Page 36 of The Winter Rogue
“No,” Drew answered absently as he continued reading the contract and simultaneously reached for a piece of cheddar.
“Why ever not?”Polly asked, surprise coloring her tone.
“Because I am sure it was an accidental invitation.There is no possibility, with the way Lord Brookhaven looked at me when last here, that I was actually invited,” Drew muttered as he grabbed a hunk of bread and stuffed it hungrily in his mouth.
“But what if Charlene sent it?”Polly asked pointedly.
The question had him choking on the bread he was attempting to swallow.Coughing and spluttering, Drew grabbed at the glass of lemonade she'd included on the tray and gratefully swallowed a gulp down, coughing again before he spoke.“What do you mean?”The question came out raspy as he continued to recover from his near choking.
“I mean,” Polly said, looking at him as if he were a complete idiot.“What if Charlene was the one to send you the invitation?With or without her parent's knowledge.”Her brows rose as if to punctuate her words.
He flopped back in his chair and stared.“I hadn't considered that.”
She snorted.“Clearly.”
“Maybe…maybe I should plan to attend.Go and at least see what this is about,” Drew mused out loud, more to himself than to Polly.
“Exactly.Go see if it was from your woman.”Polly winked and turned on her heel.
She was nearly at the door of his study by the time Drew could gather his wits enough to respond to her cheeky comment.“She's not my—”
But she sailed out of the room before he could finish his denial.
The party was the following day, Drew thought muzzily, so he could get another night's rest and have time to send for his valet to help ensure he looked his best.He did not wish to embarrass himself or Charlie with his appearance, which was far more likely if he attempted to go it alone.
It would be, after all, their final goodbye.
*
The next night, as Drew traveled to Brookhaven Manor, his gut churned.Seeing Charlie this evening was a mistake, he was sure of it, but he couldn’t put out of his mind the question Polly had asked.
What if?What if it was Charlie that sent for him?
With that circling in his mind, his carriage rolled to a stop.When the footman opened the door, Drew jumped down, foregoing the steps, and swiftly headed inside.He had dithered in leaving his home, in part to ensure he didn't get caught up in any traffic of arriving guests, and in part to avoid the welcome line.However, his effort was wasted as he landed in what remained of the welcome line.
As he came to Lord Brookhaven, he bowed.
“Mr.Wentworth,” his host greeted him, seeming surprised by his presence.
“Lord Brookhaven.”Drew straightened up.“I hope all is well since last we met?”
The man narrowed his gaze at him, but seemed less aggressive this time.“All…all is as well as it can be with two exterraneous suitors in attendance.”The man shook his head and muttered, “good God.”
“Very well then.”Drew nodded, confused by Lord Brookhaven’s mutterings and turned to Lady Brookhaven.“My lady, thank you for the invitation.”
She looked slightly less surprised by his presence, which likely meant she'd received his acceptance.“Yes, well, please enjoy the festivities.”
The dismissal was not lost on Drew, and it seemed to answer the questions he had about who had invited him.Now to find the one responsible for his presence.
Edging into the crowded room, he moved through the people looking for Charlie, finally spotting her gathered with some other women.
Without hesitation, Drew approached and bowed.“Lady Charlene, I believe I have you to thank for my invite to such an occasion?”
The surrounding ladies giggled with nervousness, he assumed, since he had said nothing that was amusing.
Charlie, on the other hand, was the picture of serenity, and held out her hand to him.“Mr.Wentworth.It has been too long since we last spoke.”
He repressed a snort of amusement.After all, it had been a week at most since last they'd spoken.But he played along.“Indeed, it has.I do hope you have saved a dance for me.”
