How the Lady Charmed the Marquess

by Laura A. Barnes

  Jasper’s words washed over Charlotte, making her weak in the knees. His head had lowered when he softly spoke to her, and a hand stroked her arm. The gentle caress emphasized each emotion he spoke of. Charlie stepped closer, lifting her head for a kiss. He brushed his thumb across her lips.

  “I will not kiss you, Charlie.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No.”

  “I thought ...”

  “I know what you thought. However, what I want is for you to convince your uncle to sell me the foal for my silence on your little ruse.”

  “That is blackmail.”

  “No, a fair exchange.”

  Charlie growled, stepping away from his spell. The man was despicable. He twisted her innocent infatuation to his agenda. When he spoke of desire, passion, and the fire consuming them, she thought he cared for her. Especially after the kiss they shared. Instead, he only wanted to use her.

  “What makes you think Uncle Theo would believe you over his own nieces?”

  “Simple, I will tell him what I have observed. Then I will tell Worthington of your switching identities. He will not take the act lightly. Worthington is a proud man. I will take pleasure in rubbing his nose in the fact that not one, but two lovely ladies duped him.”

  “You cannot tell Worthington.”

  “Give me one good reason not to.”

  Under any other circumstances, Charlotte wouldn’t betray her sister, but she couldn’t let Sinclair ruin what progress she had made with Worthington for Evelyn either. Her sister would just have to understand. Jasper had a soft spot for Evelyn ever since he'd rescued her from a spooked horse. He protected Evelyn like a brother, always making sure she was at ease around the horses, never leaving her alone with them.

  “Evelyn loves him.”

  “Who, Worthington?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why in the hell does she care for him? Does she know what kind of rake he is? His reputation in London is one of a scoundrel.”

  “None of that matters to her at this point.”

  “No. I forbid it.”

  “You have no authority over Evelyn.”

  “If your uncle and cousin will not see fit to protect her from the likes of Worthington, then I will.”

  “Uncle Theo invited Worthington here for the very purpose of snagging his attention for one of us. Also, he is a friend to Lucas.”

  “Charlie, just because a man is friends with another man, does not mean that they are worthy enough to be married to any of their relations.”

  “You speak nonsense. Your ramblings are those of a jealous man.” Charlie paused. The full implication of her statement hitting her. “Do you care for Evelyn in that nature?”

  All Sinclair needed to do was to answer in the positive. It would scare Charlotte away and also give him leeway on disrupting Worthington’s game. But when he stared at the pool of tears collecting in Charlie’s eyes, he refused to answer yes. Because to do so would be a lie that he could never walk away from. He wouldn’t hurt Charlotte that way.

  When Sinclair didn’t answer Charlie, his silence was answer enough. She felt like he'd punched her in the gut. She didn’t know how she walked past him without him stopping her. In her daze, she passed Worthington. When he inquired after her, Charlie continued on to her bedroom. Upon reaching the bedroom, Evelyn stood waiting near the window, bouncing on the heels of her feet in excitement. However, one glance at Charlie and her happiness turned to concern. She held her arms open and Charlie ran into them, bawling like a baby.

  Sinclair followed behind Charlie to make sure that she made it to the house safely. Worthington tried to stop her, but Charlie blew past him without a second glance. Sinclair laughed when Worthington looked put off by Charlie’s disinterest. Worthington looked at where Charlie had come from and encountered Sinclair. Sinclair nodded, and this time he was the one who held the smile of victory. For their best interest, Sinclair would make sure Worthington lost interest in Evelyn and Charlotte.

  Especially Charlotte.

  Chapter Eight

  Sinclair leaned against the fireplace mantle, waiting for Lady Forrester to announce the afternoon’s activity. He'd decided overnight if he were to protect the twins, then he would need to be present at all times. Not that he could do much today anyway with the relentless rain falling all morning and into the afternoon. A bevy of suitors surrounded the twins, with Worthington amongst the crowd trying to stake his claim on Charlotte. However, she kept directing him to talk with Evelyn while she flirted with Kincaid and Ralston. Another two gentlemen who weren’t worthy of her attentions. No man in this room was, himself included.

  During his perusal, he noticed Worthington ignored Evelyn’s every attempt to draw him into a conversation. The dejected look upon Evelyn’s face frustrated Sinclair. Worthington kept trying to separate Charlotte from the group. Evelyn placed a hand on his sleeve, and Worthington paused in confusion. Evelyn quickly drew her hand away and offered an apology. Then Worthington started talking with Evelyn. The happiness from the earl’s attention brightened Evelyn’s face. This brought forth another scowl from Sinclair.

  Sinclair searched the room until he found the person he needed to speak with. Sinclair saw her talking to Abigail near the windows. The only one who could talk any sense into her sisters was Jacqueline. If she wouldn’t see reason about their deception, then he would take the matter to Gray and the duke. For now, he would persuade Jacqueline to stop Charlotte and Evelyn’s antics. After Abigail wandered away, Sinclair approached Jacqueline.

  “I would say it to be a dreary day, but surrounded by such delightful company, it is far from gloomy.”

  Jacqueline turned from staring out the window. “Such flattery, Lord Sinclair, could only mean one thing. What is your complaint toward Charlie this time?”

  Sinclair laughed. “You wound me, Jacqueline. Can I not pay a compliment to spending time with you?”

  “We spend too much time together regularly for this to be a rare occasion of seeing one another. While I value our friendship, I also recognize the tone of your voice when you wish to discuss my sister.”

  Sinclair sighed. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Yes. What has Charlie done for you to seek me out?”

  “This concerns Charlotte and Evelyn.”

  “Charlotte? This is serious.” Jacqueline teased while trying to hold back a smile.

  The seriousness of Sinclair amused Jacqueline. Jasper Sinclair was as wild as they came. His antics raised as many brows as Charlotte’s did. Charlie and Sinclair’s competitiveness was known by all. At any opportunity Sinclair would push Charlotte into her reckless behavior. If she succeeded he would praise her, if Charlie failed, Sinclair’s teasing was relentless. Over the last few months, Jacqueline had noted the shift in their relationship. She wondered if Charlotte and Sinclair recognized the difference too.

  “Are you aware of your sisters switching identities throughout this house party?” Sinclair lowered his voice.

  “Yes.” Jacqueline lowered her voice too.

  Sinclair stared in shock at her admission. “Why are you not stopping them?”

  “Because so far it has been harmless.”

  “That you are aware of.”

  “Is there something you wish to confess, Lord Sinclair?” Jacqueline asked in her mother hen tone.

  Sinclair winced. He had walked into a trap. With only wanting to make Jacqueline aware of their deceit, he had opened himself into being interrogated. If he weren’t careful, Jacqueline would have him confessing to the slight indiscretion he'd shared with Charlie. Then he would find himself really trapped. Trapped with a most infuriating, annoying menace who drove him crazy. He glanced over to Charlie and watched her animated face tell a story. Crazy with desire. At that moment Sinclair faced a reality—Charlie had trapped him in her web.

  “No. I only plead with you to have them stop this nonsense. One of them will get hurt.”

  “Which one?”

&nb
sp; “Excuse me?”

  “Which one will get hurt? Evelyn or Charlotte?”

  “I do not know which one.”

  “I disagree. Take a look at Evelyn over there. Her confidence has blossomed this week. True, a large part of that is due to her impersonation of Charlotte. However, now she is herself and conversing with a gentleman. Before, Evelyn would have been too shy to have stepped out of her shell. So no, I will not discourage their activity for now.”

  Sinclair scoffed, “Worthington is no gentleman.”

  “I have seen no proof to refute that.”

  “You do not know of him as I do, my lady.”

  “As I do not know of your behavior while not in my presence. But that does not stop me from calling you my friend.”

  “Point taken.”

  “I should rephrase my question and ask, is it your intention to hurt Charlotte?”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  “But you have already, have you not?”

  Sinclair stayed silent. He wouldn’t lie to Jacqueline. He realized his actions from the previous night upset Charlotte. Hell, he was furious with himself for his callous disregard to her feelings, his jealously, and his threats. Most importantly, he was a fool for not kissing her. He'd suffered another sleepless night dreaming about her.

  “I overheard Charlotte crying to Evelyn over you.”

  “I owe Charlotte an apology over my boorish behavior. Nothing happened last night, I promise. I only threatened to tell Worthington and your uncle of their deception.”

  “And will you?”

  “No, not for now, unless I deem it necessary.”

  “Thank you, Jasper, for understanding. I only wish happiness for my sisters. They are an excellent judge of character, and whoever they choose, it will be because their hearts told them so. I only hope the gentlemen Charlotte and Evelyn gift their hearts to are worthy of them.”

  Jacqueline squeezed his arm before walking away, leaving Sinclair to wonder if Jacqueline spoke of him. Was he worthy enough for Charlotte? He continued staring at Charlotte. When she glanced his way, he held her gaze searching for an answer. When she granted him a timid smile, he found it. He might not be worthy enough, but he would prove himself every day to win a chance at her heart.

  Charlotte had felt Sinclair’s stare upon her throughout the day. Even now while he talked to Jacqueline, his stare never wavered. She didn’t know what to take of his serious regard. He had made himself more than clear in the stables on what his intentions were. Did he inform Jacqueline of his knowledge of Evelyn and hers deception? If so, Jacqueline only found humor in the situation, if her laughter was anything to judge by.

  After Jacqueline left his side, he gazed at Charlotte with a question in his eyes. When she offered him a smile, it seemed to satisfy him. Even though he didn’t return her smile or nod her way, he appeared more relaxed. His face lost its seriousness and his fingers no longer clenched the glass he held. When he turned toward the windows his shoulders no longer looked tensed underneath his jacket.

  Charlotte longed to go to Sinclair’s side. Instead, she stayed talking with the gentlemen surrounding her. They were pleasant enough, but they lacked the energy she always felt around Sinclair. Then there was the matter of Lord Worthington’s attention. The earl kept confusing her with Evelyn. Worthington thought his infatuation lay with Charlotte, but it was Evelyn who had portrayed herself as Charlotte and he'd believed it. Now that Evelyn acted as herself, Worthington avoided Evelyn and kept trying to draw Charlie away. Charlotte tried to brush his attentions to the side, but he kept persisting. Finally, Evelyn captured his attention with a simple touch. After that, Worthington focused his attention on Evelyn. Which was an immense relief.

  Still, Charlotte wanted to seek Sinclair’s attention, but she held herself back. Aunt Susanna said never to chase a gentleman. Make them chase you. If you chase them, then you made the work of winning your hand too easy. They must prove they are worthy of your love. But Charlie feared that if she didn’t chase Sinclair, he would never realize the love she held for him.

  Before Charlotte made her excuses, the parlor door swung open. Oakes, the butler, opened his mouth to announce the visitor when the guest blew past him inside. He shook the rain off his coat, and he winked at the guests.

  “A right bloody day. I bet this ruined your plans, Mother.”

  “Duncan,” Charlie squealed, running to his side.

  Charlie threw herself in Duncan’s arms. Duncan was Aunt Susanna’s son. With Duncan here, they would have an ally. Sinclair wanted to reveal their deception, but Duncan would help them. He always played her cohort in her exploits. Duncan wrapped Charlie in his arms, swinging her around.

  “Charlie, my girl. You are a sight for sore eyes.” Duncan pulled back and looked her over, noticing the blush lighting her cheeks, the ribbons in her hair, and the lovely gown she wore. He waggled his eyebrows and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, “A very delectable sight.”

  Charlie slapped him on the chest and laughed. However, he never let her go, keeping her close to his side while he made his greetings to the party. His mother exclaimed delight that he'd joined the party and informed him he made the perfect number for the next activity they were about to begin. After his entrance died away and everyone resumed their conversations, Duncan drew Charlie to the side.

  “That was quite the greeting, cousin.”

  “I was excited to see you. Aunt Susanna never mentioned you were coming.”

  “Yes, well, I changed my mind at the last minute. I grew bored at home and thought I would rescue you from your own boredom.”

  “Bored, or more like escaping from a clinging conquest?”

  “Ah, you know me so well. Speaking of conquests, I notice you had a bevy of your own surrounding you when I arrived.”

  “Yes, well ...”

  “Mmm, I sense a story that you want to confess. Does your story also explain why Jasper Sinclair is shooting daggers in my direction?”

  Charlotte glanced towards Sinclair, catching his glare. Duncan removed his coat, handing it to Oakes, and Charlotte smoothed out his lapel.

  “Perhaps.”

  Duncan chuckled, grasping her hand in his and bringing it toward his mouth. He placed a kiss across her knuckles.

  “I cannot wait to hear. Now, before I am reprimanded for my forward behavior, when and where do you want to meet?”

  “The usual destination at midnight.”

  “Would you like me to bring the usual provisions?”

  Charlie smirked. “Of course.”

  “Until later, dear cousin,” Duncan whispered in Charlotte’s ear.

  Duncan sauntered away, clasping Lucas’s hand in a handshake when he approached him. When Duncan tried to greet Selina, she turned her head in disapproval, biting out a welcome. Charlotte laughed. While Duncan could charm the very devil, he couldn’t break the ice of Selina Pemberton. Selina thought Duncan was a barbaric Scot, too unrefined for her company. However, he was Lucas’s cousin and Selina couldn’t snub him, even though she wanted to.

  Aunt Susanna clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. Charlotte wandered over to stand next to Evelyn. Evelyn smiled to Charlie of her happiness. Charlotte grabbed her hand, squeezing her support.

  “Now, since this dreadful rain has ruined my plans for an outside scavenger hunt, it has not prevented us from having one. With the help of the servants, we have hidden the items throughout the house. After I pair you ladies with your partners, please grab a basket and the list of items you must search for.” Aunt Susanna paused.

  “The other afternoon I paired the twins with Worthington and Sinclair. This time, Evelyn, you will be with Lord Worthington, and Charlotte you will have Lord Sinclair for a partner. Only this time, Lord Sinclair, please do not leave Charlotte on her own like you did Evelyn.”

  Sinclair quietly accepted the reprimand.

  Aunt Susanna partnered Jacqueline with Kincaid, and Gemma paired with Lord Ralston
. The other guests she randomly matched. When it came to the final four guests, she shocked everyone by matching Lucas with Abigail. Which left Selina to scavenger hunt with Duncan. Charlotte covered her mouth to stifle a giggle at the look on Selina’s face. Duncan took great delight in the lady’s misfortune by telling her how lucky he was to have her for a partner. Selina couldn’t protest the pairing without causing a scene. Duncan winked at Charlotte and she shook her head at his silliness.

  “Now, before we begin, there are a set of rules you must follow. You have two hours to return with the items on the list and there must be no cheating. You cannot ask the servants for help. The winners will win the opening waltz at the ball on Saturday. Good luck, ladies and gentlemen.”

  Chapter Nine

  They had been looking for the items on the list for a while now, and Jasper had yet to speak to Charlotte. He had grabbed the list out of Charlotte’s hands, scanned it, then handed the paper back. He stalked away in the opposite direction of the others, and Charlotte tried keeping up with his long strides. She rattled on about where they might find some of the items, but Jasper ignored her, taking them deeper into the house where they wouldn’t find anything.

  “Jasper, slow down. We are not playing a trick on you this time. ‘Tis me, Charlotte.”

  Jasper swung around, backing Charlotte against the wall. His body vibrated with anger, wrapping her in its ferocity.

  “I know who you are. I am not like those other dim-witted fools. Believe me, I know you are Charlotte.”

  “How can you tell the difference?”

  “Besides knowing you your entire life?” Charlotte nodded. “Because your eyes flash with fire when you're angry. They soften to the palest green when you're sad. But it is when they turn the darkest, darkest green I really know who you are.”

  “But Evelyn’s eyes do the same.”

  “Not like yours.” Jasper trailed a finger down her cheek.

  “Nonsense.”

  “Mmm.” His path continued down her throat. “At this very instance they are changing to the darkest green.”