Page 31 of A Marriage Most Convenient

“And he’s always been good at gathering information,” Meg said. “He was instrumental in proving Gareth’s innocence.”

Willow chuckled. “I don’t know if it’s an affinity for gossip or what, but he’s always been privy to all sorts of information.”

“He listens,” Charlotte said. “When most people only talk, he listens.” She’d seen that in the few days living with him. She’d once assumed he was quiet simply because he had nothing to say, or because he found the company undeserving of his words, but she’d learned that neither were correct. He said little because he sat back and observed. Quietly took it all in, which made him more privy to details that most overlooked.

“I suppose he will be a most useful assistant,” Willow said with a wry chuckle.

And then it struck Charlotte that he had offered to assist her, yet he still did not actually spend time with her. How did he think to achieve the first without the latter? She knew her friends went on talking. They were all attending a ball tonight and the discussion had turned to that. But then it seemed as if they were no longer talking about dresses the way they used to—regarding fashion. No, now it appeared her friends used their ballgowns as a means to catch their husbands’ attention.

She wanted to ask why they’d need to do that. She’d been in the room multiple times with each couple, and all of their husbands only had eyes for them. It didn’t seem as if it would matter what they wore.

“After the last ball,” Meg said. “We barely made it to the carriage before Gareth had to have me.”

How did that even work, Charlotte wondered. What a fraud she was, and what a charade her life had become.

“What’s the matter, Charlotte?” Amelia asked, her voice soft and gentle.

Charlotte glanced up to see concern etched in each of her friends’ faces.

“You look so sad,” Willow said quietly.

Meg placed a hand on Charlotte’s arm. “Tell us. You know you can tell us anything.”

Charlotte exhaled slowly, closed her eyes. “It’s difficult hearing about your husbands. They all love you so much, you’ve found these amazing love matches, and sometimes it just gets to me.”

“What are you talking about?” Willow asked.

Charlotte turned to face her. “Only that my marriage isn’t like any of the rest of you. Mine was a true marriage of convenience. Edmond saved me and I’ll always be grateful.”

Willow leaned forward in her seat, her brow furrowed. “He saved you because he loves you. He’s been in love with you for years. Don’t pretend you don’t know that.”

Charlotte’s heart tightened with a shot of pain. If that had been true, once upon a time, it wasn’t anymore. Edmond had seen behind her curtain, as it were, and obviously hadn’t liked what he’d seen. “I don’t know what you think you know, but I live with the man. And I know that my husband does not love me.”

“How can you be so blind?” Willow asked.

“Willow,” Amelia hissed.

Charlotte held up a hand. “No, it’s all right,” she said to Amelia. “Tell me this then, Willow, if your bother loves me so much, why hasn’t he touched me since we got married? Why does he only give me one single dance when we go out? One.” She held up a single finger. “He doesn’t kiss me, doesn’t embrace me.” She released a tight and humorless laugh. “He can barely stand to be in the same room as me. So don’t try to tell me that I’m the one being insensitive.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Willow said.

“Perhaps Edmond fancied me when we were younger, but whatever he might have felt for me once is gone now.”

“Did my suggestions not help?” Amelia asked.

Charlotte shook her head. Then she stood, willing herself to not cry. At least not until she was in the carriage. "I need to go.” She moved as quickly as possible out of Amelia’s home. She didn’t want to hear their whispers. Or their concerns.

Because damned if that hadn’t been humiliating. Now they all knew her secret. But before she reached her carriage, Meg caught up with her.

“Charlotte, wait. I just wanted to say one thing.”

She looked down at the petite redhead.

“Tonight at the ball is the perfect opportunity to knock some sense into Edmond.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He’s being daft. So tonight, dance as many times as you want. Flirt with other men. Not too much, you don’t want to make him look bad. But enough to make him notice you. You want his eyes on you at all times. Perhaps remembering who you are and the kind of competition there was for your hand might knock some sense into him.”

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