Page 134 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“For goodness’ sake, Simon. Say it!”

Before Simon could force out whatever had him so upset, a carriage pulled up.

Charlotte squinted at the crest adorning the door of the fine vehicle, both announcing the occupant’s importance. She sucked in a breath, and her hand reached out for Simon’s, squeezing his fingers in a vise-like grip.

A liveried servant jumped down from his post behind the carriage, opened the door, and lowered the step.

And Edgerton descended.

Simon startledat Charlotte’s stricken expression, the death grip of her fingers crushing his. He turned to see what had captured her attention and cursed. “What the deuce is he doing here?”

“Whatever it is, it can’t be good.” Charlotte released his hand and strode forward.

“Wait!” Simon called. “Make him come to us.”

When she returned next to him, Simon wrapped a possessive arm around her waist and tugged her close. “A united front.”

She nodded, but her muscles were like granite against his palm.

Edgerton gazed around, his nose high in the air as if he were sniffing them out, the moment clear when his eyes finally locked on them.

Simon’s grip tightened around Charlotte’s waist. Ice crystalized in his veins at what she must have endured as that miserable wretch’s sister. He didn’t want to imagine. But he would protect her if it killed him.

Lord, but the thought of dying was even more distasteful now that he was in love. And he hadn’t even had the chance to tell her.

Damnation, Edgerton.The man’s timing was abominable.

Edgerton stood still, no doubt expecting them to come bowing and scraping in front of him. When it became clear in hisrepugnant mind that Charlotte would stand her ground, Edgerton slithered forward.

Moonlight at his back cast him in shadows like a specter, his expression indiscernible.

More the better.

Simon had no desire to experience his brother-in-law’s sinister gaze more than necessary. Yet that same moonlight illuminated both him and Charlotte.

“Smile,” he whispered from the corner of his mouth. “It will confuse him.”

Although Charlotte’s effort fell short of the easy smiles she’d graced him with most of the day, Simon was proud of her attempt.

It proved effective as Edgerton jerked to a halt.

“Edgerton!” Simon threw his free arm out in greeting. “So glad you could join us. Hasn’t Charlotte done a magnificent job organizing our celebration?”

Edgerton’s dark eyes bored into Simon, then, without further acknowledgement, turned his attention to Charlotte. “I’ve come to take you home. Surely, you’ve come to your senses and are finished with thisnonsense.” He punctuated the last word with a glance toward Simon. “I’ll have your sham of a marriage annulled, and you can marry Lord Felix as planned.”

Simon’s warrior wife’s spine stiffened under his palm. “Under no circumstances will I marry Felix. I would rather die than be forced into such a marriage.”

Perhaps the darkness played tricks on Simon’s eyes, but he swore Edgerton’s shoulders slumped. More importantly, Charlotte’s words bounced off Edgerton and landed squarely in Simon’s chest, knocking the air from his lungs.

Did she really prefer death to being trapped into marriage?

“And yet, you were.” Delivered cooly, the icy truth of Edgerton’s statement drew Simon back, driving the painful words home.

He wanted to shout,That was different!But was it really? Oh, he would never strike Charlotte, but hadn’t he harmed her by taking away her choice—her control? If anyone would protest Edgerton’s accusation, it must come from Charlotte.

Thick, foul bile rose in his throat, the fear rising as seconds ticked by without Charlotte’s rebuttal when she stiffened before him.

She did feel trapped, helpless, like a trout caught on a lure and scooped unwillingly into a net. And if he loved her, he should release her to swim free.

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