Page 55 of Reluctantly His

CHARLOTTE

Istayed in my room for the next three days.

I knew Reid was still on duty, and I just couldn’t face him.

There was no way I could look him in the eyes and not cry.

He didn’t get to see my pain.

He didn’t get to see how much he had hurt me.

He’d known I was innocent. He’d known I had never been touched by another man, and he still pushed past my limits and made me feel the most amazing hot passion, just to leave me cold and alone afterward.

Sergeant Reid Taylor did not deserve my tears.

Shame and heartbreak filled me every single time I thought about what I had done.

About how something had come over me in such a way that I hadn’t even known what to expect. And instead of controlling myself, I had given in to it. I’d followed my instincts, and I didn’t know if what I had done was considered good or normal.

What kind of woman grinds down on a man’s face like that?

What kind of a man holds a woman’s hips and encourages her to do that, to feel something so amazing, and then just leaves without so much as looking at her?

I was so embarrassed and so heartbroken over the way he’d callously left.

As if I didn’t matter, though I guess I really didn’t.

Men like Reid had to have women tripping over themselves to get his attention left and right. What would he want with a silly, spoiled rich girl like me?

Who had no real skills other than playing an instrument that apparently sounded like cats dying.

No one came to check on me.

One of the maids left food for me a few times, but my father didn’t say anything or send a maid to ask if I needed a doctor.

Nothing until three days had passed.

I was called down first thing in the morning of the third day.

I got showered and dressed as I was supposed to, strictly on autopilot, and went to wait in his office. This time, he actually didn’t make me wait too long. I barely had time to trace a single pattern in the Persian rug.

“Your engagement party is tonight. I’ve already had a dress delivered. You are to be ready and presentable at seven. The engagement party will start promptly at eight at the Waldorf Astoria. The baroness has taken on the responsibility of planning everything. So there is nothing for you to worry yourself with.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, not looking up from the carpet.

It was fine. I had no interest in planning any type of celebration.

“Good. I suggest you go do some research on the British aristocracy so you don’t make a fool of yourself tonight.”

“Yes, sir,” I responded, still on autopilot.

“The other night, her son was taken by you, but his mother was less than impressed. Thankfully, he seems to have his mother in line, somewhat. But you would do well to ingratiate yourself with her. She is how you will be introduced to London society, and I need those business contacts. The current baron is too old and broken to be of any use to us. Fortunately, your husband will have the title, probably soon, but he is a fool. A fool I can control, but make no mistake, your duty is still to this family first.”

It was terrifying how smoothly he had my fiancé’s father in the grave and my future husband under his thumb.

“Yes, sir.”

“You are to be on your fiancé’s arm the entire night at his side. And you had better show more wit and intelligence and good breeding than you did at the dinner party. I was able to cover your lack of attention as simply nerves. I won’t be able to do that again.”

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