Page 27 of A Brooding Christmas Promise
“It was Lady Foster,” Charlotte said, quietly. “Lord Crestwood and I were returning to the carriage but she was there waiting for me, ready to rail at my choice to engage myself to Lord Crestwood.”
“Obviously, she does not know it is a pretence,” Lord Crestwood stated, coming to sit beside Charlotte though Charlotte presumed it was simply because the couch was close to the fire and he could warm himself. “However, she was very angry indeed.”
“I am sorry.” Amelia let out a sigh and closed her eyes. “What are we to do?”
“It is not that which upset me,” Charlotte said, pausing to sip her tea and let the warmth push through her. A slight tremble ran through her frame, right down to the tips of her fingers, and she set the teacup down with a slight clatter. “She was very angry, as Lord Crestwood has said, but as she was throwing harsh words at me, she said something which gave me pause.” Another breath, another sip of her tea and, closing her eyes, Charlotte finally managed to repeat them. “She said, ‘You cannot! It must be this way, or else she will lose – ” and then came to a sudden stop.” She opened her eyes to see Amelia frowning. “She was speaking of our stepmother, I am sure, butonce she stopped herself from saying anything more, she turned on her heel and took her leave.”
“In a most abrupt manner,” Lord Crestwood added, just as Lord Hesterway came into the room to join them. “I did not understand what happened.”
Charlotte swallowed hard, lacing her fingers in her lap. “I am sure that she stopped herself from saying something she ought not to have said. In saying, “it must be this way, else she will lose,” it is clear to me that there is a reason behind my request to remain unwed.”
Lord Hesterway frowned. “Who said this?”
“Lady Foster,” Amelia replied, quickly explaining what had happened to her husband. “But Charlotte, what possible reason could there be? Father’s will stated that it was only to keep Lady Barcsay company, so that she would never be alone. Could it be that this was what she meant? That Lady Barcsay would lose your company?”
No-one spoke for some time but Charlotte’s heart fluttered within her, telling her that there was something more here, something that she did not yet fully understand.
“To my mind, that does not make sense,” Lord Crestwood said, eventually. “Forgive me for sharing my opinion when it is not my matter but it seems to me that saying that Lady Barcsay would lose Charlotte’s company would not be something that would be snapped back as it was. It would not force her to turn away as abruptly and rush to her carriage.”
“I agree,” Lord Hesterway said, as both Amelia and Charlotte nodded, though that did not bring Charlotte any relief. “But what else could it mean?”
“I – I do not know and it is that which makes me tremble,” Charlotte admitted, a little tearfully. “Oh, sister, what if there is more to our father’s desire for me to remain unwed? His words might have been spoken differently but have been capturedincorrectly – and mayhap Lady Foster and our stepmother know of it!”
Amelia opened her mouth, then closed it again before looking away. “Would that I knew what to say to you, Charlotte,” she answered, eventually. “But if you are sure that there might be something more here- and I confess, on hearing what you have said, I quite agree – then there is something that must be done.”
Charlotte blinked quickly, trying to understand. “I cannot speak to Lady Foster again if that is your thinking. I am sure that she will not tell me a single thing.”
Amelia nodded. “I am sure she would not! However, might you not speak to our brother’s solicitors? I am certain our brother would not mind in the least.”
Lord Crestwood shifted slightly in his seat. “You mean to suggest that she would be able, then, to ascertain something from them? Mayhap one of them might know of exactly what was said when the will was created?”
“It would be worth asking, yes,” Lord Hesterway agreed, before Charlotte could speak. “What a pity the will itself was lost.”
Charlotte felt rather than saw Lord Crestwood’s frame tightening, his gaze swift as he turned to her. “It was lost?”
She nodded then spread out her hands. “Some highwaymen, it is thought, stopped to rob the mail coach. The will, which was being sent back to our solicitor, was within it. It has never been seen again.”
Lord Crestwood blinked rapidly, his face paling just a little, and something within Charlotte’s frame tightened, her eyes searching every part of his expression in the hope of finding some explanation for his sudden pallor.
Lord Crestwood, however, said nothing. Instead, he looked away.
“Please.” Her hand went to his, grasping it lightly. “You were going to say something, were you not?”
Lord Crestwood pressed her hand back in return though he smiled at her gently. “It is not my business, my dear lady.”
“But we should value any thoughts you might have,” Charlotte answered, shifting herself a little closer to him though she made sure that her leg did not come close to touching his. “What are your thoughts?”
Lord Crestwood looked away, a breath hissing out gently from between his teeth. “I do not mean to disparage anyone, nor do I want to suggest any sort of wrongdoing. However,” he continued, pausing for a moment just as Charlotte nodded in order to encourage him, “is there any possibility that what happened in the loss of the will might have been deliberate?”
The shock of what he said ricocheted across Charlotte’s chest, her hand pulling from his so it might press lightly against her heart.
“I should not have said anything,” Lord Crestwood continued, immediately. “Forgive me, I have upset you and –”
“Charlotte saw the will with her own eyes,” Amelia broke in, though she spoke gently. “She saw what was said, read those words for herself and then she made her decision on that.”
Lord Crestwood’s jaw flexed for just a moment, his blue eyes darkening gently. “I see. I did not realise that you had read the full will, Miss Millerton. I –”
“Oh, I did not read all of it.”
