Page 19 of To Woo a Wicked Widow

Fanny spoke up. “Drinks like a fish. Was in his cups last night so deep he couldn’t remember my name. Kept calling me Sally.”

“There’s no drinking at Almack’s.”

“I attended a private function last evening, but the man had been drinking before he arrived at any rate. Pickled as a herring.”

Edgar shook his head, looking at the faces surrounding him. “You were all accosted by bounders?”

Fanny nodded gravely. “There are so many rogues out there, Sir Edgar. At the end of the Season, all the decent gentlemen have already become betrothed.”

Charlotte scarcely breathed. Pray God they could explain away that list to her stepson’s satisfaction and mislead him from their true intentions.

“And I suppose you are going to say that this Lord Fernley is also a rake or a drunkard?” He stared at them one by one.

Georgina spoke up again. “I’m sure I don’t know about that, but I do know he pulled me into the library at Lady Gresham’s and tried to kiss me.”

A collective gasp went up. Charlotte’s vision wavered. That description came too close to her circumstances for comfort. But Georgina continued on, though her cheeks flamed. “I don’t think that is very proper behavior toward someone you’ve only just met.”

“I suppose not.” Edgar’s tone had turned speculative, and to her horror, Charlotte realized he was eyeing Georgie as though she were a horse he contemplated buying. Lord, she hoped that hadn’t given him any ideas.

“I am also responsible for the next name on the list. Lord Brack is my brother.”

Edgar continued to eye her askance. “And your brother is ineligible as well?”

Georgie shifted in her chair. “He is a cruel man, Sir Edgar.” She hung her head. “I wanted to warn my friends about him. When I married a man he deemed beneath my station, he convinced my father to disown me. He has hounded me since my husband’s death and tried to make me marry a man just to pay off his gambling debts.”

Charlotte clamped her hand over her mouth to keep back the laughter. Georgie looked so miserable, her voice so pathetic, that if Charlotte hadn’t known the truth, she’d have been completely convinced of Lord Brack’s evil ways. Her friend had missed her calling as an actress.

“And of course the last name needs no explanation.” Jane spoke up before Charlotte could do so. “Everyone knows Mr. Garrett’s reputation.”

Edgar lowered his head and squinted at each woman in turn. “And which one of you was accosted by that rogue.”

“He didn’t accost me, Edgar. But he did dance with me.” Charlotte tried to diminish her encounter with Garrett. She had to admit the dance; a room full of people had seen them. But if her stepson knew the full story, she’d be ruined in society as soon as the man left the room.

“That alone could have ruined your reputation, Charlotte,” Edgar admonished. “Not that it matters to me.” He tossed the list back on the table. “You are on your own as far as I am concerned. I assume you have begun your packing?”

Charlotte raised her chin. “I have not. Your uncle gave me permission to continue on here at the town house in London until August because he thought it a more fitting place for me to live during my period of mourning.” Her lips curled into a sneer. “I supposed he was grateful to have someone to mourn his brother.”

Edgar squeezed the arm of the chair until his knuckles turned white. “I want you out of my house.”

“I have permission—”

“Which I am revoking this instant. I want you,” he looked around at the little circle of women, “and these ladies, out immediately.”

Almost as one, her friends rose, their shocked faces riveted on her.

Charlotte took a deep breath and loosened her clenched fists. “Pray take your seats.” She stalked over to tower over Edgar. “He has no right to send anyone from this house.”

Edgar leaped to his feet and she thought for a moment he would actually strike her. “You lying—”

“He has not yet reached his majority, have you, Edgar?” Charlotte smiled sweetly as his black frown deepened. “You don’t turn twenty-one until August second. On that day, you may do as you like with your property. But until then, because your uncle has given me leave to live here, I will do so. If you disagree with his decision, I suggest you take it up with him.”

Edgar clenched his hands, a darkness flashing over his face that foretold a reckoning for her at a later date. “You will regret this insolence, my lady.” With that veiled threat, he quit the room, slamming the door on the way out.

As if his exit had been a signal, Charlotte and her friends dropped back into their seats, chattering frantically.

“I am so sorry, Charlotte.”

“How have you stood living with that horrible boy?”