Page 64 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

Charlotte reconsidered the bookish redhead. With her intelligence, she might prove to be a valuable ally. When she and Simon returned from their wedding trip, Charlotte would speak to Honoria about inviting Lady Montgomery into the League.

“If you are in contact with your brother Lord Nash, please tell him how much I am enjoying the Broadwood. I hope he was able to purchase another piano in America. I never told him, but he is quite talented.”

Charlotte blinked at the kindness. “I will, Lady Montgomery. Nash will be pleased his cherished instrument is in such capable hands.”

Laurence tipped his hat. “Well, we should be off. I’m anxious to get Bea home. In fact . . .” He swooped her up again, eliciting a squeal from his wife, and raced off, carrying her.

Charlotte shook her head. “They are a strange couple.”

Simon nodded, his eyes growing distant as he watched them. “And in love.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “What was that about a Broadwood?”

“When my brother left for America, he sold his piano to Lord Montgomery, who planned to give it to his wife for their anniversary.”

“She does play prodigiously well. As I understand from my mother, so do you.”

“Not as well as Lady Montgomery or my brother Nash. Both make the keys come to life.”

“Unlike Georgie, who makes them cry in pain?”

She laughed again. A momentous day. Reluctantly, sheadmitted she could get used to her husband’s sense of humor. Goodness, she was growing soft.

When he held out his arm again, she took it immediately. The sun had set fully, and men climbed ladders, lighting the last of the gas lamps along Grosvenor Square.

A sense of peace enveloped her in the quiet stillness of the evening, and Simon’s arm, firm and strong beneath her hand, seemed right and true.

“Charlotte,” Simon said, shaking her from her sentimental reverie.

She jerked toward him. “Hmm?”

His smile was gentle, void of any teasing at her distractedness. “Do we have a chance?”

Blink.

“What?”

Unusual seriousness painted his face. “You said you promised Honoria to give me a chance. I simply want to know if you believe you can. I’m not asking for love; I’m not that naïve. Can you tolerate me enough to not shrink from my touch?”

She shook her head and huffed a sigh. “I’m touching you now, aren’t I?”

“You know what I mean. Are we going to discuss last night?”

No.“You took me by surprise. Give me fair warning if you’re going to manhandle me again.”

“Are you speaking of last night or the puddle?”

“Both.”

A lopsided grin lifted his mouth at one corner. “I did ask you to put your arms around my neck. Not warning enough?”

Pressing her lips together, she almost bit her tongue to keep from railing at him. Shedidpromise Honoria. “You promised not to force me. Last night . . .”

“My playfulness frightened you, and I’m sorry.”

Playfulness. Is that what he called it?

“But I can’t help but wonder.” He looked away for a moment,and when he turned back, he was all seriousness. “Did Davies do more than strike you?”

The words knotted in her throat. “He tried. Once. I would prefer not to speak of it.”

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