Page 26 of Not his Marchioness (Daughters of the Ton #2)

The following day, they stopped outside Harcourt House, and Margot immediately climbed into the carriage. Charlotte was much relieved, for up until then, conversation with Rhys had been stilted, to say the least.

It was as she had feared—he was once again withdrawing. Not entirely, not as he had done before, but sufficiently to let her know that something was troubling him.

He had informed her that he had compiled a list of properties to view, something she found quite remarkable, given she had only mentioned her desire to view properties the day before. However, he had not yet shared them with her.

“Good morning, Lord Ravenscar, Lady Ravenscar,” Margot greeted, settling in her seat. She smiled broadly at them both, but then, sensing the strained atmosphere, she regarded them thoughtfully. “Am I correct to assume that you are both suffering the effects of last evening’s festivities?”

“I did not sleep well,” Charlotte confessed.

Though it had nothing to do with the previous evening’s exploits. Rather, she had been thinking of Rhys most of the night and wondering why he was conducting himself in such a manner.

“I see,” Margot murmured. “Well, I dare say the excitement of the day will lift your spirits considerably. Where are we going first?”

“There is a building that I spotted a few weeks ago, situated right on the edge of Islington. It seems simple enough to acquire, though I have never been inside, and Gideon informed me that it needed considerable repair.”

Gideon. So it was his friend, Gideon Marsh, who had assisted him in compiling this list.

Charlotte had not spent much time in Gideon’s company, but from what little she had observed, she had determined that he was as dissolute as Rhys had been and likely not a good influence.

However, if he could assist them in finding a suitable location for her school, then she would reserve judgment on his character.

They stopped before the property ten minutes hence. Rhys handed her out after Margot. However, rather than accompanying them, he strode ahead, pushing open the door and entering with purpose.

“Heavens!” Margot exclaimed as they entered.

She released Charlotte’s arm and retrieved a handkerchief from her reticule, pressing it to her nose before offering another to Charlotte.

The stench of mold pervaded the entire building. The space was dim and vacant, the floorboards creaked with every step they took, and the walls were covered in a most peculiar growth.

Before they could venture further, Rhys walked deeper into the building and then turned. Before the two ladies could follow, he returned, his arms spread wide as though urging them to turn around.

“We are leaving,” he declared.

“Leaving?” Charlotte squeaked. “But we have not even examined the place properly. Perhaps if we could open the windows—”

“Charlotte,” Margot interjected, “I sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm, but surely this building is one strong gale away from being blown down.”

“I have more faith in the building’s structure than does your cousin,” Rhys said, “but I must agree with her assessment. This is not the proper location. There is a considerable number of dead vermin and such in the adjoining room. I would not task any of my servants with cleaning such a space.”

Much disheartened, Charlotte climbed back into the carriage.

“Pray, how many more properties are there, My Lord?” Margot inquired.

“Two more,” Rhys replied. “One building three streets down, and another in Canterbury. I am confident that one of them will prove better suited to our purposes.”

“I had not known that you possessed expertise in real estate, My Lord,” Margot teased.

“I do not. My friend Gideon does. He provided me with this list yesterday. He is always scouting new locations for his ventures. He lets his properties.”

“How very industrious of him,” Margot said with a nod of approval.

“Indeed,” Rhys agreed. “In fact, I have invested in his industrious endeavor.”

“Well, that is most clever of you,” Margot observed. “I must say, the two of you make quite a formidable pair. Both exceedingly industrious—you with your various enterprises, and Charlotte with her school. I confess you work remarkably well together.”

Charlotte shot her cousin a look. She did not need Margot to point out how well she and Rhys collaborated.

It was true—when they applied themselves to a common purpose, they did indeed work wonderfully. The afternoon when he played the devoted husband before Lady Woodhaven and her friends, when they worked in concert on her school venture, and when they had so thoroughly charmed the Duke of Windsor.

They were, in many respects, a perfect match. However, she would never admit it to him, nor would he to her, if he had even entertained such thoughts.

They drew to a halt before the next building, a three-story house on a decent street.

“Were the previous owners in financial difficulties?” Charlotte inquired.

“What leads you to that conclusion?”

“Well, there are numerous bricked windows, more than is customary,” she remarked. “Most gentlemen would endeavor to avoid the window tax if possible, but this dwelling permits only two windows to remain open onto the street, which seems rather extreme.”

“You are remarkably well-informed,” Rhys acknowledged. “Indeed, the owner suffered considerable financial losses due to a mining venture gone awry. That is precisely why it may be bought at a reasonable price.”

Upon entry, the building appeared in much better condition than the first property. Rhys lit two wall sconces in the hall to allow them proper light. There were cobwebs in every corner, and a musty scent permeated the air, but nothing close to the wretchedness of the previous location.

“My word, this might prove quite perfect,” Margot declared. “You could set up different classrooms for children of varying ages.”

“We could even persuade teachers to reside on the premises,” Charlotte added as she made her way up the stairs.

There were three bedchambers on the second floor, along with what appeared to have been converted into a washroom, complete with a bathing apparatus.

“I had not known that such modern conveniences were making their way into these neighborhoods,” Margot remarked, examining the installation.

“They are not, generally speaking. It is one of the reasons the current owner finds himself in such dire straits. He invested rather too heavily in modern conveniences. However, it could serve your purposes well.”

The uppermost floor contained another spacious room and a second washroom. Charlotte was uncertain what use they might make of this chamber—perhaps quarters for a headmistress—but the building would certainly suffice.

“It is quite grand,” she observed. “What is the price of the building?”

He gave a figure that was more than reasonable, and she nodded thoughtfully.

“Might we examine the garden?”

“Certainly,” he replied.

He had maintained a most professional and courteous demeanor throughout the inspection of the properties, conducting himself rather like a land agent displaying his wares.

She followed him outside and stopped abruptly.

“Good heavens!” she exclaimed.

“It is a veritable wilderness out here.”

The garden was entirely overgrown. If a path had ever existed, it could not be discerned. Grass reached her knees, the flowers long dead from the winter cold. A large bare tree stood at the center, and the remnants of a bird-feeding apparatus lay on the ground beside it.

“Indeed, it is a jungle,” Margot agreed. “If you will excuse me, I’m going back to the carriage. I cannot trek through this wilderness in my kitten heels.”

She departed, leaving them alone.

Charlotte moved forward, the grass tickling her calves as it found its way beneath the hem of her skirts.

“I do not believe that is wise,” Rhys cautioned. “The garden needs to be cleared first before it is safe to examine.”

“I shall not venture far. I merely want to determine whether there is a path leading anywhere of consequence. Moreover, I believe there was a swing over yonder.”

She continued onward, paying no heed to his protestations.

“Pray, how large are the grounds?” she called, having inspected the swing.

“There should be a fence marking the boundary,” he called back, remaining on the steps.

She turned left, making her way through the thick grass, when suddenly her left foot gave way and plunged into what she had mistaken for solid ground.

Not merely damp earth, but a pond. She cried out in alarm as icy water splashed up all about her.

The temperature was already bitter, and the water was near freezing.

The cold seized her foot, and the droplets that had struck her exposed skin felt like shards of ice.

She could feel the chill even through her gloves.

She turned, attempting to extract herself, but her foot kept slipping.

“Charlotte!” Rhys raced toward her.

Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, he had wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her out of the water, his muscles tensing beneath her hands as he carried her to safety.

“Are you well?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied breathlessly. “I’m merely startled, that is all. I… I had no idea there was a pond there. I should have listened to your counsel.”

The alarm on his countenance was replaced by a smile. “Are you acknowledging that I was correct about something for once?”

“Please do not make this into some momentous occasion. I thought I might drown if I’d slipped in further.”

“But you did not. Indeed, you are scarcely even wet. I have a travel rug in the carriage. I shall wrap you up and take you home directly.”

Her heart thundered as his arm lingered around her waist. She was pressed against him, and despite her better judgment, she savored the warmth emanating from him.

“You need a hot bath and broth and an afternoon spent abed. Then, you will be right as rain.”

“But you mentioned there was one more property,” she protested, unwilling to appear weak.