Page 81 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

Gently taking Charlotte’s arm, Simon leaned down and whispered, “After my parents coddle you, would you like a tour of the estate before I take you to the cottage?”

Eagerness shone in her dark eyes. “That would be lovely. Just to acquaint myself with it, of course.”

He bit back the smile. “Of course. Wouldn’t want you to get lost. Frannie would have my head.”

So quick, had he not been looking, he would have missed it, but the dimple dented her cheek in full measure as she laughed. He promised himself that dimple would be next on his list of places to kiss.

He only glanced at the clock on the mantle seventeen times as his parents and sisters enquired about their journey and asked Charlotte what they could do to make her more comfortable during their stay.

“I’ve had the servants air out the cottage,” his mother said. “You’re welcome to say here with us in the main house, but newly wed couples need their privacy.”

Georgie made a gagging sound, and Charlotte’s dimple popped again.

He would really have to kiss it soon, and as he envisioned the tour of the property, he knew the perfect place to accomplish his mission.

“Simon. Simon?” his mother’s voice jolted him from the enticing daydream.

“I promise I will, Mother.”

Georgie giggled, Rebecca’s eyes widened, Beth cast a glance toward Charlotte, Frannie groaned, and Kate rolled her eyes.

“What?” he asked.

The gleam in Charlotte’s eyes indicated whatever had been said, she was about to make good use of it at Simon’s expense. “Your mother was saying you become so distracted at times, racing from one thing to the next, she hopes you won’t abandon me in the hedge maze.”

“Oh. Um.” An unexpected burst of heat crept up his neck to his ears. He was thinking about the hedge maze, but abandoning Charlotte was the last thing he’d imagined.

“Which is why you should take me along,” Georgie said. “When I was five, Simon left me in there. It took me hours to find my way out. After that, Papa went with me, and I learned every exit possible.”

“It’s true,” his father said. “If there were a race to find a way out, Georgie would win every time.”

Everyone laughed at the memory—except Charlotte. Knives shot from her murderous glare, aimed straight for his heart. But when she turned toward Georgie, an unfamiliar expression crossed her face. Compassion. Concern. The urge to defend and protect.

“I didn’t do it on purpose!” It was wrong of him, of course, but explaining his reason to Charlotte was out of the question.

“You left a child alone!” The ire in Charlotte’s voice made the hair on his arms stand at attention.

Sitting next to Charlotte, Georgie placed a hand on Charlotte’s arm. “Don’t be angry with him. He didn’t mean to. I’ve forgiven him, and it helped me overcome my fear of being alone.”

“Georgie gets that ability to view things from the bright side from Simon,” Rebecca said.

“Hmm.” Charlotte clearly still had reservations. The prospectof stealing that kiss became a little more challenging. But that wouldn’t stop him.

He waited precisely seven more minutes to allow Charlotte’s anger to cool. “Shall we take that tour? We can end at the cottage and get settled.”

Georgie popped up from the sofa. “Let me come along!”

“Georgie, your brother and Charlotte prefer to be alone.” The gleam in his mother’s eyes spoke of something entirely different from what he’d seen in Charlotte’s—no doubt visions of grandchildren took center stage.

“We would love to have you with us, Georgie,” Charlotte said.

“Charlotte’s being polite.” Simon rose and met his wife’s gaze, knowing full well she was being nothing of the sort. “We absolutely wouldnotlove to have you with us. You can show Charlotte your favorite haunts later.” He held out his arm to his wife. “Shall we?”

As he led Charlotte from the drawing room, a feminine sigh rose from behind. Either his mother, or possibly one of his older sisters, expected the tour to culminate into something amorous.

Simon merely hoped to keep his head on his shoulders.

At least long enough to get that kiss.

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