“Vicomte,” Charlotte said. “The truth of the matter is, Ludlow is being followed by…”
“Ah, Earl Eaglehook.” A voice cut her short. The marquis appeared, a thin smile on his face. “I hear that we are graced by your presence tonight and that of your fiance.”
“Marquis.” The earl gave him a brief, unfriendly nod.
“But my men tell me you’re quite enjoying yourself in France, is that so?” The marquis smiled. “You must remember that this weather doesn’t suit all Englishmen. I’d go as far to say, it might even be disadvantageous for your health to stay here.”
“I’ll take care of my health and keep your words in mind.” The earl said. “I’d also like to compliment you, Marquis. For a man who has just lost his ward, you’re looking remarkably cheerful.”
The marquis’ face colored. For a moment, he resembled a rather swollen aubergine. Then, he managed to sputter. “Olivia is quite well.”
“Rather a nice inheritance she’s got, isn’t it?” The earl said. “Shame that it didn’t fall to you, Marquis. But of course, you’re next in line for it.”
This news made Charlotte’s eyes widen. Was that why the marquis was so keen to find Olivia? If she were wed to Ludlow, then the marquis would lose his inheritance! Worse yet, what if he was planning to kill her all along? Was that why Ludlow had eloped?
One look at the earl’s face confirmed Charlotte’s speculation. Hatred and disgust fell like shadows across those fine Topaz eyes, making them seem molten with anger. The marquis, on the other hand, looked as though he had been caught in an awkward position, and was struggling to find something to say.
“I trust you are well, Lady Charlotte.” The marquis said suddenly. “I heard you had a rather nasty accident the other day on a stairwell?” There was a leer in his voice, and she was sure that he was only trying to confound her.
Refusing to fall into his entrapment, she replied, “My good earl was there to save me, Marquis.”
“And will be there, forever.” The earl took her hand and gave her a look of absolute devotion. A casual observer would have been fooled and taken it as a betrothed couple exchanging a passionate glance. But Charlotte found that she could read the earl’s feelings as easily as she could blink. There was more here, there was emotion in the earl’s eyes unlike any she’d seen before. But not for her, no. She was sure of it. He was pretending to be devoted to her in order to throw off the marquis. Revulsion still lurked in his eyes.
Why did he despise the marquis so? She wondered. What had the man ever done to him? Still, it did make sense. If all this was a form of revenge to prevent the marquis from getting his inheritance, then the earl was perfectly happy to oblige. If he found Ludlow and Olivia and successfully brought them back to England, the marquis would forever lose his money. Even killing Olivia would not bring her inherited fortune to him once she was another man’s wife. The marquis’ plan was clearly to kill both her and Ludlow in France so that he could claim that a marriage never happened and the inheritance would be his.
But what about her? Where was her place in the earl’s plans? Did he care for her at all, or would she be easily discarded once the marquis was put in his place?
She looked into the earl’s eyes, trying to find out the answer to the questions that swirled in her mind. His strong gaze comforted her but didn’t answer anything.
The future was a mystery, but Charlotte knew one thing for certain. Even if it meant sacrificing her life, she would make sure that her brother and his wife were brought home safe and sound.
Behind her, the musicians began a merry new tune, and the marquis extended his hand to her. “Let us dance, then, to celebrate your engagement with the earl?” He asked. His smile was still evil, though his voice was polite. Unable to refuse, she accepted his hand and was whisked away with a last backward glance at the earl.
Chapter 8
The Marquis Strikes!
She was unfamiliar with the music, an exotic tune with a melancholy note hiding under its brash cheeriness. The marquis, who was a terrible dancer, was content to lead her in a sedated manner across the dance floor. As the music picked up, however, he pulled her to him, and said, “What are your intentions, wench?”
“Sir!” She looked up at him.
“Oh for the sake of appearances, I know you’re not going to make much noise.” The marquis said. “Let me just warn you that I’ve known the earl a long time. I’d advise you not to get caught up in this. He’s playing a game you won’t understand.”
“I care about my brother.” Charlotte said, “And I trust the earl will help protect him. Whatever nefarious plan you’re concocting…”
The marquis laughed, cutting her off. “Trust the earl? My dear that is one of the most foolish things you can do. As for your brother, I don’t care a whit about him. If you’re a noble sister, you’ll tell him to relinquish Olivia back to her rightful guardian and keep quiet about this whole affair. That way, I’ll have no reason to harm him.”
“What of Olivia?” Charlotte asked. “Will you have reason to harm her? Such as an inheritance?”
The marquis said nothing, but there was venom in his eyes as he looked down at her, and it made Charlotte shiver. His fingers tightened around her waist and dug in cruelly. “This is the only warning I will give you.” He said. “Beware of the earl; protect your brother and stay out of this.” He was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. The earl stood behind him, his very presence seeming to add menace to the air. Heads were turning at the whiff of the marquis’ fear. With an ingratiating smile, the marquis handed Charlotte to the earl, who drew her closer in a decidedly possessive move. The vicomte, who stood in a group nearby, had to suppress a smile as he told his friends, “Our dear earl seems quite devoted to his soon-to-be bride. I’d hastily take my leave if I were the marquis.”
Unaware of the good-natured banter flowing around her, Charlotte felt only relief as she began a new dance with the earl. His grip on her was firm, yet gentle. He looked down as if he could sense the turmoil in her soul. Indeed, despite her attempt to be brave, Charlotte was in turmoil. What did the marquis mean when he said that the earl was not to be trusted? She didn’t for one minute, believe that the earl had any ulterior motives, and yet…
“Stop.” He said. She looked up at him, blinking.
“Your eyes are clouded over with thoughts.” He said, “and then, just for a moment, the clouds part and I see… something.”
“Do you see an opportunity to ridicule me?” She asked, entirely unsure if he was serious.
He gave her a crooked smile and shook his head. “I see only beauty.” He said.
“You should attempt that line on Alexandria,” Charlotte said. “I think she’d appreciate it a lot more than I do. She’s more likely to believe it, too.”
“Ah, do I detect a hint of jealousy, My Lady?” He asked. “Surely, you can’t believe that Alexandria poses a threat?”
“I… I don’t care,” Charlotte said. “After all, I’m going to release you from this engagement just as soon as we find Ludlow, aren’t I? You can have Alexandria all to yourself after that if you can tear her away from her many suitors!”
His eyes seemed to turn opaque, and Charlotte wondered if mentioning Alexandria’s suitors had made him angry. His voice was considerably colder as he said. “Yes, My Lady. Of course, I realize you are eager to find your brother so that we may end this sham of engagement. Unfortunately, for now, you’re bound to me.” His movements were decidedly rougher as he swung her around the dance floor. As the music turned up, he twirled her around and elicited a gasp from her as he dipped her nearly to the floor.
“And I intend to make sure that I am not made a laughingstock.” The earl said as he brought her back up. “Now tell me, what did the marquis tell you?”
“He told me not to trust you,” Charlotte said. “I didn’t believe him… then.”
“Maybe it was a wise warning.” The earl said.
“Why do you have a rivalry with t
he marquis?” Charlotte asked. “When we got engaged, it wasn’t just the prospect of my ruined reputation that made you propose to me, was it? Part of you didn’t want to let the marquis get away with his evil schemes. You couldn’t stand the thought that his slyness that day had caused you to suffer.”
“Is that how little you think of me?” He asked, looking genuinely dismayed. “Do you not believe I have a single shred of honor and that I should want to help you with no ulterior motive?”
Before she could answer, a valet had stepped forward and was whispering into the earl’s ear. Charlotte could tell from the way the earl stiffened that it was something significant. With a quick bow, he excused himself and drew the valet aside. Unheeding of any eyes that were on her, Charlotte too hurried off the dance floor towards the earl.
His eyes moved to hers even as he was listening to his man-servant, and nodding along. After what seemed like an eternity, he took a breath and walked over to speak to her.
“What is it?” She asked. “It’s about Ludlow, isn’t it?”
“The vicomte is hiding him, of that, I’m very sure.” The earl said. “As to where he is hidden, the marquis has just been seen heading out in his coach. I’m going to follow him.
“You must take me with you!” Charlotte exclaimed.
“You and Aunt Agatha?” The earl smiled. “No, my dear, I think it is best if you leave me to do this on my own.” When Charlotte hesitated, anger sparked in his eyes.
“You don’t trust me to do right by your brother?” He asked. “Is that it?”
“No,” Charlotte said. “Of course I do.”
“Then let me go, Charlotte. Time is of the essence.” He said urgently. “I promise you I will bring your brother back to you and that’s all you care about, is it not?” He looked at her for a long time, but she found that the words had frozen in her mouth.
“Yes, I see that it is.” He said, finally. “Permit me to depart, My Lady and believe me, I will soon bring back the two lovers safe and sound!”
Helpless, she watched him go, praying that he would stay safe, and bring Ludlow back as fast as possible.
Yet her heart broke when she realized that with Ludlow’s return, their engagement would end. Only in the earl’s absence did she realize how much he had begun to mean to her. Memories of their time at the villa seemed to assault her as she found her way back to Aunt Agatha.
But before she could reach her aunt, Alexandria blocked her path. It was apparent that the lady had had a little more wine than was advisable. Her ears were red, and a few wisps of hair had escaped from her tightly wound bun. Her eyes glittered like shards of glass when they fell on Charlotte.
“You’re still here, then?” She asked. “I am advised that after today, you will not be.”
Had the earl told her that? Charlotte felt sick. “I’m here now.” She said. “That’s what matters.”
“Well, you shouldn’t be,” Alexandria said. “The earl is in love with me, and you are keeping us apart!”
“If he’s in love with you, he does an excellent job of hiding it, My Lady,” Charlotte said, feeling a little incensed.
“Oh don’t you take that tone with me! You’re nothing but a lowly viscount’s daughter and that brother of yours, do you think I don’t know what he’s done? Your father was the same, wasn’t he? Your mother eloped with him!”
The mention of her parents and her brother had Charlotte seething, but she had the sense to stay calm. “I’d advise you to go to your chambers, Lady Alexandria.” She said in a frosty voice. “There’s not much more I wish to say to you.”
“There’s nothing you can say to me,” Alexandria said. “But I’ll give you a warning! If you position yourself between me and what’s mine…”
“The earl isn’t your property.” Charlotte interrupted. “I think he has enough good sense to avoid you.”
“The earl is meant to be married to me!” Alexandria stamped her foot. “I will see to it that he does!”
“He is a man with a very strong will,” Charlotte said.
“Oh, you fool.” Alexandria laughed. “Do you really think he cares about you? Because of this contrived engagement? The earl cares nothing for you. Nothing at all.”
Thoroughly disgusted, Charlotte attempted to move away and found her path blocked by a malicious Alexandria.
“That’s right.” Alexandria hissed. “All he cares about is revenge! Revenge on the marquis! He told me a long time ago how the marquis once bankrupted his father and nearly brought his family to the edge of ruin. The earl is an honorable man, and I speculate he felt obliged to you and your family for helping him. But really, he only did all this so that he could get back at the marquis. Once he has gotten his taste of revenge, he’s going to bitterly regret the fact that he’s obligated himself to you for a lifetime!”
The truth of her words hit Charlotte like a brick. The earl was indeed a ferociously honorable man and sooner or later, he would regret his impulsive decision. After all, he was in a very different social sphere than her. What could they possibly have in common? In terms of beauty, too, she was no match for the women that fawned for a glimpse of him. Honor was a poor justification to marry someone. Even though she had slowly fallen in love with him, she surely could not entice him into a lifetime of regret!
In a bitter voice, she said to Alexandria. “I promise you, Lady Alexandria, that I will never take advantage of the earl for I have far too much respect for him to do so. But as to you, even you cannot be so blind as to think that your blatant seducing can create a desire for marriage in the earl’s heart. He will be married to a good woman some day, but I promise you, that neither you nor I am worthy of that distinction!”
With that, Charlotte pushed past Alexandria and went back to her aunt. Somehow, even though her every fiber was thinking of the earl, she managed to pass the evening in pleasant conversations with the vicomte and his guests. She refused every offer to dance, however.
When they reached the villa, Charlotte insisted on sitting in the parlor, her anxious eyes keeping watch on the driveway. The lanterns that lit the path slowly dimmed as the moon made its way across the sky, and yet there was no sign of the earl.
Where was he? Was he in danger? What had happened to Ludlow? Visions of them in pain, or mortally injured, drove needles through her heart. She sat vigil, wishing that she had gone with the earl. It was torture to just sit this way, and wait for their return.
At last, she heard the sound of hooves, and through the darkness, the shadow of a horse gradually took shape, with two riders upon it. She gave a little cry of delight as she jumped up from her seat. There was Ludlow at last!
“Ludlow!”
Her brother looked far older than when she had last seen him. The boyishness that marked him had been tempered with maturity now. He was cradling a beautiful woman with hazel eyes in his hands, and blood spotted his collar. He got off the horse and helped Olivia down too.
“The earl!” Charlotte cried, shaking his shoulders. “Where is he?”
With a grim voice, Ludlow said, “He was right behind us when the marquis’ men attacked!”
“But…” With fear coiling itself around her heart, Charlotte asked, “You cannot mean to say that.”
“He insisted that I run back here with Olivia while he fought the blackguards,” Ludlow said. “I do not know what will happen now. I only pray that he is safe.”
Chapter 8
The Earl’s
Homecoming
This time, Charlotte would not be left behind. Once Olivia had been safely ushered into a room with Aunt Agatha, Charlotte insisted on going with Ludlow, Carruthers and the other men as they set off to find the earl. Ludlow tried to be firm and prevent her from coming, but Charlotte would not have it. She had to know that her Morgan was safe!
As they galloped toward the spot where the earl had been accosted, Carruthers said, “I’ve sent word to the vicomte. He will no doubt be bringing the gendarmerie nationale. The marq
uis won’t go unpunished this time.”
“What happened?” Charlotte asked Ludlow.
“Olivia and I are married,” Ludlow said. “As you, no doubt have already guessed.”
“Oh Ludlow, how could you elope!”
“I had no choice,” Ludlow said. “The marquis is a powerful man, but Olivia got wind of the fact that he had plans to do away with her in order to secure her inheritance. I eloped with her thinking that once we were married, he would pose no threat. The marquis was determined though and thought that he could kill us both, hide any evidence that we were married and get the money he so desperately desired. Olivia and I were set upon three times by his men and each time, we barely escaped. When we reached the vicomte’s house, I was hanging on to my last shred of hope. Fortunately, the vicomte was very kind to us, and he promised that he would not reveal my position to anybody. We had no idea who could be a spy for the marquis, after all.”
“Yes,” Charlotte said. “But I wish the vicomte had told us earlier!”
“It didn’t matter that he kept it a secret,” Ludlow said. “The marquis found us anyway. We were sequestered in a little cottage two villages distant from the vicomte’s estate.”
“What then?” Charlotte asked.
“He knocked me unconscious, and was about to set upon Olivia when the earl arrived,” Ludlow said. “He was magnificent, Charlotte. You should see that man wield a sword! Within no time, the marquis was begging for mercy. The earl stopped just short of killing him.”
“But then?”
“We were prepared to ride back when the marquis’ men sprang on us,” Ludlow said. “The blackhearted rascal had come prepared with five others! The earl was overpowered, but he fought hard enough that we were able to get away. I pray that he is somehow unharmed for I will be filled with shame to my dying day if he has laid down his life for me.”
“No,” Charlotte said. “No, he will be alive! He has to be!”
As they approached the cottage, Charlotte saw evidence of the fighting that must have happened only a little time ago. Blood was sprayed against trees, and weapons lay ownerless on the ground.
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