Page 31 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

Frannie, the middle sister, stood off to the side. Simon pulled her forward. “Don’t be shy, Frannie. Charlotte doesn’t bite.” He delivered one of his devilish winks. “Much.”

Charlotte decided she liked Frannie, who seemed to be the one calm port in the storm of Beckhams. Quiet and reserved, Frannie seemed to take in everything around her as if she were collecting it for future use. “Simon says your brother is a marquess.”

Oh, she really didn’t want to talk about Roland, especially after what he did to her gowns. But she also didn’t want to be rude to the girl. “Yes. The Marquess of Edgerton.”

Mr. Beckham stiffened. His head jerked toward Simon, then to his wife, his eyes questioning.

Simon shifted, his usual carefree demeanor vanishing. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Um. I may have failed to provide that one little detail.”

The mood in the room changed in an instant, and the entire Beckham family—moments ago warm and gregarious—appeared uncomfortable.

Guilt by association. Over the years, Charlotte had grown accustomed to the feeling. She turned toward Simon. “Perhaps I should excuse myself and allow you time with your family in private. I didn’t mean to intrude.” As if she wasn’t already aware, Simon’s family’s reactions confirmed it.

The marriage was destined for disaster.

Silence fell over the group—taut and awkward.

A footman and maid appeared with trays of tea and sandwiches.

Quiet Frannie spoke up. “She can’t help who she’s related to.” She took Charlotte’s hand, and although Charlotte’s first reaction was to pull away, she resisted. “Stay, Lady Charlotte, and have refreshment with us.”

The girl’s blue eyes, lined with thick dark lashes, so like her brother’s, met Charlotte’s with a sharp understanding. Charlotte found such unexpected kindness overwhelming. She really needed to remove herself from the situation.

Before she could open her mouth and make her apologies, acommotion arose from deep in the house. Voices grew closer, and Burwood barreled into the room. Moments later, Honoria waddled in behind him. Charlotte worried she would have the baby on the spot.

“Drake!” Simon threw his hands out as if he’d expected the duke.

Honoria’s gaze slipped between Charlotte, Simon, and his family, her face a mask of concern. She stepped close to Charlotte and whispered, “Has the wedding occurred already?”

Charlotte shook her head. “It’s tomorrow. My condolences about Lady Compton. But you shouldn’t have left on our account.”

“There wasn’t anything else I could do. I felt so helpless. Simon’s letter gave me purpose.”

“It’s not your mess to clean up.”

Honoria’s brows lifted. “A mess? Simon was vague in his letter.” Honoria’s gaze darted toward Simon, who had pulled Burwood into a fierce hug. “What happened?”

Charlotte nodded toward Simon’s family, who had seemed to forget about her and were greeting Burwood. “Not now in front of his family. I was just trying to extricate myself when you arrived.”

“Food!” Burwood exclaimed and plucked a sandwich from the tray. “I’m famished. We hurried back as soon as we received your letter, Simon.”

Honoria gazed at her husband with so much love, Charlotte had to look away. “You would think he was the one feeding two people.”

A sandwich half-shoved in his mouth, the duke turned and hurried to Honoria’s side, wrapping an arm around her waist. He swallowed with a gulp. “I’m an insensitive dolt. Do you want a sandwich?”

“No. I want to be introduced to our guests and then go upstairs with Lady Charlotte. My back hurts from our journey.”

Charlotte waited while Simon made the introductions, reassured that Honoria had made the perfect excuse for her exit.

“You will stay with us, of course. I’ll tell Frampton to prepare rooms. Now, if you would all excuse me.” Honoria took Charlotte’s arm and led her out of the room.

When they were at the staircase, Honoria leaned in. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

“Let’s get you upstairs first and settled. This is going to take a while.”

As Georgie attacked a cucumber sandwich,and Simon’s other sisters and mother prepared tea, Drake pulled him by the elbow. “What the blazes, Simon? I’m barely gone two weeks, and you decide to get married. Did you finally come to your senses and admit your feelings for Lady Charlotte?”

“What feelings? Loathing? Annoyance? The way she drains all the joy from a room?”

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