her, but he did not. She had clearly told him what she wanted.
“I will make this right; somehow, I will give you the life you deserve,” he vowed.
Though he had no idea how he was going to do such a thing.
Chapter Thirty
THE RETURN HOME
“Wherever have you been? I have been looking all over for you and —” Her stepmother stopped speaking as she caught a proper glimpse of Charlotte, her eyes going wide in alarm. “Charlotte? Charlotte! My goodness, what has happened?”
Charlotte tried to brush Lady Bellmore away. She could only guess how awful she looked. Her eyes felt swollen and puffy, and no doubt, her cheeks were stained with tears.
