“As have I, Lady Charlotte.”
“Goodbye. It really has been a pleasure.”
“You need not sound so final; we shall see each other again.”
“Oh?”
“At your wedding, of course! I am really rather looking forward to it.”
“Oh, yes. Of course. I shall take my leave of you. Good day.”
Charlotte swept from the room before the tears began to flood down her cheeks. She practically ran to the front door, praying that the carriage would be ready and waiting. To her immense relief it was.
She hurled herself in, her stepmother close behind her. As the door shut, and they pulled away from the estate, Charlotte began to sob.
Chapter Thirty-One
GRANDMOTHER KNOWS BEST
“You have certainly taken your time.” His grandmother raised an eyebrow at him as Dominic walked into the room.
His heart skittered to a halt, panic flaring in his chest. He tried to keep his face nonchalant. “Pardon?”
“I expected to see you at least an hour or two ago.” The Dowager Duchess gestured to a clock on the wall.
“I was told you were engaged until now.” Dominic frowned.
“Pffft, and when has that ever stopped you before?” His grandmother waved a dismissive hand.
Dominic flushed and straightened himself. “If you are referring to that occasion when I was a boy, need I remind you that I was only ten.”
“Well, regardless, I should have thought you would see me before now.” His grandmother was idly stroking Venus, who was dozing beside her, snoring softly.
“And why is that?” Dominic asked.
His grandmother looked at him as though he were a simpleton, and Dominic felt his heart sink.Has Lady Andrea already told her? I thought I would have more time.
“Your fiancée left hours ago, did she not? I would have thought you would be here as soon as you could to make your own excuses.” The Dowager Duchess made a disgusted sound at his obvious stupidity.
Dominic felt his colour deepen and tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Ah, yes. About that…”
“I like her. You have chosen well.” The Dowager Duchess smiled at him.
“I am glad you approve.” He smiled back.Will you still approve when I tell you the truth about our arrangement?
“I am very much looking forward to your wedding. Have you given much thought as to where it will be? I notice you have not done anything like the reading of the banns, so I assume you plan to marry by special license or —”
Before his grandmother could continue on the subject of his marriage, Dominic burst out, “We are not engaged.”
There was a moment of silence, and Dominic prepared himself for his grandmother’s anger. Her face was unreadable, her tone completely neutral as she asked, “What do you mean you are not engaged?”
“I… We… Well, when I told you I was engaged at the ball… I was not being entirely truthful. I just… I wanted a chance to participate in the games,” Dominic mumbled.
“A chance at my fortune more like,” his grandmother scoffed.
“Yes,” he admitted. “And it seemed unfair I should not have such a chance just because of my status. And well, by chance Charlotte and I met, and well, we came to an agreement that suited us very well. Though I am sorry that I have lied to you.” He ran a hand through his hair, doing his best to look earnestly embarrassed and genuinely apologetic.
After all, he did regret lying to his grandmother.
