“But this time, there is so much more at stake,” Roswell said.
Before he could respond, Emma, Ellie, and his mother stepped into the room, curious looks on their faces.
His mother spoke first. “You sent for us?”
Charles downed his drink and put the empty glass back on the drink cart. “I did,” he replied. “I wanted to inform you that I am engaged to Miss Henrietta.”
Emma clasped her hands together. “That is wonderful news!” she squealed. “I adore Henrietta!”
“You have made a fine choice,” his mother said. “Henrietta comes from an impressive family and is quite lovely.”
“Thank you,” he replied. “I secured a special license, so we will be wed at once.”
“Why not wait and post the banns?” his mother asked.
Charles winced. “I am afraid it is not quite that simple,” he replied. “Henrietta’s cousin was trying to force her into marriage and was caught in her bedchamber. It is only a matter of time before thetoncatches wind of it.”
Emma gasped. “That is awful!”
“It is,” Charles agreed, “which is why I offered for her.”
Silence descended over the room. Finally, his mother spoke up. “Is that the only reason you offered for her?”
“No,” he replied. “I have come to realize that I am falling in love with her.”
A smile came to his mother’s lips. “I am pleased to hear that.”
Ellie walked over to Roswell and exchanged an affectionate look with him. “You are marrying a girl who will be shrouded in scandal,” she warned as she faced Charles.
“I am well aware, but I cannot change that,” Charles said.
His mother nodded. “We shall rally around Henrietta and show everyone that we wholeheartedly support this union. With any luck, the scandal will be short-lived.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Charles acknowledged.
She tipped her head in acknowledgment. “I shall ask Mrs. Noelle to prepare for Henrietta’s arrival.”
After his mother departed from the study, Emma came closer to him and said, “I knew that you and Henrietta would suit brilliantly.”
“You did?”
Emma smiled victoriously. “That is why I suggested you form a pretend attachment with her. I had hoped it would turn into a real one, which it did,” she remarked, “much quicker than I had even anticipated.”
He gave her an amused look. “I hadn’t realized that you were playing matchmaker.”
“Lady Berkshire may have taught me a thing or two,” Emma remarked with a twinkle in her eye.
Charles turned his attention towards Ellie. “You must have some questions for me,” he said.
She shook her head. “Roswell informed me of your plans with Miss Henrietta, and we were betting on how long it would take before you were engaged.”
“Is that so?” Charles asked.
Roswell nodded. “Ellie and I don’t have secrets between us,” he shared.
Emma glanced curiously between them. “Who won the bet?”
“I did,” Ellie replied with a smile. “Roswell was insistent that Charles wouldn’t rush into marriage, but I had my doubts.”
