Page 4 of The Virgin Duchess

Charlotte groaned low, her head aching at the sound of Diedre’s voice cutting through her once blissful sleep. Suddenly, bright light cut into the room as well, and Charlotte flung herself away from it, burying her face in the pillow.

“Come now, my lady. You must be getting up.”

Diedre continued to open the drapes of Charlotte’s bedroom, and the Lady continued to moan over the loss of her sleep. After a moment, Charlotte flipped onto her back, smacking her arms down on the mattress as her maid flitted about the space like a pixie.

“Ugh,” she wined, “you simply couldn’t allow me another moment of rest? I am beyond exhausted.”

At once, the woman was seated beside her on the bed. When Charlotte dared to crack an eyelid to look at her, Diedre scowled from her loftier position.

“You have snuck out again. Haven’t you?”

Charlotte didn’t answer, remembering her run-in with her brother when she snuck back into the house, and she couldn’t hold Diedre’s irritated stare for another second.

“Ugh, mistress. You’ll be the death of me.” Her maid stole the covers from Charlotte’s legs, making her shiver. “What would your brother do if he found out? What would he do to me for allowing you to leave? I’ll lose my position.”

Well, I’ve actually seen what he would do, and it wasn’t all that bad, actually. Though being forbidden from leaving the house is a problem.

Sighing, Charlotte scrubbed a hand over her face before sitting up and offering Diedre a mournful smile.

“I am sorry, Diedre. I am. But you know that I have no choice. If Magnus will not see reason, which he has made abundantly clear, I am left with few other options.” She squeezed Diedre’s hand. “But I do not wish to worry you. And I am truly sorry for that.”

There was a slight pause where her maid simply eyed her, but then Diedre was off, scurrying about the room in order to getCharlotte ready for the day. As she practically dashed about the room, Charlotte watched as Diedre chose today’s dress for her and began to pour water from the pitcher into her wash basin.

“You cannot keep this up, mistress. The streets are more unsafe now. And after what happened with the Baron. How can you even think about going out there?”

“The Baron?” Charlotte furrowed her brow, scooting to the edge of her bed as Diedre approached with a new chemise and stays. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, of course. You have not yet heard as you have been asleep.” Diedre assisted Charlotte with removing the clothing she’d slept in and hurried her over toward the wash basin. “Late last night, your brother was alerted to a disturbance by constables. They informed His Grace that the Baron of Halfacre had just gone missing.”

Charlotte’s stomach dropped. The Baron, that was what her brother had been talking about last night. She’d not heard anything because it had just happened. But as if that weren’t enough of a revelation, Charlotte suddenly remembered the brief glimpse she’d gotten of Frederick’s opponent last night.

Blond hair, brown eyes…yes, that was him.

“The constables will be taking to the streets in droves now, mistress. If you sneak out again, you will surely be caught.”

Charlotte snapped her attention to Diedre, the unsettling thought still ringing loudly in her mind. The man with Frederick had been Baron Halfacre. She had no doubt about it.Lord above. What has Frederick done with him? I need to speak with him.

“I understand, Diedre. I…” Charlotte needed to speak to the man for herself, and she needed to smooth things over with her brother in order to do so. “Thank you. We shouldn’t dawdle. There is much to do today.”

At that, Charlotte worked with her maid to hurry through dressing. She was freshly clothed and presentable for the house in a matter of minutes. Her pulse too loud in her ears, Charlotte rushed out of her room and toward the stairs. Magnus would be in the breakfast room, and she would speak to him there before leaving.

If he allowed her to go.

Practically sprinting, Charlotte was down the stairs like a sudden storm. As she pulled herself around the corner of their hall to find Magnus in the breakfast room, she was forced into an abrupt stop.What on earth?

The Duke was standing in her front hall.

“Frederick?” Charlotte shook herself, clearing her throat as Diedre followed after her. “What are you doing here?”

Diedre stepped up alongside her, shooting Charlotte a stern glare. She quickly realized she had forgotten her manners, and Charlotte ducked into a hasty curtsey.

“Apologies, Your Grace. You startled me. How may I serve you this morning?” It was impossible to keep the disdain from her voice.

The Duke looked between her and her maid, no other indication that the man might be coming up with some con about why he was in the area. It undoubtedly had to do with the recent news of the Baron. Worse, Charlotte had to assume that he wished to reveal her outing last night to her brother.

“I have come to speak with Duke Aldsworth if possible. I apologize for not planning my arrival beforehand.”

Diedre curtsied softly before standing to address Frederick. “I will see if His Grace is available, L?—”

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