Page 30 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
Finally sensing the danger, the man took a step back, his mouth gaping and the color seeping from his face.
Flora pursed her lips, her eyes narrowed. “Pity.”
They cantered off, and Charlotte tucked her face into the Scotswoman’s back, unwilling to see what sort of punishment Duncan meted out to her father-in-law’s man. She didn’t care where they were going, only thankful Lady Flora was taking her away from danger.
Minutes clattered by with the horse hooves before the mare slowed her gait. She pulled her head up to see they’d entered the mews of a grand townhouse. She frowned, certain Lady Flora would bring her to the foundling home. Could the Scotswoman have brought her here to see her sacked in private? Had she discovered Mr. Townsend hunted her and maneuvered to separate her from the children?
She couldn’t blame her employer for doing what she needed to protect the children and the home’s prestige. Grief coalesced in her throat, and despite her efforts, she couldn’t swallow it down.
With her shoulders fallen in resignation, she allowed her superior to assist her down and followed her silently into the back entrance of the house. She held her tongue when Lady Flora bypassed the kitchens or the servants’ hall, and instead led her up the stairs and into a spacious drawing room. She encouraged Charlotte to sit in a narrow armchair under the windows before tracing back to the doorway to speak with a servant. She suspected the Scotswoman asked for word to be delivered to Little Windmill House with the reason for her absence, although she couldn’t be certain.
After the servant departed, Lady Flora shut the door and crossed to a sideboard on the other side of the room. Charlotte listened listlessly to thetingof clinking crystal and thepopof air that followed a stopper being released from a bottle.
The sounds seemed dulled. All of her senses were submerged in water, as if she saw and heard and felt from a great watery depth. Only when a glass filled with an amber liquid appeared in front of her face did she blink.
“Drink this,” Lady Flora demanded. After Charlotte grabbed the tumbler with a trembling hand, she plopped onto the settee across from her.
Charlotte raised the glass for sniff, and the overpowering fumes of alcohol made her eyes water. “It’s still the morning, my lady. I can’t drink this.”
“It doesn’t matter what the time is. I fear you’re going into shock. Drink it.”
Taking in the rigid set of the Scotswoman’s shoulders, Charlotte deflated. Tilting the glass, she swallowed the entirety of the liquor before collapsing back into her chair. The shocking burn shot fire through her blood, jolting her senses back to consciousness. She pressed a hand to her throat as she willed her body to accept the scalding tonic.
“Feel better?”
Charlotte licked her lips as tingles crept over her scalp. “I don’t know ifbetteris the word I’d use, but I’m no longer shaking.”
“A small victory to be sure.” Lady Flora slowly arched a brow. “Care to tell me what occurred this morning?”
“That man tried to abduct me.”
Her answer was spoken without forethought or contemplation, and Charlotte bit her lip as she wondered whether it was wise to confide in Lady Flora.
“Do you know why he wanted you?”
She was resolved to hold the woman’s gaze. “I don’t.”
Not altogether an untruth. She wasn’t sure why Mr. Townsend was so determined to see her apprehended, but she could guess.
She was saved from having to comment further when the door opened and a maid bustled in with a large tea service. Lady Flora prepared her a cup of tea, setting it on the elegantly carved table before her. Charlotte took a sip, closing her eyes as the comforting taste hit her tongue. When the door opened again, she didn’t look up, assuming it was a servant.
“Oh, Flo, I didn’t realized you were in here.” The Marquess of Inverray’s whisky-smooth voice made Charlotte wince. What would he think to see her here, especially knowing she had lessons this morning? “Firthwell and I can meet in my study instead.”
Hereyes flew open, her head snapping back when she took in the two gentlemen standing just within the doorway. Finlay’s gaze focused on her with an intensity that had her sputtering her tea.
“Oh, do forgive me, Mrs. Taylor. How do you do?” Lord Inverray stepped farther into the room and dipped his head. “Whatever has brought you to Campbell House?”
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. In the back of her mind, she wondered if she appeared like the gaping, gasping fool she felt like.
“Someone tried to abscond with her, Niall.” Lady Flora’s voice was tight with tension.
“What?” Finlay prowled across the room, dropping before Charlotte and taking her teacup from her hand so he could grasp it. “Are you well? Were you injured?”
Charlotte locked her jaw, shaking her head back and forth, any words lost in the presence of the storm brewing across Finlay’s visage.
“She’s well, just shaken.” Lady Flora patted Finlay on the shoulder before approaching her brother. “I left Duncan to deal with the fiend and brought her here to determine if she knew why she’d been targeted.”
“Wise move, Flo.” Lord Inverray considered Charlotte, speculation firing in his gray eyes.
