Page 52 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

Still, Charlotte couldn’t help but compare Drake’s devotion to Honoria and even Mr. Beckham’s attentiveness to his wife and daughters to her own situation. She’d had Frampton lay a place at supper for Simon, should he return.

His seat remained empty, and as she gazed across the expanse of the table at the vacant spot, her thoughts drifted to their game of vingt-et-un.

And to the kiss.

Unbidden, she touched her palm where his lips had lingered.

Ninny! She must desist such foolishness forthwith. It would only lead to heartache.

An incongruous laugh escaped at the thought. Did she even have a heart any longer, or had she buried it so deep as to be irretrievable?

Beth’s spoon of syllabub hovered at her lips. “What is it?”

“Pardon?”

“You laughed. What’s funny?” Beth’s spoon completed the trajectory to her mouth.

“Your brother.” A mild untruth. And Simonhadprecipitated the line of thought leading to her ill-timed laugh.

Beth appeared unconvinced. “He does make everyone smile.”

Not everyone. His flippant manner and hollow compliments vexed her. Was there a shred of sincerity and genuineness in the man? Or was it all one big game? When things grew serious or difficult, he turned tail and ran away. Her attention snagged on the empty plate.

He should be here. With his family. With his friend.

With me.

“Simon suggested we spend some time at your estate, Mr. Beckham. He mentioned a cottage there previously used by your mother.”

With a mouthful of dessert, Georgie exclaimed, “Oh, yes. Please come. I can show you my favorite hiding places.”

“Georgie.” Mrs. Beckham lifted a castigatory brow. “Don’t speak with your mouth full.”

Charlotte chuckled softly to herself. She might need to hide from Simon.

Before Charlotte could answer the girl, Rebecca sent her sister a chastising glance. “Simon and Lady Charlotte will want to be alone. Not pestered by an obnoxious twelve-year-old.”

“I amnotobnoxious.” Georgie sent a pleading look to her mother. “Am I?”

“Only on days ending in y,” Beth said.

At first Georgie nodded, her dark curls bobbing, then her eyes widened. “Oh, you!” She glowered at her sister.

“Georgie, I’m certain I will be able to spare time away from Simon long enough for you to show me around.”Especially if Simon deserts me as he did this evening.

Georgie stuck her tongue out at Rebecca and then Beth, which earned her another reprimand from her mother.

“If you would all excuse me, I’m rather tired. It has been a most eventful day.” She placed the serviette next to her plate. “Please, feel free to gather in the drawing room after supper.”

When she rose, Mr. Beckham followed suit, approaching and touching her arm. “Don’t be too hard on him when he returns, my dear. His actions may seem selfish and uncaring, but Simon never did well when his mother delivered. The cries of pain become too much for him, I’m afraid. Then when Simon was fifteen, Judith lost a baby eighteen months before Georgie was born. The boy came too early and didn’t survive.” Mr. Beckham’s eyes grew misty, and he wiped at them hastily. “Our little Alexander. A difficult time for all of us, Simon most of all. I thought he would lose his mind when Georgie was being born.”

Oh, poor Simon. Poor Judith. Poor Mr. Beckham. “I’m so sorry.”

Charlotte had her doubts about her husband, but Mr. Beckham’s news explained Simon’s terrified reaction. Still, she worried about where he had gone. She forced a weak smile. “I shall do my best to be a good wife to him, sir. However, my husband must also keep his own promises.”

As she exited the dining room, Georgie’s voice rose in the quiet. “Oh, Simon’s in trouble now.”

Unbidden, a genuine smile tugged at Charlotte’s lips.

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