Page 29

“It’s a good possibility,” Jaclyn answered. “Should we meet them outside and warn them about her father?”

“I don’t know…” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “It’s not that I don’t want to…”

“But you don’t think we will reach her before someone else does,” Jaclyn finished for her. She sighed. “You’re correct, of course. We won’t.” She nodded at the window again. “Because someone else is already outside. They must have seen the riders as well.”

Georgina looked out the window and noticed the lone figure slowly walking toward the two riders.

It was Miss Spencer. She would reach them long before Jaclyn or Georgina could.

She would inform Charlotte of her father’s arrival, but nothing else.

She doubted that Miss Spencer knew why the duke had arrived.

The only reason Jaclyn and Georgina knew anything was because they had overheard the duke’s pronouncement.

“We might still be able to help,” Georgina said. “She’ll need our support at the very least. We should go down and be there for her.”

“I agree.” Jaclyn turned away from the window and started toward the door. “Are you coming?” She glanced over her shoulder. “We should make haste, don’t you think?”

“Of course,” Georgina replied. “I’ll follow you down.”

She was glad that Charlotte appeared to be all right, but the dilemma hadn’t been resolved yet. Not entirely, and she wasn’t so certain it would be easy to weave through it all. She nibbled on her bottom lip as she walked with Jaclyn down the stairs.

They slipped outside and headed toward where they had noticed Miss Spencer. They started forward but stopped short. “It is definitely Charlotte and her marquess,” Jaclyn whispered.

“Should we make ourselves known?” Georgina asked.

“Not yet,” Jaclyn told her. “Let’s wait and listen.”

Miss Spencer rushed over to Charlotte and Lord Easton. “Charlotte,” Miss Spencer exclaimed, then hugged her. “Thank goodness. We were so worried.”

“I’m all right,” Charlotte said. “I’m only here to gather a few of my belongings.”

“You cannot leave,” Miss Spencer said. “Your father is here. He’s taking you home.”

“I am not going anywhere with my father,” Charlotte said mulishly. She had a stern expression on her face. Georgina did not blame her one bit. She wouldn’t want to go anywhere with her own father, and the duke seemed to be much worse.

“I’m afraid that is not your decision,” Miss Spencer explained. She glanced at the marquess and frowned. “My lord. Were you with Lady Charlotte?”

“I was,” Lord Easton said. “And you’ll address her as Lady Easton. My wife deserves your respect.”

Miss Spencer frowned. Then nodded slowly as she met Charlotte’s gaze. “You eloped. We had wondered to where you disappeared after the hunt. We searched but found no signs of you anywhere. It was suspected you were with the marquess, but we couldn’t be certain.”

“When did my father arrive?” Charlotte asked Miss Spencer.

“About an hour ago,” she said. “He’s not going to be happy.” Miss Spencer wrung her hands together, her anxiety evident as she glanced around them.

“He never is.” The duke was a dictatorial arrogant arse.

“Charlotte,” the duke barked from behind her. “Where have you been, girl?”

Slowly Charlotte turned to meet her father’s gaze. “Hello, Father.”

Lord Easton came to stand by Charlotte’s side. “Hello, Your Grace,” he greeted her father.

“And who are you?” the duke demanded.

Georgina tapped Jaclyn on the shoulder. “Should we still be listening to this?”

“Shh,” Jaclyn said. “This is getting interesting. I want to hear more.”

They both turned their attention back to the drama unfolding before them. Jaclyn was correct. It had gotten interesting, and thankfully Charlotte had married her marquess. She would not be forced to wed whatever gentleman her father had chosen for her.

“I am the Marquess of Easton,” Lord Easton said then and declared, “I am also your daughter’s husband.”

“That is preposterous. I never consented to any marriage.” The duke motioned toward Charlotte. “I’ll have it annulled once we return to London. That’s why I am here. It’s time for you to meet your fiancé. All the contracts have been signed. You’ll marry properly once the banns are read.”

“No,” Declan said. “An annulment is impossible.”

“Because you soiled her?” The duke laughed. “She doesn’t need to be a virgin. Danderfield will take her as she is. He might even prefer that she was enceinte. He failed to have a child with his previous wife.”

“What my husband means, Father, is there are too many witnesses to our wedding. It cannot be annulled, and we both know a divorce is too expensive to obtain. I’m staying with my husband. I’m married. Nothing you do can change that.” She jutted her chin out in defiance. “Accept it.”

“Good for her,” Jaclyn whispered. “That dreadful man should be put in his place.”

“I think we should leave now,” Georgina hissed out the words. “There’s nothing we can do here.”

“You’re correct,” Jaclyn agreed, then sighed. “But it is ever so interesting and what else do we have to do with ourselves? We’ve still been banned from attending the house party.”

“True,” she agreed, “but this is not anything we should concern ourselves with.”

“I accept nothing,” the duke shouted. The sound of his loud tone jolted Georgina back to the discussion between Charlotte and her father.

“You want this scoundrel.” The duke pointed at Lord Easton.

“Well, you can have him, but he will not get even a shilling of your dowry. I didn’t approve of the marriage.

You’re cut off from everything. In fact, I will formally disown you. ”

Charlotte shrugged. “If that is your wish.”

“You are an ungrateful child. I’m done with you.” The duke shoved Charlotte and nearly knocked her down as he stormed away.

“I am sorry, darling,” Lord Easton said. “Your father…”

“Is not important,” Charlotte interrupted him. “We knew he would be like this. It’s done.”

“It was still difficult for you to endure.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “I’d rather you didn’t have to go through it at all.”

She shrugged. “Some things in life are more challenging than others. I’m glad now we can move forward.”

Jaclyn gasped and slid farther behind the wall. “Quick. We need to hide better. Mrs. Havenwood is approaching them.”

“We should just leave,” Georgina said. “This is wrong, and you and I both know it.”

“You’re enjoying this,” Jaclyn told her as she fought a smile. “Look at them. They’re so happy.”

Georgina glanced in the direction of Charlotte and Lord Easton.

They were happy. She wanted to be that happy as well.

In that moment she thought about Lord Foxmoore.

Could she be that content with him? She would like to believe she could have that with him.

Life didn’t always work out the way one imagined it would.

Just because she wanted to find happiness didn’t mean she ever would have it in her life.

Though she wanted to at least attempt to have something like what Charlotte seemed to have with Lord Easton.

“It’s your turn to shush,” Georgina said. “She’s here.”

“Lady Charlotte,” Mrs. Havenwood said. “My apologies. I should have said Lady Easton. That will take a bit to become accustomed to. You’ll forgive my slight.”

“Always, Mrs. Havenwood.” She curtsied. “If you will accept mine for worrying you while we eloped. It was never my intention to cause you any anxiety.”

“No need for apologies.” Mrs. Havenwood smiled. “I was aware of your decision. Probably before you were.” She leaned down and whispered something in Charlotte’s ear.

“What do you think she’s saying to her?” Georgina asked.

Jaclyn wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know and it’s distressing me greatly. I will have to ask Charlotte later.” She smiled as she met Georgina’s gaze. “Don’t fret. I will share any gossip I gather with you.”

“You had better,” Georgina said. “Now let’s go before Mrs. Havenwood notices us. Charlotte came back here for a reason. I suspect she will return to our bedchamber. We can discuss everything with her there.”

“Yes,” Jaclyn agreed. “Let’s go.”

They turned away from Charlotte and her new husband and walked back in the direction they had come.

There was much to be grateful for. Now that Charlotte had returned, Georgina could concentrate on her biggest concern.

That concern being a certain earl she could not shake from her thoughts.

She had to see him again and she was willing to do anything to accomplish that goal.