Page 68 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
Gooseflesh raised on her arm as she approached it. Finlay would not have returned so soon, and Mrs. Gladington usually yelled out a greeting when she knocked.
All her senses became alert as she realized who it could be.
When the booming voice responded to her inquiry, Charlotte found she was not the least bit surprised, yet her hair still stood on end.
“Thank you for inviting us in,” Mr. Townsend said, shoving his wife into the flat and following closely after her.
Charlotte shut the door, leaning back against the wood for support. Although this confrontation was years in the making, she needed a moment to fortify her defenses.
“I’m sure you’re surprised to see us,” he began, glancing about the room. Mrs. Townsend walked about the space, inspecting Charlotte’s bookshelf then studying the watercolors on the walls with a curled lip. “Although after the note I left, perhaps not.”
“I see you were able to make it past the footman downstairs.”
He shrugged. “His privy visit was fortuitous.”
“Your man assaulted me.” Her lip curled.
“Yes, well, you’ve been difficult to find.” Townsend turned to study her, his gaze critical. “But then, your kind has always been adept at finding holes to hide in.”
Blinding white rage briefly incapacitated her, which was probably for the best because she wasn’t certain she could have stopped herself from attacking him.
With an effort born from years of enduring such hateful comments, Charlotte smoothed her hands down her skirts and suffocated her temper. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
She gritted her teeth around the question, bitter she felt compelled to make the offer.
“That won’t be necessary. We won’t be here long enough to warrant it,” Mr. Townsend said, flicking his hand dismissively.
She raised her chin. “Then perhaps you can get to the point of your unexpected anduninvitedvisit.”
Townsend arched a brow, and Mrs. Townsend whirled around in a cloud of disgruntled black bombazine, her eyes slits of indignation. “Surely family never needs an invitation.”
“You never considered me family, and you certainly never treated me as such.” She pursed her lips. “Perhaps Roderick was of the same opinion. It would explain why he was so anxious to take the position in India.”
“You little—”
“That is enough, my dear.” Mr. Townsend sighed as his wife swung away in a huff. “We are here for the ring.”
Charlotte jerked back. “I’m afraid—”
“That ring has been in the Townsend family for generations!” Mrs. Townsend snapped, her jowls shaking in indignation. “And you up and took it when my sweet boy died.” She raised a laced handkerchief to dab her eyes.
“Your sweet boy slid that ring onto my finger himself because I was his bride. It was mine to keep.”
Mrs. Townsend face darkened, but Mr. Townsend laid a hand on her arm. “Calm yourself, my dear.” Turning to Charlotte, he regarded her with a calculating gleam in his eyes. “Mrs. Taylor, the ring belonged to the Townsend family and was not yours to keep. Roderick’s will very clearly states his property was to revert back to his parents.”
Charlotte clenched her teeth until her jaw screamed in pain at the reminder. “But that was not his property. It was mine.”
“As his wife, your property was his property.” Townsend smirked. “We need you to return the ring.”
“I don’t have the ring any longer.”
Mrs. Townsend gasped, and Mr. Townsend shook his head in disgust. “Then I’m afraid you will need to compensate us for its loss. It was last appraised at two hundred pounds.”
“You must know I do not have that kind of money.” Charlotte felt as if her brain had liquefied into a pool of sticky wax.
“Perhaps you don’t, but no doubt your titled friends do.” He scowled as he looked about her small flat.
Charlotte clutched a trembling hand to her breast, where her heart threatened to race right out of her chest. “You’d have me swindle two hundred pounds from my employers?”
