Page 26 of In Want of a Wife
“No.”
A tavern maid interrupted, “Excuse me, miss, will you be sitting with your husband, or can I move this chair?”
Lily and Rafe both pulled a face.
“Take it,” he said.
“No, he’s not my husband,” Lily said at the same time.
The tavern maid’s eyes widened before she darted forward and dragged the chair out from between them. “Thank you kindly.”
Her husband? She’d swear on all the stars in the sky she would never love a man such as Rafe Davies.
She ignored his smirk and continued, “She must be. Is she outside perhaps?”
“I have been down here for some time now and have not seen the duchess.”
Lily frowned. It wasn’t like Charlotte to disappear.
“Very well.”
She turned to leave, but Mr. Davies called out, “Wait.”
Lily turned quickly on her heel and held her hands in front of herself.
For a moment, the room quieted around her, or maybe it was a trick of the light the way his eyes narrowed down on her again as he had done last night. Awareness prickled at the back of her neck. Rakes were a hazard to young ladies everywhere, and though twice jilted, his effect broke through her newfound jaded attitude toward men.
“Yes?” Lily hated the way she leaned in, as if her body no longer wished for distance between herself and that impossible man.
“Are you reading on this carriage ride?”
“Hmph.”
He laughed as she retreated, a warm sound that melted against her like honey in her tea. She marched up to Charlotte’s room, this time banging against the door.
"Charlotte, open up. Are you there?"
There was no answer.
Lily cleared her throat, still muttering under her breath about Mr. Davies before she called out again, “Charlotte?”
She had known Charlotte for many years now, and rarely did her friend ever sleep past this hour. The duchess much preferred an early start to the day.
Something felt wrong as she rushed back to her room.
Kate glanced up from her needlework by the window. “What ever is the matter? Lily, are you well?”
“Something is wrong,” Lily gripped her waist. “Charlotte isn’t answering her door, and Mr. Davies hasn’t seen her.”
“It’s not as if she disappeared.” Kate set her needlework aside and stood, following Lily to Charlotte’s door once more. After several attempts, they finally heard a faint noise from within.
“We need a way to open the door. Fetch Mr. Davies and the owner.”
Kate returned shortly with the owner carrying a large set of keys and Mr. Davies close behind on his heels.
With a push of the key, the door unlocked. “Please, let me enter first,” Lily said, unsure of what she would discover.
Charlotte’s bare feet stuck out from the other side of the bed on the floor.
