An Inconvenient Trilogy (25 page)

“Charlotte!” Stephen sprang into action. The look of pure mortification on her face wrenched at his insides, and he vowed that he would make Michael pay for insulting her so. “It’s no slur on you; it is my past reputation being thrown in my face again. I’m sorry.”

Elizabeth gave her husband a furious look. “Charlotte my dear, I feel we have all got off to the wrong foot. You should have not heard that.”

“So it would be fine to say it out of my hearing?” Charlotte asked sounding defiant, but her eyes were just a little bit more shiny than normal.

“No it certainly would not have been fine,” Michael interjected. “I sincerely apologise Miss Webster for my appalling behaviour. Halkyn is correct, it was because of his, of
our
,” he said with a slight smile and apologetic glance at his wife, “past behaviour. I welcome you into my home unreservedly and ask that you forgive my lack of manners.”

Charlotte was not immune to a handsome man, especially when he was begging her forgiveness. Michael had changed from an indignant Lord of the manor to a charming gentleman. She inclined her head. “Thank you, you are very kind,” she said quietly.

“I don’t usually receive forgiveness so quickly!” Stephen interjected. “Why do you let him off so easily?”

“Probably because he is a respectable husband, while you are a complete cad!” Charlotte responded in her usual quick way.

“Why of all the..” Stephen started, but there was no point in him continuing, as his words were drowned out by Elizabeth and Michael’s laughter.

Chapter 6

Charlotte was not so flippant and brave during the evening meal. She was seated next to Lord Dunham, with Miss Fairfield sitting opposite her. Elizabeth sat at the opposite end of the table to her husband and was flanked by Stephen and a Mr Anderton, Lord Dunham’s man of business. This meant that Charlotte was diagonal to Stephen and therefore had no means of receiving support from him during the meal. She was forced to converse with Lord Dunham and Mr Anderton. Both gentlemen were charming and pleasant, but Charlotte felt completely out of place. Even Lord Dunham asking her to use Michael, after the fourth or fifth time she had referred to him as ‘my Lord’, did not ease her tension. He was not as easy going as his wife, and she dreaded telling them of the situation she was in, and it was a certainty that he would find out the truth later.

On the opposite corner of the table Stephen was having a far more pleasant evening with Elizabeth, but he was aware that Charlotte was feeling uncomfortable and he felt for her.

Elizabeth noticed his glances across the table and was even more curious. “Charlotte seems a lovely girl?” she enquired innocently.

“She is, although don’t be fooled by her quiet demeanour, she has a lot of spirit. Dunham is overwhelming her at the moment,” Stephen replied with a slight frown of concern for Charlotte.

“Spirited and beautiful, she will be a real hit. Has she come out?” Elizabeth probed.

“No,” Stephen said, just a little uncomfortable at being reminded of Charlotte’s young age. “She got into a bit of a scrape before she had the opportunity.”

“I’m curious to hear what has happened,” Elizabeth said honestly. “We shall wait until you gentlemen join us in the drawing room. There is no point giving the staff an opportunity for gossip.”

“I appreciate that,” Stephen replied. “So, how is married life? Not regretting refusing me?” Elizabeth had been the one and only woman Stephen had previously considered marrying. She had refused him because she had wanted to marry for love. Instead of being angry at her refusal, it had made Stephen think that perhaps he should try to find someone who would love him after all. Those thoughts had obviously not stopped him in his normal pursuits, which had led him to Charlotte.

Elizabeth laughed, “I think my regrets are at the same level as yours,” she responded. “We would never have suited.”

Stephen smiled, “I suppose not. I could not have coped with turning to mush like Dunham appears to have done.” He had noticed the looks that Michael had been sending his wife during the meal.

Elizabeth smiled at her husband, a smile that was filled with love and affection. “He is the most wonderful of men. I could not be happier.”

Stephen made some disparaging remark, but his words hid the emotions which the look Elizabeth had given her husband had stirred. It was not jealousy as such, he did not regret not marrying Elizabeth at all, she was correct when she said that they would not have suited. Looking at Dunham and Elizabeth, for the first time in his life he saw what true happiness could bring, and he realised that he wanted it also. He did not believe he could find it, but even as those thoughts passed through his mind, he looked at Charlotte and wished she was older. She may have been a good match for him, but he could not seriously consider such a thought, as to do so would cause something like regret.

Seeing the way his two hosts felt for each other, made him long that one day he would find someone foolish enough to put up with all his faults and love him as Elizabeth loved Michael. He shook himself, thinking that he must be getting old, to have such melancholy feelings. He needed a night out in one of his clubs and then onto a certain type of establishment. He thought of Baron Kersal. If he was to be honest, he had never liked the man, but Charlotte’s situation made him hate him. When everything was settled with Charlotte, Baron Kersal would have a visit he would not easily forget.

Elizabeth led the ladies out of the room and left Michael, Stephen and Charles Anderton to enjoy their port. Stephen used it as an opportunity to find out more about Kersal.

“Did you ever use the pleasures provided by Baron Kersal?” He asked, accepting a glass of port from Michael.

Michael looked at him in puzzlement. “No, why?”

“I just wondered if you know how well he was connected,” Stephen said. He was not going to divulge too much information while Charles was present.

“No, I had my vices, but I kept away from men like Kersal. They seemed to be a little too close to being depraved for my liking. I don’t think he is well connected; he may have plenty of visitors, but I think that is more to do with the services he is providing. I don’t think he is well liked,” Michael responded, making assumptions that he hoped would be explained.

“You were more astute than I was then,” Stephen responded with a grimace at admitting Michael was right about something. “It seems he has started to become involved with something illegal.”

“I would distance yourself from him. If he is stopped, he won’t have any compunction about taking you or anyone else who is in his circle down with him,” Michael said thoughtfully, for once not gloating over Stephen’s compliment.

“I intend being the one to take him down!” Stephen replied, the frown and firm set of his mouth conveying the seriousness of the comment. He was a man who was rarely without a smile, and even if that smile was sometimes cynical and mocking, it was still a smile.

When the gentlemen rejoined the ladies Charles moved across to Miss Fairfield and whispered in her ear. She stood immediately and spoke to Elizabeth. “Would you excuse me please?” She asked her mistress.

“Yes of course, you aren’t working at this hour are you Martha?” Elizabeth asked her longtime companion and member of staff.

“Mr Anderton would like to have a word with me. I shall retire afterwards if you have no other need for me,” Martha responded.

“No we don’t require anything else, thank you. Good night Martha, Charles. We shall see you tomorrow,” Elizabeth replied easily.

The pair left the room and closed the door behind them. “I can see why you keep them on board,” Stephen said approvingly at the obvious action. “I’m glad they’ve left, I don’t want everyone knowing our business.”

Charlotte flushed at Stephen’s words. “What he means is my foolishness,” she said honestly.

“They would be very discreet, but it would be harder to speak with a large audience,” Elizabeth said. “Are we to know your scrape, my dear?”

Charlotte looked quickly at Stephen. “I haven’t said a word, don’t look daggers at me,” he said holding his hands up. “Elizabeth is naturally nosey, and unfortunately intelligent with it.”

Elizabeth laughed, instead of being offended. “Be careful Charlotte, he was always very smooth.”

Charlotte wondered about the pair, but could not dwell on it; she had to relay her story again to strangers. Her colour and discomfort increased as she explained herself, but she felt some comfort in the fact that Stephen had sat himself next to her on the sofa. It was inappropriate for him to sit so near, but although he was not touching her, she felt comfort in his closeness. She did not elaborate on the way that she had sought Stephen’s help, but told them that she had appealed to Stephen, and he had helped her. Between them, they explained how she had been brought there, to try and ensure that, if she
was
seen that there would be no slur on her character.

Elizabeth and Michael both noticed the unusual action of Stephen sitting next to Charlotte while she was telling her story. He had not touched her, but watched her and interjected if he thought she was struggling with the story. When Charlotte had finished, he smiled at her in reassurance.

“Kersal is taking a big risk getting involved with such a scheme. They must have men at more than one school,” Michael said, frowning.

“I’m not sure how many are involved,” Charlotte responded. “I do know there are more than two though; the girls mentioned at least two schools. Apparently the money he is going to make is very good.”

“All it will take is for them to pick the wrong girl, and they could be exposed. No one except the immoral would tolerate such an unsavoury scheme,” Michael continued.

“He has already picked the wrong girl! I intend making my disgust known,” Stephen said grimly, receiving an alarmed look from Charlotte.

“You could endanger yourself,” Michael said. “There must be a lot of money being made, as Charlotte says, for it to be worth the trouble. You need to be wary Halkyn, he will not scruple to get rid of anyone who tries to interfere. Don’t let your headstrong ways put you in danger, you are not infallible.”

Stephen responded with his usual style. “Why Dunham, are you saying you would miss me if I was done away with?”

“No, but my wife would be upset. Why, I have no idea, but as my wife’s happiness is my main concern, I advise you to not get yourself killed,” Michael said dryly.

Charlotte gasped and put her hand on Stephen’s arm. “No! You cannot, you must not put yourself at risk because of me. I wish I had never asked for your help if the result will be that you get hurt!” she said in a panic.

Stephen covered her hand with his. “Have you so little faith in my abilities?” He asked. His tone was light, but for some reason it meant something to him that she had faith in him.

“I am fully appreciative of your capacity to get out of scrapes,” Charlotte replied, gaining control of her panic. “I’ve seen you in action, remember? I fear that you would be outnumbered and in that situation you would be at risk.”

“Would you be reassured if I said I will be careful?” Stephen asked.

“Yes, a little, but would you refrain from such actions if I asked you to?” Charlotte asked.

Stephen thought for a moment. “No, but I have considered it for a moment, which is more than I would do for anyone else.”

“Well if you are going to be completely foolish, why should I waste my time worrying?” Charlotte said, the tone of voice betraying the true feelings behind the words.

Stephen appreciated Charlotte’s words and smiled at her. “Quite so. I couldn’t have put it better myself.”

Elizabeth thought it was prudent to intervene, “Before you get carried away with planning on what revenge you are going to inflict on Baron Kersal, we need to plan how to help Charlotte.”

Elizabeth’s words focused the attention of the pair and they each reluctantly let go of the other. “If you know of how I could get employment, I would be most grateful,” Charlotte said.

Elizabeth noticed the firm set of Stephen’s jaw, but spoke before he could say anything. “There will be no need for you to seek a position, and you may stay here for as long as you wish,” she offered.

“Oh no!” Charlotte responded quickly. “I cannot rely on you for the rest of my days. I must be able to earn my living.”

“I would not expect you to be here for the rest of your days!” Elizabeth said with a smile at the naïve comment. “With your looks, all we need to do is have a few dinner parties and you would be married within the month!” She suppressed the smile that wanted to show itself at the look on Stephen’s face. Her refusal of his marriage proposal had not upset him as much as her last words had done. She was enjoying seeing such a betrayal of feelings, but she had doubts about his suitability for Charlotte.

Charlotte had blushed at Elizabeth’s words. “I would prefer to find honest work so I can support myself,” she replied quietly, but firmly. She could not express that she had already been spoiled for others; she knew she could not have him, but the only man she wanted was Stephen. She did not want to be paraded around the local gentry.

Michael thought it best to interrupt. “You may stay as long as you wish, there is no point rushing into a decision,” he said kindly to Charlotte. “In the meantime you do need to write to your uncle and let him know you are safe.”

“I can’t do that!” Charlotte exclaimed, the feelings of fear and panic overriding her previous reticence when speaking to Michael.

“He is your guardian,” Michael explained with a smile. “He will be worried.”

“I sent him a letter, saying that I was eloping,” Charlotte almost moaned. “He will think I am a fallen woman, he will want nothing to do with me.”

“I am sure if he knows the truth, he will understand,” Elizabeth soothed. “Guardians have a way of worrying about their wards.” She smiled at her husband.

“Especially when they have troublesome wards,” Michael groaned in response, but there was no sting to his words.

Charlotte, misunderstanding the words sighed, “Yes, I have been very troublesome.”

Stephen decided that he better be the one to explain the situation to Charlotte because Michael and Elizabeth were smiling at each other and it was making him feel nauseous. “Dunham was Elizabeth’s guardian,” he explained. “She was a complete pain and he was too pig-headed to act on his feelings.”

“I heard that, Stephen,” Elizabeth said indignantly. “But your uncle must be worried Charlotte. Why don’t you let Michael write to him and explain some of what has gone on, and invite him to stay here for a few days? That way you can have time to think about what you really want to do and the two of you will be able to talk things through.”

Elizabeth’s words were tempting to Charlotte; it would be a relief if she could sort things out with her uncle. He was her only relative and although they would never be close, it did bother her to know that he would be thinking badly of her. She was mulling over her options when Stephen intervened.