Page 52 of The Duke's Hidden Scandal
“I merely noticed that you had departed early,” Charlotte said evenly. “Were you called away?”
Lord Kilby’s easy smile faltered. “Mm, yes, business in town. I always intended to be at the ball for a shorter time than usual. I had an early start the following day.”
Charlotte watched the sweat drip down his neck. “Today, my Lord?”
“Hmm?”
“You said you had an early start the following day. That is today, is it not?”
Lord Kilby huffed a laugh, his fingers flexing against the handle of his teacup. “Yes. Of course. I had an early start this morning.”
“And what were you doing?”
Lord Kilby gave a tight smile. “I did not come here to speak of myself, Lady Wentworth. You will forgive me, but I have something else that I would very much like to discuss with you.”
To her horror, Lord Kilby placed his cup on the table between them as though he might get down on one knee there and then. Charlotte glanced at Sarah but was further horrified to see her leaving the room, as might be proper at the time of a proposal.
Charlotte wanted to scream at her to come back again, but Sarah could only give her an apologetic glance as she pulled the door closed behind her.
Charlotte turned to Lord Kilby, whose simpering smile was firmly in place.
“Lady Wentworth, I must speak plainly. These past weeks, I have greatly enjoyed your company. I find myself compelled to make my wishes known to you.” His thumb rubbed incessantly against the two fingers of his right hand.
“Lord Kilby, you are very generous with your compliments.”
“It is no mere compliment, Lady Wentworth. You are quite exquisite. I believe, that is, I have come toknowthat my future and yours must be forever entwined.”
Charlotte couldn’t breathe. Was the ground opening up beneath her? It seemed so. She kept her teacup held before her as though it might shield her from the words that would leave his mouth next.
Just at that moment, however, to Charlotte’s profound relief, the door to the drawing room opened again. She thought it might be Sarah coming to rescue her, but instead, it was Waltham, his eyes flicking between them briefly before bowing to Charlotte.
“Lord Preston has arrived to call on you, Lady Wentworth. Should I show him in?”
Thank God for Malcolm.
Charlotte turned to Lord Kilby, whose smile had been replaced by an expression of barely veiled annoyance.
More grateful than she could express at the chance to escape, Charlotte held herself back from fleeing the room and gave him a gentle smile.
“Perhaps we should continue our conversation another time, Lord Kilby.”
Lord Kilby glanced at Waltham, who for some reason had not withdrawn, and gave a curt nod. Charlotte turned to the butler and motioned for him to show Lord Preston in. Lord Kilby was stiff and visibly displeased, but Charlotte knew he could not blame her for receiving another caller.
He bowed low, managing a smile when he straightened and stalked from the room, leaving Charlotte with a profound sense of relief.
After a few minutes, she followed him out, knowing that with Lord Kilby in the drawing room, Waltham would have shown Malcolm into the library. As she exited the room, Sarah darted out from a nearby parlor and raised her eyebrows in concern.
“What happened?” she asked quietly.
“Lord Preston interrupted us, but I am sure Kilby was here to make me an offer. I am not going to be able to put him off forever, Sarah.”
“Today you have; tomorrow is another opportunity. Do not despair. I am so pleased to hear you are not engaged.”
Charlotte gave a startled laugh as she continued to the library and opened the door to see the welcoming figure of Malcolm perusing the shelves.
“Good morning, cousin,” she said, genuinely happy to see him. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”
Malcolm turned, grinning from ear to ear, and came toward her as they took their seats beside the fire.
