Page 29 of Burning Secrets of a Lady's Pen
“I wouldn’t dare,” Corin murmured. “I have other engagements, naturally. I just wanted to ensure Miss Merrit had safe passage home. Some other time, perhaps.”
“Tomorrow,” Sir John offered with a grin. “I have need of you, Lord Salthouse, tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
Imelda smiled prettily, allowing the words to wash over her as Corin went to make his departure, but something clung to her like an overripe perfume. Guilt? Disappointment?
She wasn’t sure. But she knew that the very edges of it turned her stomach.
Chapter 10
Lady Beatrice Archibald had terrible taste in decor. Or perhaps it was Corin’s distaste for her eldest son, Pritchard, that made him so ill-inclined to think otherwise. Whatever the case, standing amidst her belongings, even decorated as nicely as his Aunt Lydia had clearly tried to do, left an ashen taste on his tongue.
“Come on, Corin,” Charlotte encouraged from his side, bumping her little elbow into his waist teasingly. “You love literary soirees.”
Corin snorted. “I love literature,” he disagreed plainly. “The soirees…”
He might not have even attended if it weren’t for knowing who else was on the guest list.But he wasn’t about to admit to all of that aloud.
“You love literary soirees,” Charlotte repeated firmly. She, too, was glancing repeatedly at the entrance of the room, though, her fingers tighter on his arm than they might usually be.
Corin kicked himself for not having noticed her preoccupation before.
“Is there someone you are waiting for in particular?” he asked carefully, steering her away from the door and further into the room as his aunt began gathering things and people for the readings that were going to commence sooner rather than later.
It was a bit late for anyone to be arriving…but then again, the guest he was most anxious to see had also not yet put in an appearance.
“Mr. Merrit.” Charlotte almost whispered the man’s name, her eyes darting around them as if she were afraid that someone might overhear her. “Spencer Merrit.”
“Imelda’s brother?” Corin couldn’t have been more shocked if he had tried.
Charlotte, however, blushed a very fine shade of red, her eyes narrowing slightly at him as if she were afraid he was teasing her. “Miss Merrit. Hertwin,” she hissed. “Yes.”
Corin blinked.
And then he blinked again. He didn’t know what to make of Charlotte’s reaction. She was usually such a soft girl, polite and well-mannered, and always friendly. Was she upset that Mr. Merrit was attending? Was she excited?
The former was more concerning than the latter.
“Has he—” The words died in Corin’s throat before he could speak them, anger taking their place. He didn’t know what he would do if she confirmed such a suspicion. What he would do if she implied that he had.
“Oh, no, Corin, stop that!” Charlotte swatted at his arm with her free hand, rolling her eyes as she fanned herself. “He’s perfectly nice, you know. Very nice, even. He’s always a gentleman, very attentive.” Charlotte listed his attributes as if they befuddled her, concern marring her brow.
And Corin almost laughed.
“So he is interested in you?” he asked, snorting at the look she sent him as he did.
“He hasn’t said as much,” Charlotte said primly, though the color of her cheeks made it apparent that he didn’t need to.
“And this…bothers you?” Corin asked carefully.
Again, Charlotte went an even deeper red. “I don’t know.” It was as honest an answer as any. “I enjoy his company, and he’s a very fine-looking gentleman. I don’t know if I view him that way though, and he is Miss Merrit’s brother. I do adore Miss Merrit. If I were to choose a suitor based purely on the attributes of their family it would be no contest, but Corin—I do not know Mr. Merrit. Not like that, and what if I encourage his interest only to find out that we aren’t at all suited?”
It was the most worked-up Corin thought he had ever seen his cousin become over the idea of a potential suitor. And she had had many since her first Season.
As if fate herself had heard them discussing the family, they appeared in the entryway. Sir John at the head, explaining very easily their late attendance. He had never been known for being on time, and Theodore Fellowes at his side all but promised that they had come directly here from the theater.
“You needn’t allow anything based solely on your relationship with his family,” Corin said firmly, leading them in the direction of the very same family as he spoke. “If you are uninterested, say so plainly. If you are only trying to determine said interest…” He trailed off, watching as Charlotte tensed beside him. “Then perhaps you should get to know him better.”
