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Chapter Seventeen
When Charity arrived in Dorset three days later, it was to witness Ethan strolling across the lawn, a giggling Miss Alice walking by his side peering adoringly up at him. His mother and Aunt Bess indulgently looked on while sharing a secret smile with the viscountess.
Charity’s heart felt ladened inside her chest, and she wondered if perhaps she was too late. Ethan himself appeared contented with his lot. In truth, it was particularly hard to discern anything from his expression. He reminded her of the icily civil earl she had known before he thawed enough to kiss her.
Jenna, who she had greeted earlier and was also very pleased with Charity’s return, looped their arms together.
“I am so very glad you came back,” she murmured. “I do not mean to be inhospitable, but I swear those two have moved it! They have no shame.”
Before Charity could reply, Jenna gaily cried, “Mama, look who has returned at my invitation?”
The only genuine smiled seem to come from Aunt Bess, and that startled Charity. She dipped into a curtsy to all three ladies and greeted them appropriately.
“Lady Charity,” the countess said with a small measure of warmth. “We missed your lively presence these last several days.”
“Life has certainly been dull,” Jenna said with a sniff.
It was at that moment Ethan noticed her amongst the small group. Charity felt the burn of his stare as it lingered on her, and she lifted her eyes to meet his. His dark and unfathomable gaze dropped to her belly, and she silently gasped. He thought her with child!
As discreetly as possible, she shook her head, hoping he understood her slight communication. A muscle jerked along his jawline, and his expression smoothed into a blank mask. Then to Charity’s shock, he looked down at Alice and murmured something, then smiled.
The imitate nature of it struck her rather forcibly, and she had to quickly look away. There was something between the pair, and it might truly be wretched of her to come between them with a confession.
“Lady Charity,” he said in a pleasant voice, coming up to where she stood. “I have not thought to see you before next season. Is all well?”
“Yes, of course,” she said with a bright smile. “I hope I have not imposed on your hospitality.”
“I sent Charity a letter pleading with her to relieve my boredom,” Jenna said airily. “I might have been a tad bit dramatic in my demands and alarmed her.”
He made a noncommittal murmur.
“Lord Ralston promised to walk with me toward the small cliffs abutting his estate,” Miss Alice said with a bright smile. “If only you were a day sooner, Lady Charity, you would have accompanied us on the trip to the seaside at Weymouth. It was such great fun.”
“I am certain it was lovely,” she said with a polite smile. “If you will excuse me, I am a bit tired from the journey. I will retire—”
“Surely you do not mean to leave us so soon!” Alice gasped. “Please say you will come with. The walk to the hills is only a few minutes, and the view dear promises to be glorious. Etha—” another dramatic gasp as if she had accidentally called the earl by his intimate name, followed with a pretty blush. “Forgive me, I meant Lord Ralston said it is a very wonderful view.”
Ugly hooks dug into Charity and raked fiercely through her heart. A quick glance at him showed an unreadable mien, but he was looking at her. She took no comfort from it, and with a jolt, Charity realized she felt wretched and on the verge of tears. A defiant spark lit within her, and she lifted her head. “A brisk walk might be just what I need.”
“Marvelous,” Alice cried, triumph firing from her eyes.
Jenna seemed angry but resigned. The viscountess, Lady Ralston, and even Aunt Bess appeared pleased.
“If you ladies are up for the trek,” Ethan murmured, “Please follow me.”
The almost thirty-minute walk to the small cliffs abutting his estates was the most wretched Charity had ever experienced. Ethan had many opportunities to break from Miss Alice and seek a moment with her, but he did not. All the evidence of an attachment between him and Miss Alice made itself evident.
Jenna was silent and a bit sullen. The older ladies chatted animatedly with the pair, and Charity herself had nothing to add to the conversation. It was just all too much to bear.
She had known the earl wanted to find a bride this season. She had refused him so many times. What if he had merely moved on? Then he had no affections for you, a tiny voice cautioned. Though she saw sense in that hidden voice, it still profoundly hurt. The reach the small hill and unable to bear Miss Alice’s tinkling laugh or to observe the way she clutched at the earl was unbearable. Charity strolled away from the group toward the edge of the hill, inhaling the earthy scent. The ground was wet, the grass mulchy, a testament to the recent downpour.
Staring out at the sharp rolling hill below, she wondered if she could bear to stay in Dorset at the earl’s home for a few days. Charity felt his stare, and she shifted and swallowed. Ethan was staring at her, and it might be a trick of the light, but she saw a flash of hunger and so want in his eyes it left her breathless. She took a halting step toward him, and Miss Alice’s hand on his forearm curved like claws as if to hold him in place. He did not notice it, but the lady twisted her ankle quite deliberately and then cried out sharply.
That got everyone’s attention, even Ethan, who glanced down, his expression one of concern. Tears seemed to fill her eyes, and her mother fluttered around. Charity flinched when he dipped and lifted the chit into his arms. Over Miss Alice’s head, their gaze collided. Fierce emotions swelled inside Charity, and she narrowed her gaze. Not sure why she even did it, she mouthed, ‘murder and mayhem.
His eyes flared, and the ground below her wobbled. Feeling as if something beneath, she shifted; she glanced down and cried out as the ground broke and fell away with her.
* * *
