Page 29 of His By Sunrise (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #3)

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Cavendish House

St. James Place

Mayfair, London

Charlotte stood peering into the full-length cheval glass, turning this way and that as she assessed the gown she’d chosen for tonight’s rout.

Of course, it was beautiful, and in a cranberry color leaning toward red with a full skirt, with a low bodice lined with lace, a tie around the waist with a bow at the small of her back, and a delicate lace overskirt of the same color.

It had been recently acquired from a modiste, and though the rout this evening was to have been to announce that Lord Danville would formally pay his addresses to her, she rather thought Edwin would admire the autumnal hue instead.

A slow smile curved her lips while a blush stained her cheeks, for her mind skipped back to last night when her former husband had indeed sneaked into her house and up to her bedchamber.

They’d coupled, of course, and it had been quick and forceful, but they’d had to be quiet.

Knowing that they might be discovered at any time had proved an effective aphrodisiac.

Truth be told, though, she much preferred when she could make all the noise she wished, for Edwin was quite talented in making her scream.

It would need to wait until later. Perhaps even tonight after the rout, for she’d already made up her mind that she would not return to her room here in her father’s house. She would go home with the man she hoped would be her husband. A second time.

With a sigh, she smoothed a gloved hand down the front of her gown.

Had the numerous couplings she’d already enjoyed with him resulted in putting a babe in her belly?

Only time would tell, but she wanted that possibility to be truth so much.

It would prove a lovely start to a renewed union for them both.

“The gown is wonderful on you, my lady.” Her maid, Darcy, bustled in from the adjoining room with a wrap of crocheted silk and lace in an ivory hue. “And you’ll probably need the wrap. There is a chill in the air.”

Indeed, there was, which only served to remind her of the rain that fell outside her window.

It was one of those nights where all she wanted to do was burrow into bed with a soft fire dancing in the hearth and have a book in hand with a candle’s glow on the bedside table, and if she were fortunate, Edwin would lounge beside her, his head in her lap as he read from his own volume.

“Thank you, Darcy.” She accepted the garment with a faint smile. “Do you think I need some sort of jewelry tonight?”

“I shouldn’t think so. The gown is striking enough.”

Charlotte nodded. “You are probably right.”

“Are you excited for this evening?”

“In more ways than one.” Dear heavens, she couldn’t wait to announce to the world that her heart had belonged to Edwin all along, that she’d carried a torch for him despite what had happened between them, despite the divorce, despite everything that had torn them apart.

And oh, how excited she was to explore another courtship with him.

Everything within her felt calm, as if it were always supposed to happen.

A knock sounded at her door. With a glance at her, Darcy went to answer it.

“Is Lady Charlotte within?” It was the housekeeper, Mrs. Harmon.

“Yes, mum.” Darcy stood back so the other woman could see.

“Is something amiss, Mrs. Harmon?” Charlotte asked as she drifted to the door.

“There is not, but His Lordship wants you in the drawing room posthaste. He is antsy, for most of the guests have arrived and he wishes to make his announcement.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “Uh, do you know if the Duke of Nottingham, er, rather Mr. Coatesville, is here yet?”

“I couldn’t say, my lady.” The housekeeper eyed her askance. “Lord Danville has also arrived and is awaiting your presence.”

The muscles in Charlotte’s belly clenched in protest. Though she’d hoped not to see the viscount again, that wasn’t possible. “I’ll come down directly.”

“Very good, my lady.” Then the housekeeper departed.

With a sigh, Charlotte glanced at Darcy. “I suppose I should go down.”

“Of course.” The maid nodded. “Have a lovely evening.”

“Thank you. I shall certainly try.” The only thing that kept her from hiding in her rooms was the knowledge that she would see Edwin.

The moment she stepped into the crowded drawing room, she was ill-at-ease.

Anxiety crawled over her skin, and the first person she laid eyes on was William.

Just a week ago, if she had been the same woman she was then, her heart would have skipped a beat and she would have been quite excited to see him, knowing he would be a part of her future.

But today? After the lovely time she’d spent with Edwin and coming to a new understanding with her former husband?

The last thing she wanted was to waste time with the viscount.

But that was a bit of her own mess, and she needed to clean it up.

“Ah, Lady Charlotte, there you are.” He met her at the side of the room with his hands outstretched, and she had no choice but to grasp them. “I have been waiting for this night all week.”

She tamped down on the urge to retch all over his shoes.

“Good evening, Lord Danville.” There was no need to say anything else, for she was completely done with the man.

“How have you kept yourself over the past few days?” As she spoke, she moved her gaze about the room in a desperate bid to find Edwin.

“I’ve been quite well, especially knowing that we’ll make this announcement tonight.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I trust you have managed to convince your reprobate former husband to give you up?”

Might as well have that conversation now instead of waiting for later. “About that.” She pulled him further over to the side of the room near the open double doors. “Edwin and I have decided to make a second go of our relationship.”

“I beg your pardon?” His expression changed from excitement to astonishment. “You and I had an agreement, though.”

“Circumstances have changed.” That was something she wouldn’t apologize for.

“I thought you wanted nothing else to do with that criminal.” Annoyance threaded through his tone.

She gently removed her hands from his. “Keep your voice down.”

“You can understand why I am upset.” His eyes flashed anger. “We had discussed this prior to him coming back into your life.” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “What the hell did you do with the man at his country property?”

“That isn’t your business, Danville.”

Both Charlotte and William turned about as Edwin approached.

Her heart gave a large leap when she saw him, and her heartbeat accelerated.

“Edwin!” Dear heavens, he was so handsome in his evening clothing!

The tailcoat only served to emphasize the breadth of his shoulders while the waistcoat of red satin called attention to his flat abdomen.

How much did she want to burrow her fingers beneath those layers of clothes to feel the heat of his skin against her fingers?

“Good evening, Lady Charlotte.” A twinkle moved through his eyes as if he knew a secret that no one else did, and she hoped that it was because of her, of them together.

Then he landed his narrowed gaze on the viscount.

“Please respect what the lady has told you. She and I have made a renewed commitment to each other, and if all goes well, we will tell a few people before the night is over.”

“Ha. I’d have to be dead before I’ll allow you to do anything else with her.” The viscount took her arm and yanked her over to his side. “She is with me now, and she would do well to remember which one of us has the sterling reputation.”

A heated wave of anger shot through Charlotte’s chest. “I am not an object to be owned, by either of you.” Activity in the room about them continued, for the guests wished to dance, so that required furniture being shoved to the sides and the carpets rolled up.

William escorted her toward the doors. “Tell this man to leave, Charlotte,” he hissed in a whisper. “I’ll not allow him to thwart my plans again.”

“The only reason you are here today is because of me,” Edwin’s response in an equally emotionally charged whisper.

He shoved the fingers of one hand through his hair, that tended to curl toward his collar, and she was quite glad he hadn’t cut it to a proper length.

“I’m not claiming to have a sterling reputation, but at least I’m not a damned murderer. ”

Oh, dear. This is growing out of hand.

Before she could do anything about it, her father called to her from across the room and over the general din. “Charlotte, dear, come join me for this first dance tonight. We have always done this country reel together.”

Of course he would wish to continue that tradition tonight. “But I’m having a conversation with—”

“Now, poppet.” The command of the earl was in his voice, and since there were so many pairs of eyes watching, she couldn’t argue. “Of course, Papa.” She bounced her gaze between William and Edwin. “Behave until I return.” It wasn’t ideal, but there was nothing she could do about it.

But as the floor in the middle of the room filled with couples who wished to be part of the country reel, she kept her focus on Edwin. He and William were still exchanging words near the open double doors, and then, as the reel began, her father demanded her attention.

“What the devil are you doing, Charlotte? You know the purpose of this rout.”

She snapped her gaze to her father’s face.

“As I told William, circumstances have changed with me. Edwin and I have had many conversations lately, discussions that we should have had before the divorce ever happened, and because of that, I have given him permission to pay his addresses to me again.”

Consternation lay stamped over her father’s face. “I refuse to welcome that man into the family a second time. He is a horrid person.”