All heads turned toward the speaker, a Mrs. Darrow, Henry thought, whose daughter—he couldn’t remember the girl’s name—had taken every opportunity to flutter her eyelashes in his direction for the past four days.
Henry bowed to her and managed a polite smile, though his patience was wearing thin. “There are still other gentlemen present who may be in search of a wife, Mrs. Darrow. The ball tomorrow night will go ahead as planned. I see no reason why anyone should feel their time here has been wasted.”
That earned him a few reluctant nods, though none from Mrs. Darrow herself.
Breakfast was finally served, though the atmosphere in the room had shifted. He could feel eyes on his back and hear whispers exchanged behind napkins. Charlotte took her place at the table, composed but pale, and he noticed the way she kept her gaze fixed on her plate. He knew all of this attention and gossiping would be painful for her.
His mother sat beside him and leaned in. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I would’ve liked a private word before you told the entire county.”
“It wasn’t exactly planned this way,” Henry muttered, hoping she didn’t probe any further and suspect something was amiss.
“Well, I’m pleased,” she said. “More than pleased. I’ll speak to Lady Fitzgerald today. We must begin planning the engagement dinner.”
Henry made a vague noise of agreement, but his eyes were elsewhere. Across the table, two of the unmarried women were watching Charlotte with unmistakable disdain, gossiping to each other behind their gloved fingers. Charlotte, to her credit, ignored them. He was proud of her for that.
Still, a protective instinct rose in his chest, and he had to remind himself that there was little he could do in the middle of breakfast. If anyone dared say anything cruel to her, however, he was more than happy to put them straight. Now he no longer had to hide his feelings for her or appease the others.
When the meal finally ended, he checked in with Charlotte to ensure she was well, then stood and made his way toward his study, craving a moment’s quiet before the inevitable questions and congratulations the day would now bring.
He didn’t get it.
William caught up with him just before he reached the door.
“Well,” William said as they stepped inside the room. “That was quite the breakfast announcement.”
Henry shut the door behind them. “Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting anything,” William said, dropping into a chair like he owned the place. “I’m merely expressing sympathy. You’ve quite set the cat among the pigeons at this party, and all before luncheon.”
Henry gave him a flat look, though his irritation was beginning to ease. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like that.”
“I gathered. But it’s done now. You may as well enjoy the show.”
At least William seemed to have thoroughly accepted the situation. Henry was relieved not to have lost his friend over this. There had been a few horrible moments during the past days when he had thought he would.
He poured himself a glass of water and leaned against the sideboard. “I’ll enjoy it once we’ve figured out who’s threatening to upend my entire life.”
William sobered. “Right. That.”
Henry ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not that I regret it. I don’t. But that wasn’t how I wanted everyone to find out.”
William smirked faintly. “No, I imagine you had something slightly more dignified in mind.”
Henry sighed. “Just a little.”
There was a beat of silence before William said, more seriously, “We’ll sort this out. The blackmailer. The chaos. All of it. Just hold steady.”
Henry nodded slowly. “I hope so. Because for once, I’d really like to have something that’s mine. Something that isn’t tangled up in secrets.”
William didn’t smile. He was staring at the carpet by the door. “What is that? We missed it coming in.” The tone of William’s voice told Henry exactly what his friend had seen before he even looked and confirmed that another message had been pushed under the door.
He frowned and stooped, plucking up the envelope. There was no seal, no name on the front. Just a hurriedly folded note inside.
William peered over his shoulder, his mouth a grim line. “Another anonymous letter?”
Henry didn’t answer. He unfolded the note and scanned the lines. His stomach dropped like a stone.
Break off your engagement to Lady Charlotte immediately. If you don’t, your secret will be made public knowledge.
