Page 32 of Her Temporary Duke (Rakes and Roses #2)

T wo days later, Charlotte was taking tea in the gardens of Prescott Estate.

Rain had plagued the previous day, and Charlotte had felt cooped up inside.

The night before that, Seth had said goodbye to her with a passionate kiss at the estate’s grounds.

She looked up as Marie ambled out of the house, coming towards her with what looked like an envelope.

“Is that a note from the Duke of Bellmonte?” Charlotte said hopefully.

“I do not believe so, my lady. Are you expecting something from him?”

“Only regarding our trip to the north,” she nodded, “I have not yet broached the subject with Aunt Phyllis, though.”

“From the postmark, this comes from York, my lady,” Marie replied.

Charlotte felt a surge of excitement, taking the envelope and tearing it open without accepting the letter opener that Marie had offered. She unfolded the letter and began to read. The door to the house opened again. Aunt Phyllis appeared, escorted by Reginald.

Charlotte had time to read that the letter was addressed to Amelia and felt her hopes dashed. Skimming to the bottom of the page, she saw it was from Aunt Judith and Uncle Henry. Regretfully, she folded it and put it back into the envelope, concealing it under her napkin.

“Cousin Amelia, may we have a word?” Reginald asked, overly polite.

“Of course, Cousin Reginald. It is your house, after all,” Charlotte smiled, and Marie took the cue to step away.

Aunt Phyllis shook her head silently as she sat, Reginald sitting beside her.

“We are concerned about your choices,” her cousin began earnestly.

“Which in particular?” she asked.

“Your behavior at Almacks,” Aunt Phyllis put in abruptly. “I have never known anyone to be asked to leave before. I should not be surprised if your voucher is revoked after that exhibition.”

“My voucher?” Charlotte asked, confused.

Aunt Phyllis looked at her as though she were mad. Reginald seemed unsurprised, even smiling to himself, though concealing it from his mother.

“Good Lord, I do not know where your head is today. Are you sickened for something?” Aunt Phyllis demanded.

“Almacks' Assembly rooms are accessed by invitation only,” Reginald started.

“The patronesses provide vouchers to the ladies of the ton considered worthy of admittance. And can remove said vouchers at their whim. But, of course, I am reminding you of basic facts you were well aware of. The events of the last couple of nights have momentarily driven it from your mind.”

Charlotte sat, mouth agape for a moment. Then, she quickly replied, “Indeed, it had. Yes, I should not be surprised if that happens.”

Amelia will not care either way. I certainly do not, now that I know Amelia does not desire to live in London.

“You do not seem to regret that catastrophic fact at all!” Aunt Phyllis wailed.

“ Catastrophic , Aunt?” Charlotte said, brows pinching, “I would hardly call it that.”

“Everyone who is anyone attends Almacks during the season! To be excluded is to be ostracized. And you are Amelia Nightingale. It is unthinkable!”

Reginald smirked again at that, covering his mouth with his hand. Aunt Phyllis noticed and directed part of her glare at her son.

“Whatever is the matter, Reginald? This is no joking matter!”

“Indeed, Mama. I agree that Amelia Nightingale would be deeply concerned at losing her Almack’s voucher.”

The way he enunciated the name made it clear that he knew that he was not looking at Amelia Nightingale when addressing Charlotte.

“Perhaps we should write to her sister Charlotte to ask for her advice?” Reginald suggested.

“There is a sister?” Aunt Phyllis said.

“Yes, my twin sister,” Charlotte affirmed, with no little vexation.

“Aunt Judith and Uncle Henry did not take us together to Hamilton House because they thought twins would be too much for one family, remember? I came here. Charlotte went to the Nightingales,” she reminded, keeping the ire from her voice.

What family does not know, let alone acknowledge their blood?

“Ah, yes, I do seem to remember something about that now. I have little correspondence with your late father’s family. I disapproved of my sister marrying your father in the first place.” She shuddered. “The North is such an uncouth place. Not for the likes of us at all.”

“Anyway, there will be no need to write to Charlotte as I will be traveling to see her as soon as possible,” Charlotte announced. There appeared no better time to broach the subject.

“What a coincidence!” Reginald crowed.

“I should say that you are not. You must not!” Aunt Phyllis chided, rising in aghast. “You must apologize to the patronesses of Almacks’ and publicly distance yourself from the Duke of Bellmonte.

He is a bad influence. I have had word from the Dowager Countess of Tewkesbury of his infamy. Entirely unsuitable!”

“I thought you were happy with my betrothal,” Charlotte murmured.

“I was at the time. Before I knew what kind of man he was! I do now. Besides, Francis and Claire must be matched first. No, quite out of the question.”

Charlotte smiled tightly, containing her anger.

You entirely erased my existence. Split me from my sister. What right do you think you have to dictate where I go and where I do not? Let alone whom I see or marry!

“The preparations are underway, Aunt Phyllis,” Charlotte informed her calmly. “I will be leaving shortly.”

“I forbid it!”

“You can forbid me nothing,” she replied.

“Reginald will not allow you to use our carriages, traps, or horses.”

“I have alternative means of transportation,” she shrugged.

Aunt Phyllis stared at her, mouth opening and closing as she looked for another argument. Charlotte sipped tea and smiled pleasantly, dividing her stare between her Aunt and cousin. Reginald was watching her with shrewd eyes, fingers steepled under his chin.

“Do you… happen to be traveling with the Duke of Bellmonte?” he asked.

Aunt Phyllis gasped.

“Yes,” Charlotte nodded.

“You cannot—you must not. The scandal! Oh, the scandal!” Aunt Phyllis moaned.

Charlotte almost scoffed. “It is not a scandal, Aunt. We are engaged to be married. We are not eloping. Merely traveling to York to visit my sister.”

“But you will be traveling alone in the company of a man, who... who...” Aunt Phyllis stammered.

“Is a rake,” Reginald finished for her.

“Precisely! Reconsider, dear Amelia, please!” her aunt implored.

A footman was crossing the lawn to them just then. Reginald glanced back, and the man stopped, before stooping to whisper something in his ear.

“It seems His Grace the Duke of Bellmonte is here,” Reginald uttered slowly.

“Tell him that he is not welcome!” Aunt Phyllis cried out, “tell him, Reginald!”

“I will, mother. Do not worry,” Reginald said, rising.

“No, I will do it. I need to stretch my legs anyway,” Charlotte put in hurriedly.

“I will escort you, then,” Reginald smirked, “so that you do not have to be alone with such an odious man.”

“Good thinking, Reginald. Go with her!” her aunt instructed.

Reginald walked with Charlotte across the lawn towards the house.

“Charlotte?” her cousin asked.

Charlotte looked at him, and he grinned.

“I thought so. When my friend at Debrett’s reminded me that Amelia Nightingale had an identical twin sister, it all made sense.

All the little things that Amelia would not have said or done.

So, if I have this right, your father was William Nightingale.

He married my mother’s sister, Lucy. When she died, you were taken in by William’s brother, Henry Nightingale, and Amelia by Lucy’s sister, my mother. ”

“You have the right of it, Reginald. Well done,” Charlotte mumbled, before shrewdly adding, “Actually, this is the first opportunity I have had to broach the subject with you of Victoria, your beau.”

They reached the door to the house, and Reginald allowed her to step inside before him.

“Oh? Ironic, considering it was the issue of the hat size that put me onto your little game,” Reginald smiled to himself proudly.

“Do not be sinister, Reginald. It does not suit you,” Charlotte said irritably, rounding on him as they stood in a sitting room that looked out over the lawn.

Aunt Phyllis could be seen in the distance, shaking her head as though conflicted.

“Victoria is very fond of you and does not want or need expensive gifts. Only you, yourself. Lord knows why,”

Reginald snorted in disdain. “I think perhaps you are looking for a way to avoid providing me the loan I need to secure independence for Victoria. I know Amelia has a great deal of money. She would not even notice the amount I would require.”

“I wouldn’t know. I am not she,” Charlotte reminded him.

“Please, Charlotte, she must have discussed such matters with you before you took her place. I imagine it is something you have done before?”

Charlotte reluctantly nodded, and he smiled with self-satisfaction.

“I only wish to set Victoria up so she does not feel solely reliant on me or another. She should be independent, run her own small business. That is what she has always wanted.”

“Amelia is unwell. Which is why I am leaving for the north,” Charlotte said, “she told me nothing this time. The correspondence she left for me was damaged in flood waters. So, I have been in the dark ever since I arrived. I have nothing to give you and can promise nothing of Amelia’s.”

Reginald looked skeptical. “I imagine you do not wish your identity to become widely known?”

If that happened, then Seth would be accused of adultery by Tewkesbury, and he would lose everything. It will not happen if I can help it.

“I do not. Please, Reginald,” Charlotte beseeched.

“You plead with me for something you want, but will not grant me what I want in return. Hardly fair, cousin.”

At that moment, a commotion arose elsewhere in the house. There was the sound of raised voices and hurried footsteps. Then the door flew open, and Seth strode into the room. He clutched a newspaper in one hand and shrugged off a servant with the other.

“Did you order that my entry to this house be denied, Hartham?” he demanded.

“I did. You are not welcome since you endangered the reputation of my cousin,” Reginald turned to face the Duke, lifting his chin.

“Why, you impudent knave!” Seth roared, “She is my betrothed.”

“Yes, third in a row, isn’t it?” Reginald sneered, “That word seems to have no meaning when it comes to you.”

“Seth, please!” Charlotte stepped between them, looked up at Seth, and put a placating hand to his chest.

His eyes were ablaze, but they softened as they fell on Charlotte.

“I came over to tell you we may leave as soon as you like. I have my carriage waiting outside, and notes have been sent ahead for replacement horses to be readied for us along the route. But this was brought to my attention as I left the house.”

He held up the slim newspaper, crumpling it in his fist. Charlotte took it, smoothed it out, and looked at the first page.

“It claims that I have been having an adulterous affair with a mysterious woman named Charlotte. That I am a liar, cheat, and not worthy of my title. It quotes that reptile Tewkesbury! That bastard hopes to erase me from my own bloodline. I will not stand for this.”

“Surely, he cannot act based on rumor?” Charlotte coaxed, “It is not as if this woman will come forward and corroborate his account.”

“No, but a member of her family might,” Reginald arched a brow.

Charlotte whirled.

“What do you mean?” Seth hissed, “Amelia, what is he...”

“He knows, Seth. He knows who I am,” she told him.

Seth’s face paled as he looked from Charlotte to Reginald.

“And I only have the smallest of requests to maintain my silence,” Reginald added, lifting his hands in a harmless gesture.

“I had intended to ask Cousin Charlotte here to obtain the money from her sister to let me buy the premises I need. But I also need a scandal-free means of extricating myself from my unwanted betrothal. And you, rake and adulterer that you are, may be able to help me with that.”

Seth growled and lunged for Reginald, but Charlotte caught his arm, spinning him to face her.

Reginald smoothly stepped a safe distance back. “It is not much, I ask. And from what I hear, it is well within your usual sphere. Give me grounds to claim that my betrothed has broken her vows, and you and my cousin may travel to the north to speak to Amelia and obtain the money I need.”

“You blackguard! You’ll get nothing from either of us!” Seth snarled.

Reginald had backed away to the door now.

“Then perhaps I should tell this fellow Tewkesbury who it is you were thrown out of Almacks’ for kissing? Think on it.”

Before Seth could respond, he maneuvered himself out of the room and hurriedly shut the door behind him. Seth snatched the newspaper and hurled it at the closed door.

“He is not a bad man,” Charlotte pressed softly. “Let me talk to him. He is just in love and desperate. I think if I can get his beloved to speak to him, she will make him see sense.”

Seth shook his head, pacing the room.

“He is an irritant, but Tewkesbury is the real problem. He has called me out publicly. If I do not respond, it will be judged that everything he has said is true. I must challenge him.”

“Challenge him? Whatever do you mean?” Charlotte asked, furrowing her brows.

“To a duel,” Seth said bleakly, “if I win, then my case is proved, and his words are shown to be lies.”

“But… but… if he wins, you could be dead!”