Page 20 of The Truth about the Rogue
“Do not think for a single moment that I will let you walk away from my sister after what I witnessed,” she hissed, thoughthere was a glint in her eye that Andrew did not much like. “My sister’s reputation is utterly ruined, and you will do as you ought, Lord Kentmore.” Andrew squeezed his eyes closed, his whole body turning to fire. This was utterly dreadful. He was now expected to betrothe himself to this young lady, tomarryher, which was the very worst situation imaginable!Why did I not wait to make certain it was Lady Faustine? Why was I so hasty?“Well?”
“Lillian, please.”
“Charlotte, you must be silent.” The authority of the second young lady rang about the hallway and despite his desire to escape, despite his desire to run from her, and to free himself from the situation, Andrew knew he had no other choice but to accept it. Thanks to his own idiocy, he was now to become betrothed to this young lady. His future looked very black indeed. “Lord Kentmore?”
“Very well,” Andrew hissed, squeezing his eyes closed and hating every word that came from him. “If I must, then I will betrothe myself to… well, to whoever you are.”
“You mean, you do not know?” The young lady in front of him laughed, her hand falling from his chest. “My dear Lord Kentmore, you are now courting – for I do not think it would be fair to betrothe yourself immediately without questions being asked.” She cleared her throat. “As I was saying, you are now courting my sister, Miss Charlotte Hawick.”
It was as though the entire building had fallen, crushing him. Andrew struggled to breathe, staring at the young lady opposite him, still not quite able to make out her face. The very young lady he had been struggling not to think of, the one who irritated him, the one who clearly disliked him,shewas the one he was now tied to?
“And you will betrothe yourself to her very soon, else all of thetonshall know of what you have done,” Lillian Hawickstated, firmly. “Now, do excuse me, Lord Kentmore, as I take my sister to go and speak with our father. He will have to know all, and I am sure that he will wish to speak with you also, very soon.”
She strode off without a word, putting one arm around her sister’s shoulders and making to pull her away.
Charlotte Hawick did not move.
“I – I do not want this.”
Her sister let out a snort.
“Whether you want it or not, this is what must happen.” Her voice echoed back towards Andrew as she led Charlotte away, seemingly working through her sister’s reluctance. “You are going to be the Marchioness of Kentmore, Charlotte! What could be better than that?”
Andrew closed his eyes again, his shoulders rounding as he realized the reason that Miss Lillian Hawick had demanded such a thing. To have a Viscount’s daughter betrothed to a Marquess was significant indeed, and would improve the family’s standing in society a great deal, which, in turn, meant that Lillian herself would be more likely to make a match with a higher titled gentleman. Groaning, he sucked in air, his mind whirling, his heart aching, just as a sob echoed down the corridor towards him.
What have I done?
Chapter Seven
“Imust say, I do so much enjoy dancing.” Charlotte tried to smile, knowing that she would be entirely unable to reply to Lord Templeton, given that she was being forced to concentrate on the dance. When he had first asked her for her dance card, he had not been in his cups nor had he shown any inclination towards imbibing, given that he had refused to take a glass when it had been offered to him. Now, however, he had clearly drunk a little too much whisky and was flailing a little, his steps narrowly missing her feet on occasion, and his hands slipping much too quickly from hers. “You are quite beautiful, I must say, though a little too quiet for my liking,” Lord Templeton continued, grabbing her around the waist, his hand tightening there painfully. “I do hope that you are happy dancing with me? After all, I am one of the most sought-after gentlemen here in London.”
“Of course.”
It was all Charlotte could say, and she was relieved when his hand fell from her waist as they separated again. Praying silently that the orchestra would not play for too much longer, shegritted her teeth and continued on with the dance, vowing never to dance with Lord Templeton again.
“Alas, our dance must come to an end!”
Lord Templeton grabbed her hand and made to bow over it as the music slowed, only for him to lean a little too far forward, lose his balance, and plunge forward. With a gasp, Charlotte side-stepped him quickly, pulling her hand away just as he careered past her, only for something to rip.
Her eyes closed, mortification creeping up over her as she saw others looking at her, perhaps aware of what had just taken place.
“Charlotte, do walk with me.” Without warning, Lillian took her arm and led her from the floor, her head held high and a light smile on her face. Charlotte, certain that her face was very red indeed, struggled to project the same confidence. “I saw what Lord Templeton did,” Lillian murmured, out of the corner of her mouth. “Are you all right?”
Charlotte, touched by her sister’s concern, nodded.
“I am, though my gown is torn at the hem.”
“There are bound to be maids ready to assist us,” Lillian answered, determinedly. “Goodness, Charlotte, what a thing to have happen!”
Looking at her sister as Lillian stopped briefly to inform their mother of what had happened and what they now intended to do, Charlotte felt her heart warm, despite the embarrassment. This was the first time in a long time that Lillian had shown her such consideration, and Charlotte appreciated it a great deal. After reassuring her mother that she was not injured, Charlotte followed Lillian, hoping that very few of thetonwould notice her ripped gown.
“You are very kind to be so considerate,” Charlotte said, as they stepped out into the hallway. “Had you not come totake me away, I am sure that I would have been broken with mortification!”
“You are my sister, Charlotte,” came the reply, as Lillian turned to the left, walking down one of the hallways which, Charlotte thought, did not look particularly well lit. “I care for you. Besides which, you do not often dance, and I did not want you to be discouraged from stepping out again, simply because of the foolishness of one gentleman! It is good for meandfor you, that you should be seen dancing.”
Charlotte’s smile was a little rueful as she understood the reasons for her sister’s sympathy and support. Yes, shedidcare for Charlotte’s situation, and did not want her to be embarrassed but, at the same time, saw the advantage in having Charlotte dancing. It would detract from the view that society might otherwise have of her as being quiet and reserved which, in turn, might encourage the gentlemen of London to consider them both with interest.
“I am not certain that this is the right way,” Lillian murmured, coming to a stop. “Mama told me that there was a room just down the hallway and–”
