Swallowing, she flicked her gaze up to connect with his. “How will you protect Aurelia? They will slander her for her origins.”
“I will give undeniable proof that she is acknowledged. That she is loved.”
“How can you love her if you do not know her?”
“I’m sure that our relationship will build over time, but do not doubt for one second that I care for your…Ourdaughter. Even without knowing who she was, I recognized her as pure sunshine incarnate the moment I laid eyes on her. Not unlike her mother.”
Charlotte laughed. “Indeed, she is that.”
“I have a plan to protect her, and it will require only a small sacrifice on your behalf.” Leaning forward, Perry watched her as she processed his words.
A small sacrifice? She would do anything for her daughter.
“What do you suggest?” Her heart hammered in her chest in anticipation. There were few options but to trust him. Her family didn’t have the power to initiate a return to society after such a long absence. The Townsends would be shunned if she returned unwed with a child. It was unfathomable. “Though I cannot imagine what possible resolution could silence the judgment of theton. They are ruthless sharks, especially when they smell blood in the water. Trust me, I have kept up with some of the gossip mags from London and they love a good scandal.”
“I cannot completely avoid a scandal. But we can woo society into believing a love story.”
His words made no sense. How on earth would he make thetoncare about a romantic tale? A forbidden affair between two members of respectable families. A violation of not one, but two betrothal contracts and a child born out of wedlock. Charlotte flushed. It was so scandalous when laid out explicitly.
Giving her head a shake, she raised a brow in challenge. “A love story? I’m sorry, I do not follow.”
“I am the brother of a duke and of a marchioness. Once we arrive in London, we will have their full support, and they will help smooth our way into society. Being linked to them can only help us. We will strategize how to deliver the message to the gossips in the best light possible.”
“What message is that?”
“The earl has been reunited with his lost love, and they wed in haste, unable to spend one more day apart.”
Repeating the words in her mind, Charlotte gave a small gasp and locked eyes with Perry. “If that is the message, then that means we must…” Her words trailed off as she could hardly believe them. Her heart grew lighter as she watched his mouth curve into a smile.
Perry was triumphant. “We will marry immediately.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Charlotte cautioned herself not to get too excited or be deceived by his enthusiasm.
This was a ruse.
Their marriage was strategic.
Part of a plan to pave the path for a successful integration of their child into society. Over the years to come, the whispers would quieten, and by the time Aurelia was ready to be introduced and make an advantageous match, she would be seen as the daughter of an earl. Niece to a duke and marchioness. The origins of her birth would not be forgotten but tolerated. They would have more than enough for a significant dowry, and her future prospects would be much better than they currently were.
“Then you will dower her when the time comes?”
“Of course. She is my child.”
“Is she your only child?” Charlotte held her breath at the question.
“Yes, unless there are more secret children hiding in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. I have indulged in brief affairs since the death of my wife. I will not deceive you. None of those have led to any offspring.” Perry blushedat the admission.
Uncomfortable at knowing the details of his intimate life, Charlotte focused on her skirts, smoothing them out as she mused over her growing list of concerns.
“If I marry you, I will lose everything I’ve grown accustomed to in my life here at Fermoy,” she said quietly. “I’ve brought shame to both our families.”
There would be real consequences to letting her life be taken over by this strategy. She would lose the stability, the comfort, and the safety of her private world on the estate. At times, she disliked the loneliness, but what if she missed the solitude? As the Countess of Winchester, her entire life would be under the scrutiny of theton. Her clothing, her grace, the way she danced, if she laughed the correct way, or spoke with the loveliest tongue.
Pressing his lips in a tight line, Perry shook his head. “There is no shame in our friendship. I treasure the memory of the time we shared. Those were some of my happiest moments. Please allow me to right some wrongs by protecting you and our daughter with my name. It is only right.” His brows gathered as he waited for her response.
“In the past, I was left with little choice but to accept my destiny and I grew comfortable with it. Marrying you would be a complete reversal of my fortunes. What if I am shunned by society?” She could not deny that there was some risk to his proposal.
