Page 126 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“The Worm?” Georgie asked Charlotte.

“Lord Felix,” Charlotte answered. “Although he doesn’t deserve the honorific. He’s lower than a worm, but it’s the best I can do.” Charlotte turned her attention to him. “There is something about the article that is bothering me.”

Simon huffed. “Well, that’s obvious.”

She waved it away. “Not what you’re thinking. There’s a clue in there somewhere. I can feel it.”

Simon moved around, nudged Georgie away, and sat next tohis wife. “About the identity of the instigator ofthis?” He lifted the wadded-up gossip sheet.

Her eyes full of questions, his mother’s gaze bounced between him and Charlotte.

“May we tell Mother?” he asked. When Charlotte nodded, he proceeded. “Charlotte and her friends are on a mission to unmask the perpetrator.”

“Oooh. How exciting.” His mother straightened, and he could envision the wheels turning in her mind, no doubt hoping to become part of the quest. “And you think the article provides a clue?”

“Yes. It’s there, tickling my brain”—she motioned at her head—“but it’s eluding me. Why is there so much attention on us in the last few issues? It’s the height of the Season, and the other bits of gossip in that rag are benign reports. Who cares about Lord Middlebury’s gout?”

“Do you think the cad has a vendetta against us in particular?” Simon asked.

“I don’t know.” To her knowledge, the scandal sheet had not reported Simon’s impromptu visit to the gaming hell on their wedding night. Not that she wanted to mention that in front of Judith. “Judith, when did you receive the issue prior to this?”

Judith darted a chagrined glance toward Simon. “Right before we received word from Simon about your betrothal, the one we were discussing earlier.”

“And you receive every issue?”

“I will cancel, I promise.”

“It’s fine, Judith. No one is blaming you for the havoc this blackguard wreaks with his pen.” Charlotte pressed her lips together, frustrated the answer danced just beyond her reach.

“Perhaps you need a distraction. To clear your mind,” Simon said, waggling his brows.

Pink darkened Charlotte’s cheeks, and his mother lifted a hand to cover her mouth.

“What?” Georgie asked, her blue eyes narrowed.

“Never you mind.” Simon waved a finger at his sister before returning his attention to Charlotte. “What say you, Lady Wife? Would you care for a ride?”

Georgie’s body straightened to attention. “Can I come?”

“No,” both he and his mother said in unison.

“You are incorrigible,” Charlotte muttered.

Leaning in, he whispered, “And don’t forget. Insatiable.”

Eager to return to the cottage, Simon rose and offered his hand, pleased when Charlotte slipped hers into it willingly and—dare he hope—as anxious as he to be alone?

“Before you go,” his mother said, rising to bid them goodbye. “The town’s May Day celebration is two weeks from now. Everyone will expect you both, to wish you joy upon your marriage.”

“Not everyone,” Simon muttered, thinking of Samuel.

Charlotte glanced toward him. Then his goddess came to his rescue. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

The beam of joy on his mother’s face warmed his heart. “I hoped you would offer. I’m on the committee for food and decorations, and with old Mrs. Bailey’s rheumatism acting up, we’re short a person. Your experience among thetonwill surely give our yearly gathering a touch of elegance.”

“Mother is very proud of her part in things, but I think she’s right.”

“Well, I would be happy to assist. Besides”—she graced Simon with a mischievous grin that displayed her dimple—“I’ll need something to occupy myself while Simon is fishing.”

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