Page 113 of Affair

“Bloody hell.” Baxter glanced over his shoulder. Hamilton and Ariel stood just behind him. He could only hope they had not overheard the conversation. “Time. Yes. We must be off.”

“Baxter.” Charlotte touched his arm again. “You will remember your promise to call upon me later this evening.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll stop by on the way home to give you a full account.” He nodded brusquely to Ariel and turned to make his way through the crowd toward the entrance.

Hamilton raised one faintly derisive brow and then paused to bend gallantly over both Charlotte’s and Ariel’s hands. They curtsied gracefully.

Baxter stifled a groan. He would only make himself look ridiculous if he turned back now to attempt a more charming leave-taking, he thought.

Hamilton leaned against the green velvet squabs of his sleek, well-sprung carriage and eyed Baxter with amused eyes. “Why don’t you just come straight out and ask her to marry you?”

“What the devil are you talking about?” Baxter muttered.

“I heard enough of the conversation to conclude that you were trying to convince Charlotte to consider a proposal of marriage rather than a liaison. Why beat about the bush?”

“The nature of my association with Miss Arkendale is none of your concern.”

Hamilton idly examined his ebony walking stick. “As you wish.”

“Furthermore, if you dare to mention the wordliaisonin connection with her name again, I can guarantee that not only will you never take possession of your fortune, you will find yourself lacking several front teeth the next time you try to use your smile to charm a lady.”

“That serious, is it?”

“I suggest we change the subject.”

Hamilton shook his head. “You may be a man of science, brother, but you are hopelessly inept when it comes to dealing with the ladies. You should spend more time reading Shelley and Byron and less studying chemistry.”

“It’s a bit late to try to reshape my entire character. Not much point, in any event.”

“Why do you say that? It’s obvious Charlotte has atendrefor you.”

Baxter was annoyed by the spark of hope that flickered within him. “Do you think so?”

“No question about it.”

“She may care for me but I don’t believe that she cares for the notion of marriage.”

“Well, then, it’s up to you to convince her that marriage to you would be a sound decision.”

Baxter scowled. “That is precisely what I was trying to do when you interrupted me a few minutes ago.”

Hamilton gave him a knowing smile. “Father believed that I had a great deal to learn from you. But perhaps there are a few things that you could learn from me. Feel free to ask for my advice any time you require it.”

“We have a rather more pressing matter on our hands at the moment, in case it has slipped your mind.”

“It has not.”

“Did you bring your pistol?”

“Yes, of course.” Hamilton patted the pocket of his greatcoat. “Two of them, in fact. What about you?”

“I’ve never practiced enough to become a decent shot. I depend upon other tools.”

“What do you mean?”

Baxter removed one of the glass vials from his pocket. He held it out on his palm. “Items such as this.”

Hamilton looked intrigued. “What is it?”

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