A Rogue's Courtship: Clean Regency Romance Collection

by Madeline St. James

  Charlotte hadn’t bothered to go out that week. When the Duchess’ invitation had come for tea, she kindly responded saying that she was not feeling well and wouldn’t be up for gracing Her Grace with her presence. She half expected someone to come barging into her home and demand she go and see the Duchess at once or she would have all of her new dresses and finery taken off her. But nothing of the sort had happened. Charlotte didn’t simply mope in bed, though. She decided the house needed a thorough cleaning.

  Bitty threw herself into the work just as whole-heartedly. Together, they even tackled the attic where Charlotte had tucked away some old family heirlooms. They went through the items one by one, and Charlotte opted to keep half of the items and give away the other half to the less fortunate. She was still just as restless when, on the morning of the seventh day without hearing from Daniel, a knock sounded at the door. She was in the sitting room, trying to concentrate on the book she was reading when she heard Bitty answer to the caller. Daniel’s voice was unmistakable as he asked for her, and Bitty’s disapproval echoed through the halls. She rose from her chair and peered into the hallway.

  “Let him in, Bitty,” she said quietly, and Daniel stepped through the door. Bitty retreated down to the kitchen, giving Charlotte a warning look in passing as Daniel joined her in the sitting room. It was a smaller room, with a sofa that sat opposite two chairs and a mahogany table in the middle of them. Charlotte sat in one of the chairs, letting Daniel choose where he wanted to take a seat. He positioned himself across from her, and caught her gaze right away; she practically melted. He had the same effect on her as he did a week ago, despite the dire circumstances they found themselves in.

  “I’ve come to inform you that Sarah and I are getting a divorce,” he announced. At that moment, Bitty came into the room with a tray laden with tea and biscuits. It gave Charlotte the opportunity to collect her thoughts. A divorce was not something to be taken lightly. She waited for Bitty to leave the room before speaking again.

  “A divorce?” She tried desperately to keep a level head and avoid becoming overly hopeful. Divorce cases could take years, as all manner of wrongdoing and responsibility had to be investigated before a decision was made as to who was going to benefit from what. Generally speaking, the man usually came out the victor in such cases, but Charlotte secretly hoped it didn’t result in Daniel throwing Sarah out.

  “Yes. Sarah has decided her case is to be made on the grounds of canon law.”

  “And how does that work?” Charlotte picked up her tea and sipped it, not sure she really wanted to know.

  “She wishes for us to file for legal separation which is also known as a divortium a mensa et thoro. Which is to say that we will be legally separated in bed and board. If she wins the trial, neither of us will be permitted to remarry. However, it would mean that I would no longer be financially responsible for her.”

  “Then why is she opting for that choice?” Charlotte wondered out loud. Practically everyone knew that women had no grounds for divorce, and the husband was the one responsible for initiating the cases.

  “Because I am basing my case off of adultery.”

  Charlotte almost dropped her teacup. “Adultery?”

  “Yes. I’ve filed suit against her lover for the trial of crim. con. If successful, which I am confident it would be considering he is absent, it proves her adultery and her reputation are besmirched. But I can then petition Parliament for a vinculo matrimonii, which is a Private Act of Divorce. That would allow us both to remarry. Sarah feels that, as you and I were engaged in relations, she will win the trial and thus leave us both miserable for the rest of our lives.”

  Charlotte felt the color drain from her cheeks. Of course Daniel could prove that Sarah had committed adultery, her soon to be newborn child was proof of that, as she must have conceived before Daniel had returned from overseas. Sarah could also perhaps prove adultery, but to what end? It would leave them both miserable and with a mar to their names and reputation. Not to mention, Charlotte would certainly be brought in and questioned by Parliament. What would happen to she and Bitty?

  “Oh Daniel…” She set her teacup down, no longer interested in biscuits and tea.

  “I know it isn’t an ideal situation, but as she can’t prove that you and I have done anything explicitly to give you the reputation of Mistress-”

  “Daniel, that isn’t the point,” she interjected. “She has an unborn child to think about. How will she care for it? Where will she go? She might not be able to prove that you and I haven’t had marital relations outside of matrimony, but you cannot disprove it, either. It’s all hearsay and conjecture. Plus, what if the Duchess catches wind of this?” Charlotte threw her hands up in exasperation.

  “Do you not want to marry me someday, Char?” Daniel looked so hurt that Charlotte rose and circumvented the coffee table so she could sit by him. She took his hands in her own and squeezed.

  “I have dreamed about marrying you, Commander Richards, since the day we met you. You know this. I am just afraid of the aftermath. It is neither your fault, nor hers, and yet the two of you will undoubtedly ruin one another in your endeavors to see this thing through.”

  “I don’t see any other way to proceed, Char. Of course, my father is beside himself with outrage. But how else are we to handle this?”

  He wasn’t wrong, Charlotte knew, but it didn’t make it any easier. “I don’t know that I can sit by and watch this happen, Daniel.”

  “What do you mean?” He leaned towards her.

  “I just mean,” she began. “I have been considering going to Wales for a spell to visit my sister. I’ve never been out to see her, and it would give me a chance to catch my breath and think clearly without all of the drama.”

  “I actually think that is a great idea,” Daniel agreed. Charlotte’s head whipped up.

  “You do?”

  “Yes. That way, when people come round to question and pressure you into making claims and allegations, you won’t catch the brunt of it. They will have to come to me directly if they want answers.”

  “Do you mean the Duchess?” Charlotte asked.

  “Precisely. How soon can you be ready to leave? You can take my carriage.”

  “Daniel, no. People will then question the motives behind that. I’ll hire one out.” Charlotte got up and began pacing the sitting room. She needed time to plan and think. Should she send word to her sister’s estate that she would be coming? Did she even have time for that? Charlotte began making lists and plans in her head, almost forgetting that Daniel was standing next to her when she bumped into him.

  “Oh heavens, I’m so sorry!” she whispered up to him, and then his eyes widened as her lips parted and before she knew it, he was kissing her. Charlotte kissed him like her life depended on it. Their passion was akin to if she was going to Wales and they would never see one another again. She felt bone weary, like she had been chasing after him her whole life, and still, he kept being snatched away from her. When Daniel finally let go and broke the kiss, Charlotte was out of breath.

  “I will hire the carriage and send it in the morning. If you don’t go, I’m afraid I will change my mind and want to keep you here where I know I can see you anytime.” Daniel’s voice was raw. Rather than try to reply, she nodded and pressed her fingertips to her lips, which were swollen.

  “Promise me you will send word when you make it to Wales?” he asked. She nodded, wishing he would just leave. If he stayed, she might beg him not to let her go away, even if it was just for a short visit.

  Charlotte turned towards the fire so he wouldn’t see her cry, but she felt him move behind her. He placed his palms on her shoulders and she sighed, leaning back against him. He placed a gentle kiss on the side of her neck, and then walked out. The empty place he left behind her threatened to swallow her whole. She wanted to collapse to the floor immediately and cry, but she knew she had to prepare for the carriage in the morning. She found Bitty in the kitchen waiting, an
d Charlotte reported the plan back to her.

  “Aye. It’s for the best, Ms. Rose. If the Duchess eventually found and sunk her claws into you, it would be the end of you. But with Parliament right here in the town, there’s no telling who might come around for questioning. I’ll help you pack, presently.” Bitty rose and Charlotte saw the look of fatigue in her eyes as well. She hardly considered how very selfish she had been. Her anxiety was affecting Bitty, and the woman was older than she, and a lot more prone to accidents or sickness. Charlotte had been running her ragged all week.

  “Oh, Bitty, I’ll do the packing. You look exhausted,” Charlotte tried to reason.

  “I wouldn’t hear of it, Ms. Rose. I’ll be helping you pack.”

  “You will come with me, won’t you?” Charlotte asked hopefully. She didn’t fancy a cross-country trip without Bitty at her side. There was no telling what she might find when she arrived at her sister Rebecca’s. All Charlotte knew was that Rebecca’s husband, Matthew Davenport, was an apothecary and a rather successful one at that.

  “Of course, Ma’am. If you’ll be having me. We’ll need to shut up the house and-”

  “And the carriage is coming in the morning. Fret not about the house. It will still be a house when we return. Lord knows it is clean enough. All will be well until we return,” Charlotte reassured her.

  “The morning? But oh my, there’s so much to do!”

  “Bitty, all we need to do is pack. That’s all we have time for,” Charlotte told her. Bitty nodded but Charlotte could already see the list of things she was intending to get done before they left. It was going to be a sleepless night whilst she aided Bitty in properly shutting up the house.

  Once they were all packed, sheets were draped over the furniture, the shudders on, and the windows were all pulled tight. If Bitty had her way, she would have them nailed shut. Charlotte insisted they weren’t going to be away for too long.

  They were just finishing up when the knocker sounded on the door in the wee hours of the morning. Exhausted but ready, they climbed into the carriage and waited for their luggage to be loaded on top. Almost as soon as they pulled away from the curb, both women fell sound asleep.

  Chapter 8

  It was a three-day journey by carriage from London to Wales. They stopped at an inn each night along the way, and Charlotte paid for them to share a room. She even paid for a bath to be sent up and a hot meal the first night. After a rough, unsatisfying rest in the carriage, Charlotte slept marginally better on the large four-poster bed in the inn next to Bitty. She woke the second day slightly refreshed, but already homesick.

  Despite the endless drama of the ton, she was sad that she hadn’t had the opportunity to say goodbye to Lady Sophia, Lady Catherine or Lady Claire. She already missed their companionship, as well as her house. And rather than enjoying the changing scenery as they traveled, she found her thoughts were mostly preoccupied with Daniel.

  Charlotte tried not to let herself hope that somehow Daniel would win the favor of Parliament and be granted the right to remarry after the divorce. It seemed the stars would have to align perfectly in order for that to happen, and Charlotte wasn’t sure that was how the universe worked. If by some miracle it did work out that way, she was certain he would never receive his father’s blessing to marry her. It would be scandalous to be sure for them to wed so soon after the divorce, even if they could find a priest to perform the ceremony.

  Charlotte felt miserable rather than excited to be seeing her sister after almost a decade. She’d sent a messenger ahead to deliver the news of their impending arrival. She didn’t want Rebecca to be completely shocked when they showed up.

  Charlotte barely said or ate anything on day two. Even though she was feeling better physically, her mental state was deteriorating. She was so conflicted. She wanted Daniel to win the case so that they would eventually be together, but she worried still about what would happen to Sarah and the baby. These situations were more complicated for women than they were for men. His shame might fade after a year or two, but a divorced woman would be forever shunned from society. Somehow that didn’t seem right to Charlotte, even though the woman she was feeling sympathy for was the same one who stood in the way of Charlotte’s dreams coming true.

  Charlotte closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to the glass of the carriage. Daniel had spared no expense hiring their transportation. Charlotte had one bench all to herself, and Bitty had another. Charlotte felt bad for her companion. She was clearly excited to be traveling, most likely for the first time in her life, and Charlotte wasn’t any sort of company for her to keep and express her delight at the new sights to. Charlotte felt the sway of the carriage, then the whole carriage banged and her head bounced off the glass. She was jostled so violently in her seat, she thought perhaps the carriage would topple over. As it was, it was listing sideways something frightful. Bitty reached over, opened the latch on the door, and the two women stumbled out and looked around.

  “Maurice, what is it?” Charlotte asked their driver.

  “It’s not to fret, my Lady. One of the tires has given out in a pot hole in the road.” Maurice pointed to the front left tire. The carriage was resting on its axle, and the wheel was in splintered bits of wood underneath it.

  “Oh dear. Whatever shall we do now?” Charlotte asked him. It was only mid-afternoon, but the breeze out across the open moor was enough to put a chill in her bones.

  “I will unharness the horses, my Lady. They shouldn’t be put under the strain of the lopsided pressure of the carriage. Then I will run to town and fetch some help. You and Ms. Chauncy should remain here, as I don’t know the conditions of the road up ahead, but this way I can scout it out. I’ll bring help to change the wheel. There’s a spare harnessed underneath the carriage for such occasions. The problem is, I can’t lift the carriage myself. No matter. It will be sorted, Ms. Rose,” he explained, and then smiled.

  T climbed back in the carriage after he had unharnessed the horses. He led them off the side of the road so they might graze in the moor.

  “I’ll be back before nightfall, Ms. Rose. Do you know how to shoot a pistol?” he asked casually. Charlotte looked at him in horror, but Bitty held out her hand.

  “I do. If any highwaymen come our way, you’ll be the first to hear the shots ring out, Mr. Maurice,” Bitty told him. Maurice looked like God had sent him an angel as he handed over the pistol. Bitty laid it gently on top of the folds of her skirt. Charlotte regarded the pistol cautiously, but then decided she was glad Bitty knew how to use it if necessary. If they were to be accustomed to caring for themselves, they might as well know how to protect themselves too.

  After Maurice left, Charlotte and Bitty sat in silence for a while and then Charlotte said, “what do you think of moving here? To Wales I mean, if…if well…”

  “If things don’t work out how you hope they will?” Bitty’s voice was gentle and Charlotte looked up into her wise face.

  “Yes,” she whispered. She hadn’t wanted to admit it, but traveling out to Wales felt a awful lot like running away. She wondered if that had been her underlying intention all along. It was ironic, the way she and Daniel took turns running from one another. He’d stopped writing so that she could move on and hoped the distance would not hurt her. She wondered if she was doing the same thing to him now. Avoiding him would never sort anything out, but she was just so tired of fixing things and hoping for the best. Charlotte decided that she needed to push thoughts of Daniel, the ton, and the drama out of her mind for now. She was coming out to Wales purely for the purpose of visiting her sister.

  Bitty didn’t say anything further about the matter and they sat in silence waiting for Maurice to return. He wasn’t gone long, for which Charlotte was grateful. When he returned, he had three gentlemen with him to help fix the broken carriage wheel. By the time they were done, it was nearly dark. Charlotte insisted the men ride back with them to the town. They rode up on the seat and clung to the stoop of the carr
iage, not daring to get inside and sit despite the fact that Charlotte told them that there was plenty of room. She discovered they were only a couple of miles from the town, and when they arrived she paid them for their services whilst she and Bitty rented a room for the night.

  The next day wasn’t far to reach Wales and the town of Cardiff where Rebecca and Matthew lived. Maurice rode a bit slower than before, which was fine with Charlotte. She didn’t fancy having another broken carriage wheel, and all too soon they pulled up outside the apothecary. Charlotte was just stepping down out of the carriage when her older sister, Rebecca opened the door and came to greet her.

  Chapter 9

  Rebecca welcomed both she and Bitty with open hospitality. “Charlotte, you should have told me you were coming!” she cried.

  Rebecca was slightly bigger than Charlotte with flaxen hair and eyes that were a darker grey than her own. She ushered them inside and asked Maurice to have the luggage taken around back. Their apartments were above the shop, and Charlotte and Bitty would each have a room to themselves.

  “Your Matthew does quite well for himself,” Charlotte remarked as they were given a tour around the shop and the apartments.

  “Oh yes, he’s been in the business for a couple of decades now, Charlotte.” Rebecca smiled at her. She still felt the strain of formality from Rebecca, perhaps because they hadn’t seen one another in so long. But Charlotte was hoping with a little time that might dissolve.

  “You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Davenport,” Bitty exclaimed.