Page 56 of Affair

“Yes, he is. And a perfect gentleman. I only wish I could have danced every waltz with him. But that would have caused gossip, of course.”

“Of course.”

“He went off to his club around three so I did not see him after that.”

The happy excitement in Ariel’s eyes worried Charlotte for some reason. She was not certain what to say. She did not even know if she ought to say anything. Her sister was a sensible young woman, far more levelheaded than most her age. This experience of the Season was precisely what she had wished for Ariel. Surely there was no harm in encouraging her to enjoy herself. The adventure would end all too soon.

It occurred to Charlotte that she could give herself the same advice. A pleasant warmth suffused her whole body as memories of the passionate embrace returned. The prospect of an affair with Baxter compelled her imagination.

And then she recalled how cool and remote he had been when he had asked her to become his paramour, how he had deliberately seduced her on the sofa while holding himself in check.

She had been the subject of an experiment last night, Charlotte reminded herself. She did not care for the feeling.

Mrs. Witty stuck her head into the morning room. “A lady to see you, Miss Charlotte. Says she’s here on urgent business.”

“A client?” Charlotte glanced at the clock and frowned. “It’s only eleven. I do not have any appointments until this afternoon.”

“Could be this particular client is a bit more desperate than most.” Mrs. Witty raised her brows. “She appears to be in immediate need of a husband, if you take my meaning.”

Charlotte was startled. “Do you mean she’s increasing?”

“Pregnant as a ewe in spring,” Mrs. Witty said cheerfully. “If I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t be wastin’ any time making inquiries into the background of any man who’d made an offer. I’d take him up on it before he could change his mind.”

Ariel looked up. “I could interview her if you like, Charlotte.”

Mrs. Witty looked at Charlotte. “She specifically asked for you, Miss Charlotte. Said she couldn’t talk to anyone else.”

“Show her into the study, Mrs. Witty.” Charlotte rose from the table. “Tell her that I shall join her presently.”

“Yes, Miss Charlotte.” Mrs. Witty started to withdraw.

“One more thing,” Charlotte said quickly. “I have a favor to ask of you, Mrs. Witty. We know that Mrs. Heskett’s staff was out of the house on the night of the murder but I wonder if it might be worth a chat with her housekeeper. She may be able to tell us something of her employer’s plans for that evening. Do you think you could locate her?”

Mrs. Witty nodded. “I’ll have a go at it.”

“I shall be in here if you need me, Charlotte.” Ariel went back to the sideboard to refill her plate. “Lady Trengloss says that I am to fortify myself for tonight’s round of social affairs. She claims that the Season requires a lady to have stamina.”

“Lady Trengloss is no doubt an authority on the subject.”

Charlotte went out the door and down the hall. She paused in front of the mirror to make certain that she presented a professional, competent appearance and then she walked into the study.

The lady seated in front of the desk appeared to be about Charlotte’s age. She was quite pretty, with light brown hair and soft features.

She was also quite pregnant. A blue pelisse was stretched taut over a high, rounded belly.

“Miss Arkendale?” The woman looked at Charlotte with anxious eyes much reddened from recent tears.

“Yes.” Charlotte gave the woman a reassuring smile as she gently closed the study door. “I’m afraid that my housekeeper did not supply me with your name.”

“Because I did not give it to her.” The woman dabbed at her eyes with a damp handkerchief. “My name is Juliana Post. And I am here because I heard rumors that you were engaged to Mr. Baxter St. Ives. Is it true?”

Charlotte halted midway across the study. “Why, yes. Why do you ask?”

Juliana began to sob into her handkerchief. “Because I was his last paramour. It is his babe I carry. His bastard. Baxter has left me a ruined woman, Miss Arkendale. I thought you should know what sort of man he is.”

Dumbfounded, Charlotte stared at Juliana’s bent head. “What on earth are you saying?”

“He promised me marriage, Miss Arkendale.” Juliana rose to her feet. “He said we would be wed. That is how he convinced me to submit to his embraces. But when he learned that I was pregnant, he cast me off. I have no family. I do not know what will become of me.”

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