The Rake and The Rose (A Rake's Mistake) (9 page)

“In this weather?” Thunder rolled and lightning cracked the sky and he rushed to the first floor front hall, Francesca had a cloaked Charlotte leaning against her. She was shivering from the cold.

“She wouldn’t come out…I need to get her toy, she won’t come down.” It was late, and he wondered how long Charlotte had been gone.

“James? When did you realize she was not in her rooms?”

“Well, my Lord, Laura took the servants entrance and realized that not a thing had been disturbed…perhaps a couple hours ago was when she had supposedly gone to bed.”

He watched Francesca whip the cloak off and Sophie wrapped her up in a blanket “Come on Charlotte,” Sophie crooned at her.

“No, she’s outside, she’s scared. I need to go get her toy…”

He heard tears in her voice. He also realized that she had not even shed a tear during the entire time she had been there. She had never shown any type of emotions on the topic of her own demise, no screaming or cursing unless prodded too much but even then. She was very level headed. Hearing it for the scrap of fur out in the rain made his chest ache.

He came to her front and looked at her “Charlotte, where is Precious?”

“No, she won’t come to you! You promised me!” Her tears burst from her, and she beat on his chest when he tried to hold her. Startled by her attack he backed away, as Sophie gently pushed him aside.

“She’s tired my Lord…please.”

“No, it’s alright. Take her to get rest.”

He already knew what he was going to do and grabbed his own cloak and gloves. Now he really hated cats.

Charlotte slept with unease, her dreams and slight cold that she had caught made her headache. She kept hearing
Precious mewling in the willow tree trapped in a high hollow where an owl once lived.

“Precious!” she had called and called as rain pelted her but the frightened kitten had just yowled in complaint and fear.

Alexander came in, drenched. The rainstorm had come out of nowhere in torrents and after searching the front so he tried the garden. With luck, he heard a small squeaking sound that he had recognized through the thunder. The damn thing was sopping wet and stuck in a hole of a tree.
Just like a cat to be angry at the person trying to save it. 
He thought. 
Ungrateful beast! I ought to leave you here…
But on the tail of that thought he remembered the person he was getting the cat for.

“Here cat…Precious.” He had easily climbed up part of the way and reached, earning a stripe of claw marks on his hand. “Oh, confounded beast! Look, do you want to go back to Charlotte or not? Obviously you are what she needs, so get over here!”

He snatched it up on the second try, but it squirmed free and backed up again mewling in fear. Her yellow eyes wide, the black expanded nearly hiding the color.

“Come on now kitty…” he sighed “Come on...” he whispered to her, and suddenly looking at him the kitten seemed to recognize something and leapt at him, digging her sharp little nails into his chest. “Ack! Damn thing, you had better make her happy!”

Now at home, the kitten was still latched to him in a death grip.  Francesca had a lantern “Alexander! You’re back. It took a while.”

“Damn thing wouldn’t come down.” Although its claws were burrowed in his chest, the rabbit tailed kitten purred. “Ungrateful lout you are, cat.” But he did not verbally admit he was relieved.

Francesca chuckled “Charlotte’s dead asleep, I’ve never seen someone so upset over an animal, but she doesn’t have much does she?” Alexander nodded.

“I’ll dry her off and take her to Charlotte,” said Francesca.

“No, I’ll take her, Francesca.” Alexander nodded to her and smiled.

Charlotte woke up in tears. She felt awful and guilty when the thunder struck, and that poor defenseless animal was all alone.

“Charlotte?” That hadn’t been thunder, but the door! “Charlotte?” Oh no, it was Alexander!

“Go away Cromwell. I never wish to speak to you again!” she swore at him and dove back under the covers. She realized she was being dramatic, but didn't care much. 

The door opened and she sighed, “Don't you ever listen!” she sat up and let out a sound of surprise. Alexander held a tiny ball of newly dried white fur, with a mangled pink bow. “Precious?”

“She does not like me too much.” He pried her claws from his chest and set her on the bed. Once the kitten shook her fur and glanced around grudgingly, spotting Charlotte she hopped over and cuddled against her purring in delight.

“I brought a dish of food too one for you, and her" indeed there was a tray and on it was a cover over something. "Francesca said this was what the little devil ate.” He picked up the cover, and getting what he was looking for, set down a tiny crystal bowl.

It was one she knew Giselle would be squawking over if she found it in her room. It was filled with chicken bits and beef chunks apparently from dinner earlier. Her own plate had everything including some apples and cheese. 

“I heard what Giselle did.  Please know it was not my wish.” He said softly. "I didn't know what you liked, so I just brought you some of everything. I need you to eat,"

Charlotte saw the truth in the remorseful look in his eyes and suddenly realized that he had claw marks on his hands! He was soaked!

“Oh God, you went and found her!” she exclaimed.

“As I stated…she does not like me.” He grudgingly scratched the kittens back as she wolfed down her food. Charlotte got up but swayed slightly. “Easy! Charlotte you might have a fever from being in the cold so long. You shouldn’t have done that.” He had stepped forward and sat her on the edge of the bed, gently placing a large warm hand on her forehead. “You could get seriously ill at this rate," he murmured. Her heart felt warm, when he looked at her that way.

She leaned forward her head pressed to his stomach “Thank you…” her voice broke.

Alexander lifted her head and stared at her gently. “If I had thought it meant that much to you I would not have fought you on it prior.” He stroked her temples with his thumbs and she shivered. The look in his eyes made her curious, especially when they fell to her mouth.

“Alexander?” her bare whisper reached him, because his pupils dilated and the crack of lightning illuminated the expanse of them.

He stared down at her, her long hair a tangled soft mess and he combed his fingers through it to detangle it.

“Poor Sweetling…Such a rough night you've had,” he growled at her.  The blush that stole across her face caused him to want to push her down and make her beg for him. He reined himself in; he had to stay away from her.

That was it.

“Get better and rest for the next few days, yes? Both of you.” He glanced at the cat and with determination he placed a soft kiss on Charlotte's forehead and left.

He left Charlotte warm and happy, but confused and wanting something she could not name.

C
hapter
07

It took a few days for her to start feeling better, but once she got a bit of fresh air, it went on smoothly. Even Alexander started visiting her more. He checked in on her periodically, and even Precious was starting to get used to him.

She did small chores, like mending and helping Sophie clean vegetables. She read to Lady Anne, and everything was great fun. Her days were filled with iced punch, chess- which she was pretty good at she found- with James, helping with the horses and reading over papers with Alexander when he did not have the time.

He was
even more distant to her, and his attention was on the Ladies he courted. Charlotte had some unknown feeling in her being, it was sharp whenever she saw him stare at another woman. And it hurt.

But it was nothing compared to the expression Alexander had when he found out Mr. Whitmore came to call. Sophie led him, all dressed up in his finery into the kitchens, and Charlotte nearly dropped Precious when she saw him. "Oh! Heavens…Mr. Whitmore. What on earth! What are you doing here?"

"Well you said you worked at Cromwell's estate. I figured I would pay the lovely lady a visit. And please, Miss Charlotte, call me Charles." He had brought her a beautiful bouquet of dandelions. She took them timidly and he kissed her hand. She realized she was in an apron and blushed.

"Please, give me a moment I need to go get into something a bit nicer."

"Heavens, you could hardly become more beautiful than you already are, but go, pretty flower, if you must."

She gave Sophie a strange look of what on earth is he gagging on about? The cook had to stifle a chuckle.

She could hear Sophie tell James, who was looking with an eyebrow raised, "Wait till the master hears of this." She elbowed him with a smirk.

When she was upstairs she fussed over feeling conscious.  She donned the emerald dress, the one that made her look like a woman of higher rank. She felt more confident as the fabric made her red hair more vibrant, and tucked her locket away safely.

Instead of tying her hair up, she tossed her head upside down and brushed it out. Charlotte had resigned herself to the fact that Alexander would be bound to another, and she must look to herself for her future. Her red curls coiled and bounced down her back. She strained her lips with soft rouge and that was it. She was ready.

She saw Charles standing by the door. He was a bit shorter than Alexander, and leaner. It occurred to her that Alexander was very unlike any 'Gentleman' that she had seen, skinny and limp wristed. She wondered why.

But Charles nonetheless was handsome in his own right. She was mortified when Alexander just so happened to be walking by, not even noticing Charles as he looked about for something, or someone. He saw her at the top of the stairs and looked confused before he opened his mouth to speak to her though, "Good day Cromwell." Charles chipper voice piped up.

Alexander stopped dead in his tracks and turned fully to face the man in his home "Charles?" and looked at him strangely. "What the devil are you doing here? Do you need something?"

She noticed that indeed Alexander was far more formidable looking, muscle tightened along his body when he saw Whitmore.

"Oh no, just paying your lovely new hire, Charlotte, a call." Charles wore a large smile.

Now he had Alexander’s full attention and the Marquess was stalk still. Charlotte watched from the top of the stairs curious as to what his face looked like. With him facing Charles and not her, she couldn't tell, but his back had gone stiff.

"I beg your pardon?" Alexander could hardly believe his ears.
What the blazes does he want with Charlotte? 
Charles was a notorious ladies’ man, but he usually went after rich women, not ones that simply had beauty.

"Charlotte, your new help?" Charles was oblivious to Alexander's discomfort.

“I know whom you speak of Charles-
my question is, why?”

“Well, she is new and I simply wanted-” Charles now was aware that Alexander did not seemed pleased. “to show her about London perchance.”

“Without being chaperoned?” Alexander glared. “Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?” He wanted this man gone…not soon, but
now
.

“For a Lady of stature-” Alexander’s expression turned to stone, Charles amended “Not that Charlotte is not lovely and regal, yes but she is not of noble breeding, it’s simply a walk Cromwell, do calm down.”

Alexander stopped
Why am I getting so worked up? It’s just a walk, and she lives here not somewhere far away where he could do something to her…
"Ah, well," he cleared his throat "Forgive me, she had a spell a few days ago and I just worry about her health. Take care with her, I don't want her taxing herself."

"Oh don't worry Cromwell, I won't
tax
her at all." The wolfish grin made Alexander grimace; he still didn't like the idea of Charlotte out and about with this man.
Any man…except me, only me
He shoved the thought back to the depths from which it had come from.

Alexander heard footsteps and turned to see Charlotte descending the stairs.  And realized she had been there the whole time. As always she looked beautiful. Lady Deirdre had also arrived, but he hardly noticed her arrival, which made her huff at his side and pout.

"Alexander, you were going to take me to the shops,"

He heard
her whine and he found himself thoroughly annoyed. He wanted a wife not a petulant child. "Ah, yes…of course Deirdre."

He disengaged her arm gently and glanced at Charlotte, who inhaled sharply when their eyes met. He saw the locket had come into view quivering against her breast, with her hitched breathing. He felt his own chest constrict. The dress was simple, but lovely and left little for his imagination.

"Ah! Miss Charlotte!" Charles bowed, a bit too low and Alexander felt the need to whap him across the head, when his head bent too close to the part of her anatomy that had previously held his attention.

He cleared his throat and Charles's eyes broke contact with Charlotte's startled gaze. Charles straightened and cleared his own throat. She gulped and glanced at Alexander.

"What are you and Lady Deirdre up to?" She was fisting her skirts and he found himself struck with need to have them clutch at him instead.

Charles was eyeing her like a man who had seen heaven. As where she was eying him like a snake and Alexander like a savior. James, who had been standing with Alexander's cloak and gloves, looked at her with a stoic, but carefully placed grin. Charlotte had a feeling the whole staff would know what had happened the moment they were gone.

"We are going to go look at frocks and scarves. I doubt you'd be interested. It's just a market day in London. Traders and such" Lady Deirdre seemed rather prim, and smiled at her and Charles.  She did not seem unkind, but neither did she seem friendly. Charlotte did not really know what to think of that.

"Perhaps we can join you Cromwell? I'd love to show Charlotte the sights." Charles spoke up and Charlotte seeing an opening jumped in.

"Oh, please I would so love to see a few interesting items. Sophie said interesting things show up from time to time."
Dear heaven, I sound so dull, ‘interesting’ is that the only word I know?
She wanted to slap herself.

Alexander glanced at her and she felt his gaze like a mouse would a viper in its presence. He also looked pleased with the fact that she wanted to join them "I do not think that would be any problem, Lady Deidre?"

"Of course not, we want Charlotte and her new friend to be
comfortable
." The purr in her tone made Charlotte's skin cringe. They all headed out the door.

"Is there anything you want in particular?" Alexander asked her softly when he saw Lady Deirdre and Charles start up a conversation as they went down the steps.

"Just some things for embroidery perhaps, I am not quite sure." he glanced down at her face which was withdrawn. "Thank you, for inviting us. I fear that I had no idea he would be here and I am quite startled."

He saw truth in that statement and took comfort, as where the jealousy in his chest raged.

"But, who knows what tomorrow will bring, he seems a decent enough gentleman…what do you think?"

"You care what I think?" He sounded sarcastic.

"My Lord I always have a care for what you think," she whispered. Alexander wanted to shoot himself.

"I'd be careful. His reputation precedes him." Charlotte took the words quietly before nodding with a soft smile, as she was helped into the carriage. She and Lady Deirdre sat side by side and she fiddled with her skirts.

He found himself watching her and bristling when Charles would lean forward to ask her something.  She would answer in that soft tone he'd never heard before. She was always outspoken with him. And now, it looked as if her light had been snuffed. 

Charlotte never hid herself when she was with him. Lady Deirdre seemed keen on keeping his attention on her, and he smiled at her when she spoke to him. He wondered if Charlotte watched him as well. She did, and the entire ride made her want to rip Deirdre’s face apart, when she'd bat her eyelashes at Alexander and he'd give her a lopsided smirk. It burned her from the inside out.

I can play this little game too.

She laughed at Charles's jokes, and softly looked up at him from time to time. She allowed his hand to brush hers in conversation. She noticed the tick in Alexander's jaw get worse. It brought her pleasure for the small victory. When they reached London she looked out of the window in fascination, her eyes wide as plates.

Charlotte had never seen so many people- or rather never remembered seeing so many people- and her petite nose wrinkled at the scents. The wind tossed a few curls about and she nearly jumped out of her skin when Charles reached out and tucked a curl behind her ear. He murmured an apology for startling her.

"Jumpy little thing, aren't you?" Charles joked with an intrigued look on his face. She didn't like it, not at all. And from a side-glance at Alexander he looked cool and collected, it bothered her to think it had no effect on him. If she only knew how it did affect him.

Alexander got out of the carriage first with Charles and they helped Lady Deirdre and Charlotte out. He had somehow gotten Charlotte, and his hand slid on her waist secretly squeezing.  He felt her body jump in response, but she kept a cool look of composure. He loved the slide of satin on his hands, especially when it would slide off, oh so easily.

He briskly shook the thought from his head. Charles offered Charlotte his arm and she gingerly took it.  Lady Deirdre taking his they started walking near the markets in London's Business district. Plenty of people walked about and nodded their hellos.

Alexander noticed Charlotte getting peculiar looks in regards to her hair. He lolled back when Lady Deirdre had released him and walked alongside of Charles. He glanced at Charlotte from different angles as she walked and noticed he had gotten a bit far behind. He wondered if she noticed.

As they walked Charlotte stopped abruptly "Where is Lord Cromwell?"

"Right here, Miss Charlotte." He was smiling at her in a strange way, and she noticed Charles sidle closer. It bothered her dearly. Lady Deirdre watched how Charles doted on her. Charlotte wished that the man would leave her alone.

"Lord Cromwell, perhaps Mr. Whitmore can teach you a thing about wooing," she fanned herself and batted her eyelashes at him.

Charlotte coughed abruptly. "Perhaps you can learn when to be a Lady and be quiet," was her quick retort and she heard Alexander cough to hide a chuckle.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing."  She smiled obviously forcing it; Lady Deirdre frowned.  Charlotte watched her quickly walk alongside Charles, obviously seeing more attention in him.