Page 73 of A Lady's Wager
“I can understand why you despise my family so much.”
“Mine was not entirely innocent in the matter,” Lord Tarrant generously added. His shoulders squared a moment later. “What was it you did when you learned of the wager?”
It would be hypocritical of him to be dishonest with the gentleman after he’d been so forthcoming. “At first I hoped to delay any suitors from successfully pressing their suit. Delay, you understand, not prevent or discourage. But then I discovered that the gentlemen who were closest to success were unlikely to be a good match for her. She didn’t smile when they were nearby or seem delighted to spot their arrival. She didn’t seem to miss them when they left. And nothing in her interaction with them gave me the least reason to think Lady Charlotte would actually be happy if married to either one of them, and I couldn’t bear that thought.”
The earl watched him in silence.
“The wager quickly slipped quite low on my list of concerns. She deserves to be happy every bit as much as your sister did. I need those £1000; I’ll not deny that. But I would give up everypenny I do have if it meant she didn’t have to flee London and hide herself away for the rest of her life. She deserves better.”
“Do you?” the earl pressed.
“Life has dealt me an unfair hand, and there is little I can do about that. Unless, of course, someone else places an irresponsible wager and makes me the recipient of another fortune.” He tried to smile, but the expression slipped away almost immediately.
Charlotte was not the focus of the insulting wager, which he was grateful for. And this conversation might very well save her from an unhappy match, which set his mind at ease. But he now had no hope whatsoever of obtaining the money he needed to undo the damage his grandfather had done. And that ended what little chance he had of building a life with the lady he’d come to love.
He stood even as his heart dropped to his feet. “Perhaps making certainLady Charlotte is treated with greater respect and consideration than your sister was, will allow us to atone in some small way for the treatment Lady Tottie experienced at the hands of our predecessors.”
Julian left the earl to ponder that. He, himself, couldn’t manage any thought beyond the unshakable realization that happiness had been within his grasp—and he’d lost it.
JULIAN FELT IT BEST TOmake certain Charlotte understood the reality of their situation. He’d not begun their interaction on a foundation of candor, and he regretted that. The presentation of his calling card at her London residence was answered by the butler with instructions from Lady Charlotte that he be shown to the back garden. It was a reasonable way for her to receive him despite both of them being unwed and unrelated to each other.
He made his way there and found Charlotte standing amongst the honeysuckle and climbing roses. Her eyes lit as he approached. He imagined his did as well despite having arrived to deliver unfortunate news.
“Charlotte.” Her name emerged softer than he’d intended, but his heart was heavy.
“You seem upset.”
He took gentle hold of her hand, grateful they had enough privacy to allow the gesture while also being enough in public to avoid scandal. “I feel like we’ve had this conversation before.”
“We have, though it was you who comforted me at the lending library when I was upset.”
“I fear, though I know you will try, that there will be little comfort to be had once I tell you the source of my distress.” Heset his other hand atop hers, cradling it between both of his. “I have learned that the wager we were depending upon to delay your nuptials and set my finances to rights is, in actuality, an old one involving a different Lady Charlotte and a different Lord Wesley. There is no forfeit to be had.”
A string of expressions passed over her features as she sorted out what he had revealed. “My aunt Tottie?” she finally guessed aloud.
He nodded. “And my grandfather.”
Charlotte pressed her free hand to her heart. “Poor Tottie.”
Julian set their entwined hands againsthisheart. “I will do all I can to continue helping you to avoid whatever unwanted matches your father might press on you, of course.”
“Any match my father might press on me would be unwanted.” She sighed. “He’s already told me that he considers you unsuitable.”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “I cannot say that I blame him, and I wish I knew how to change his mind.”
“So do I.” She closed the distance between them and leaned against him.
Julian set his arms around her. He likely would never be granted the opportunity again. How quickly he’d fallen in love with her. And how quickly that had fallen apart. He kissed her temple, closing his eyes in a vain attempt to prolong the moment.
Fate seemed inclined to undermine them: footsteps sounded on the path nearby.
Charlotte slipped back and out of his arms, looking as disappointed as he felt.
It was the earl who came into sight a moment later, and he didn’t appear the least surprised to see them there. Perhaps this location was not as private as he’d thought, despite the climbing roses and honeysuckle creating a bit of seclusion.
“Lord Wesley,” the earl said as he walked past, “I thought I might find you here.”
“Did you?” He had not indicated any intention to come to this house after his time spent at the club.
