Page 42 of An Unwilling Earl
The other night Charlotte had been perfectly clear that she didn’t want her mother’s family involved in her life, but Jacob couldn’t help but think that the marquess was her best chance at starting anew. Becoming the ward of a respectable and powerful marquess was much better than sailing to America and teaching spoiled debutantes how to catch an English noble.
Their conversation from the night before had haunted him long into the night, and even when he’d fallen asleep, his dreams had been of dead women floating in the Thames, their heads bobbing along beside them.
Charlotte had been so contemplative and so disturbed. It was almost as if she knew more about the murders than he did. Charlotte’s remarkable observations on humanity intrigued him, and he’d found himself mulling it over. Such scrutiny could open doors that had never been open before. Imagine being able to interview such a person who killed like that? Imagine the data one could collect in order to stop such behavior? It was remarkable. Earth shattering.
A carriage rolled behind him, shaking him from his thoughts. If he didn’t move he was going to be late to his appointment with the marquess after the man’s secretary had been so kind as to squeeze him in.
He climbed the steps, trepidation dogging his heels. This was a bad idea.
Marry Miss Morris.
The door was opened by an aging butler who silently took Jacob’s coat and hat and led him to what appeared to be the marquess’s panel-lined office. An immense oak desk faced the door with a tall leather chair perched behind it. Windows looked out over the back garden. The room was distinctly male, comfortable and well lived-in.
The butler withdrew, leaving Jacob to wander around on his own. There were no papers on the desk, nothing to indicate that the marquess used this room for business. Jacob had learned that Chadley was married and had two almost-grown sons who were a bit younger than Charlotte. So the title was secure.
Lady Chadley was well thought of in Society, and they were always invited to the best balls and dinners.
What Jacob did not know was what Chadley thought of his sister Harriet running away to marry far beneath her and what he thought of his niece.
The door opened behind him, and the man himself entered. A tall fellow, neatly trim, impeccably dressed with blond hair almost the same color as Charlotte’s.
“Lord Ashland.”
“Lord Chadley, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”
“I confess I was curious as to why the newest earl wanted to see me so desperately.”
“It’s a rather odd mission.”
“Now you have me very curious.” Chadley circled behind his desk and motioned for Jacob to sit in one of the chairs that faced it.
He looked natural behind that desk, and it made Jacob wonder if he would ever feel natural in his new role as earl.
“How does it feel?” Chadley asked as if reading Jacob’s mind. “Being an earl.”
“Unexpected. I’m still becoming accustomed to it.”
Chadley grinned. “There’s no getting used to it, trust me.”
“I need to find my way.”
“We all do. I had my father to guide me, but I still feel like a fish out of water.” Chadley rested his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. “Now tell me what brings you here and how I can help?”
Jacob liked Chadley. He seemed a genuine character, and he made Jacob feel welcomed and an equal. Maybe this hadn’t been such a bad idea after all.
“I’ve come about Miss Charlotte Morris.”
There was a pause as if Chadley were running through a list of acquaintances trying to place a Miss Charlotte Morris, and then his brows furrowed.
“Harriet’s daughter?” he whispered.
Chapter Thirteen
“You didwhat?” Charlotte’s face lost all color when later that day Jacob told her he’d visited her uncle.
He hesitated before saying it again. “I visited Lord Chadley.”
“After I told you I didn’t want to talk to him?” There was more anger than hurt in her tone, which didn’t bode well for him.
