Page 50 of Touched By a Traitor
“That is genius!” Murphy exclaimed, his eyes alight with admiration.
“Impressive, indeed. This is precisely the reason why I invested in you, Carlisle. Your scheming brain always stays ahead of us, but within the legal realm,” Rogers said.
In truth, Andrew had not been thinking at all, but now he saw how publicly ruining Charlotte might force the king and Chatham to withdraw their support for her.
“Well, I think you have given us renewed confidence, Carlisle,” Collins said, placing a gentle touch on Andrew’s shoulder.
“If this had been your plan all along, why drag my daughter into the talk of matrimony?” Wilson’s countenance was rosy with anger.
“Leave that discussion for another day, Wilson. The man can hardly speak,” Collins chided.
Except for Wilson, the men left in excellent spirits, chatting animatedly about the brilliance of the Earl of Carlisle. Andrew felt like a piece of dung, his stomach churning with guilt and regret. His intention had been sincere, but in the aftermath of that error in judgment, he realized he had to choose between herhappiness and his own, her career or his company, for they could not exist simultaneously.
Before he could progress further in his thoughts, the door slammed open, causing him to flinch at the pounding in his ears.
“What did you tell them?” Daisy’s voice was angry, her eyes flashing with fury. “I heard them say your scheme was brilliant. What are they talking about?”
He exhaled, which was likely his last breath before Daisy chewed him up and spat him out.
“I’m marrying… Morton.”
He nervously watched his sister’s pensive and stoic face, knowing she was too smart to be overjoyed without probing for answers.
She narrowed her eyes, her gaze piercing through him. “Why?”
“I… like her.” His words sounded feeble, but they were true.
Her eyes narrowed even further, her suspicion growing with each passing moment. “But why?”
“Smart… kind… brave…” His words came out in short, painful bursts.
“I’m not convinced you were so in love with her that you would publicly ruin her. You hardly even know her. I think you’re trying to do your shareholders’ bidding and destroy her.”
He exhaled deeply, partly frustrated by his slow speech and partly to buy more time. Just before he kissed her, he had been so crazed that all he could think of was she belonged to him, no one else. What he couldn’t recall was whether he’d been aware that kissing her might destroy her career.
“No. I shall… apologize… go to her.”
Daisy didn’t look as pleased as he thought she would. He had even expected her to compliment him for his sense of duty.
“If the duke wishes to still marry her, you ought to let him,” she said.
His body went rigid, shooting pain through his head and neck. “No.”
“He has more influence and can better protect her should she wish to continue her important work. You must let her.”
“No.”
“She isn’t one of the stocks you buy and trade at a whim. She is a person, and you ought to respect her wishes. Do not force her hand, Andrew. Not in this.”
“She is… Charlotte.”
“What?”
“Charlotte… my garden…”
Daisy’s eyes widened and her mouth opened agape. She plopped into a chair beside the bed. “She’s that Charlotte?”
“Yes.”
