Page 53 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
That the man would come to her in her lowest hour to try and take advantage of her was all she needed to know about him. Charlotte also hated herself for her not seeing through his charm sooner. She shook her head as she watched the children playing in the backyard.
For a moment she had entertained his offer. She had actually been thinking of accepting. After all, she was not likely to get another.
Her mind went to Lord Easterly. She had hoped perhaps that their sharing a kiss might have meant something, but that hope was fading. The scandal had done away with any chance of finding out an answer to that question.
She certainly did not wish any ill fortune upon Lord Easterly and being around her would definitely invite more scandal.
Charlotte sighed. “What was that sigh all about?”
Charlotte turned to see Mrs. Wilson just inside the door. “Oh, I did not know you had made it back.”
“There were carriage tracks outside,” Mrs. Wilson said. “Was that your clothing being delivered?”
Charlotte shook her head and stepped inside the kitchen. “It was Lord Stanhope,” she said as she rubbed her arm.
Mrs. Wilson frowned. “Is everything all right? I do not know a Lord Stanhope. Is he from London?”
“Yes and yes, he is from London,” Charlotte replied. “He came to propose marriage to me, in a way.”
Mrs. Wilson guided her over to the table where they both sat down. “I would say congratulations, but it does not sound as if it was the type of proposal you wanted.”
“He tried to kiss me and when I refused his advances, he called me harlot,” Charlotte whispered. “I had no idea he was like that.”
Mrs. Wilson grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Often people do not show their true colours right away. I am so sorry I was not here. I daresay he would not have got up to such as that had I been in the house.”
“I slapped him,” Charlotte admitted as she felt her cheeks flush with heat.
Mrs. Wilson snorted. “Good on you. Sounds like that particular lord could do with some old-fashioned punishment.”
“I hope he does not tell Lord Easterly,” Charlotte mumbled.
Mrs. Wilson assured her, “I doubt he tells anyone at all. Men are very curious creatures. They do not like to admit that they were bested by those weaker than them.”
“Good.” Charlotte covered her face and shook her head. “I thought things would calm down and get back to normal here. I fear the scandal has followed me.”
Mrs. Wilson clucked her tongue. “We are not completely cut off from the world outside, but you know how little stock people around here put in such things as London gossip.”
“I have friends in London, or I did,” Charlotte said with a sigh. “I wonder how they view me now.”
Mrs. Wilson arched an eyebrow at her. “Friends are friends no matter what, child. You should write to them and you might be pleasantly surprised by how many are unmoved by rumours.”
“Maybe,” Charlotte agreed. She did not know if she truly would, but it certainly could not hurt her situation any. Charlotte shook her head. “I just thought of Lord Stanhope and Miss Easterly. I do hope he does not try to pawn himself off as some gentleman. Miss Easterly and I might not be the friends that we were, but I do not wish her any harm.”
Mrs. Wilson sighed and gave Charlotte’s hand a squeeze. “I cannot say if he will or not, but it is good of you to think of your friend.”
“I do not know if I can truly get her to listen. Perhaps I could convince Lord Easterly that Lord Stanhope is not who he claims. Surely he would want the best for his sister.” Charlotte nodded as she came to a decision. She would go tomorrow and let Lord Easterly know about Lord Stanhope’s conduct.
*
For the second time in as many days, Lord Stanhope was in Graham’s study. This time the man seemed to be intent on drinking himself to an early grave and, frankly, if that was his aim, then Graham could oblige. He re-filled Stanhope’s glass and handed it back to him.
“So kind,” Lord Stanhope enthused before taking a long drink. “Lovely, lovely.”
Graham had made his stance on marriage to his sister very plain, so he knew the man could not be here for that. There was little to do while Amanda was currently not speaking to him. James laughed and slapped his chair arm.
“Say, that Miss Browne,” Lord Stanhope said. The man’s eyebrows waggled at Graham. “I had no idea she was so easy with her affections.” He laughed and slapped the arm of his chair again. “Mind you, I should have liked to be first, but I am not opposed to being second.”
Graham looked at him with disgust. “Mind yourself, Lord Stanhope. I think you have had too much to drink.” Graham corked the bottle and set it aside.
