Page 19 of Married to the Rake

Slowing as she reached the border fence, she closed her eyes briefly. In her haste to leave she had not even written the letter. What a fool she was. This whole situation was becoming a disaster. What was she thinking, imagining they could repair the relationship between their fathers? And why was she thinking she could work with Mr. Waverley of all people? He was too handsome, too charming. Not that she wanted to admit that to herself, however, there was no avoiding the matter. She had actually…enjoyed herself last night. She had never enjoyed a ball in her life before.

As she turned around, her gaze caught on a slip of white jammed into a crack in the fence. Surely he had not had time to get a letter to her already? Was he not attending his father’s bedside?

Glancing around and feeling ridiculous—for who on earth would be out there spying on her?—she snatched the letter and held it close as she peeled it open. She had never seen Mr. Waverley’s handwriting before but the letter looked rushed.

Her heart gave a little stutter at the words.Meet me at midnight.

She stuffed the letter in the pocket of her pelisse and hurried back to the house, her cheeks feeling hot against the cool air outside. She needed to get control of herself before her friends arrived. After all, there was nothing sordid about their meeting. Likely he wanted to update her about his father and perhaps arrange further plans. She had to believe his father was recovering or else he would not be taking the time to leave a letter for her so soon.

So, it was all practically business. Nothing for her to get hot and flustered about.

Even once Augusta and Grace had arrived, heat seemed to linger in her face. She had slipped the letter from her pocket and tucked it into the bodice of her stays. It seemed as safe a place as any but it made her all too aware of Mr. Waverley’s words next to her skin—as though he was somehow touching her.

Joanna gave her a pointed look as they sat down in the drawing room. “Are you quite well, Chloe? You look a little flushed.”

“Oh yes.” Chloe nodded vigorously. “Quite well. I…I am just a little tired after the ball last night.”

“Oh yes, this ball. How did it go?” Joanna asked. “Did you find a library to hide away in?”

“I am not at all sorry I missed out on it.” Augusta took a sip of tea. “But I am sorry we were not there for you.”

Chloe waved a hand. “Oh, I managed quite well. I even…well, I even danced once.”

Augusta choked on her tea. She lowered the cup while Joanna patted her on the back. “You danced?”

Chloe nodded and wondered if she should not have said a word. These were her friends and keeping secrets from them did not sit well but talking of Mr. Waverley made her feel strange and squishy inside.

“Only once,” she repeated. “It was for good reason too.”

“Was it a handsome man who asked you?” Joanna pressed.

“No. Well, yes. But there was another reason.”

Augusta leaned forward. “And are you going to tell us that reason?”

Chloe drew in a long breath and held it for a moment. Why was this so hard? They would understand why she was doing what she was doing. The whole reason she was friends with these two was because they were the least judgmental women she had ever met. They would not be scandalized or tell others of her meetings with Brook.

“It was with Mr. Brook Waverley,” she said simply.

“As in the Waverleys with whom your family has a long-standing disagreement?” Joanna’s dark eyebrow lifted.

“As in Mr. Brook Waverley, the man you ran away from not so long ago?” Augusta asked.

Sighing, Chloe reached for a slice of fruit cake and took a bite. She was not really hungry, especially for such a rich cake but she needed a moment to gather herself.

“One and the same,” she said after she finished her mouthful. “We have a plan, you see.”

“A plan?” Joanna echoed.

“Indeed.” Chloe swiftly swiped any crumbs from the corners of her mouth. “We wish to put an end to the argument between our fathers.”

Augusta leaned forward. “Exactly whose idea was this?”

“Well, it was Mr. Waverley’s,” Chloe admitted.

Joanna and Augusta shared a look. Chloe frowned. “What is it?”

“Well, we could not help but notice how he looked at you in the bookshop.” Joanna shrugged.

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