Page 26 of A Marriage Most Convenient

“Yes.” She paused for a while before speaking again. “I’ve only spoken to him twice, and only once before that did he rob a ball I was attending, so I certainly am not an expert. Although I’d wager that Jack was not himself tonight.” She laughed nervously. “Perhaps he was inebriated.”

Or perhaps he was a fraud. But he certainly couldn’t tell Charlotte that. She’d want to know why he knew that. The good thing was, she didn’t seem to be thinking along those lines. For the time being, she suspected there was only one Jack.

“Charlotte,” he said.

“Yes.” Her voice was breathless.

“I should like it if you would allow me to join your little investigation.”

She shifted in her seat and he could see the shadow of her face, but could not decipher her expression. “My investigation? On the Jack of Hearts?”

“Yes.”

“You wish to help me unmask him?”

He cursed himself for not waiting until they were home in a lit room where he could gage her response, to see if she thought him an utter fool. “If I might.”

“I suppose I could use the assistance.”

“Very good.” He inwardly sighed. It would have been more complicated had he been forced to do his own investigation without her knowing. This way he could protect her.

As Jack he’d gotten close to her. Very close. And it would be like her to approach this new thief on the pretense that they had been previously introduced. Edmond couldn’t allow that to happen.

“You know, Jack told me something curious that last night I saw him. When he kissed me,” she said.

“Indeed?”

“He wanted to warn me that he wasn’t the only masked thief around town. Perhaps this man was the other. Though it does make you wonder how he knew.” She whipped her head around to look at me. “Do you suppose they have some sort of underground club or meeting for thieves and villains?” Then she laughed heartily. “No, that’s preposterous.”

She was right, the fraud had seemed agitated, nearly manic. On all of Edmond’s escapades, he’d carried a pistol to persuade people to comply and to ensure no one called for help before he could disappear. But he’d never loaded it. Never even carried ammunition with him. He wasn’t so certain the new Jack was that kind.

CHAPTER 11

The following morning, Charlotte found herself on the doorstep of the townhome that Amelia now shared with her husband, Colin. The butler gave her a curious glance as he led her into the visiting parlor. Nearly twenty minutes later, Amelia stepped into the room. She wore a dark dress, but her hair still hung in the braid she slept in.

“Charlotte, is everything all right?” She rushed over to her friend and sat next to her on the settee. “I apologize for waking you. I shouldn’t have come this early.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You wouldn’t have come unless you needed something. Now talk.”

Charlotte smiled. Amelia had always been the most direct of the four of them, the most free with her affection. “I need some advice.”

Amelia’s forehead wrinkled. “And you came to me? Willow is far better at that sort of thing than I am.”

“Not when it comes to seducing her brother,” Charlotte said before she could think of how to better craft her words.

Amelia’s eyes and mouth went round. “Oh, I suppose you’re right about that.” But her frown didn’t change. “Things are not good between you and Edmond?”

Charlotte exhaled slowly and willed herself not to cry, but tears gathered in her eyes nonetheless. She shook her head.

“What is the matter? Is it painful? Do he not make certain that you’re ready for him?”

Charlotte opened her mouth, then closed it. Then she blew out a breath. “May I speak frankly?”

“Of course.”

“My husband could be the greatest lover in all of London. Perhaps all of Britain. But I would not know…” She choked on the last word. This was beyond humiliating to admit.

"It’s all right, Charlotte,” Amelia cooed. “Whatever it is you have to say, all will be well.”

---