Page 6 of Not his Marchioness (Daughters of the Ton #2)

The carriage rolled to a halt in front of the dower house at her sister’s estate outside of London. Charlotte flung open the door and rushed up the steps. Her sister’s home had always been a refuge.

The dower house had seen much. It had been the battleground of Evelyn and Nathaniel’s early squabbles, back when they hardly liked each other and argued with the frequency of adversaries.

Now, it was home to Evelyn’s charitable organization.

That was where Charlotte found her—sitting at a table, surrounded by fresh pamphlets still warm from the press.

Evelyn looked up. “Charlotte!” she gasped, standing to rush into her sister’s arms. “How are you? I’ve been so worried.”

“You look busy,” Charlotte noted, glancing at the papers. “What are those?”

“Pamphlets,” Evelyn replied. “We’re opening a new clinic in Whitechapel.”

“You’re not planning to go there yourself, are you?” Charlotte asked, alarm creeping into her voice.

With Evelyn, such things were never out of the question.

“No,” Evelyn said with a half-smile. “If Nathaniel ever found out, he’d leave me a widow twice over. I’ve hired a team of reliable gentlemen to handle it.”

She reached out and touched her sister’s arm gently, a gesture from their girlhood.

“How are you, Charlotte?” she asked. “I’ve read the scandal sheets. They won’t let up. This is positively beyond the pale.”

“I haven’t looked at a single one today,” Charlotte replied with a weary sigh. “I can’t bear it. Though I may have found a solution.”

“You have?” Evelyn’s eyebrows rose. “Have you come to terms with Father? I sent a letter to Nathaniel via express messenger, but heaven knows how long it will take to reach Portugal. I was hoping you would stay here. I’ll tell the servants not to admit Father, should he come.”

Charlotte lowered her voice. “I’ve been worried about Marianne. Father made some terrible threats. Said he’d marry her off to Lord Emery.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “He did not!” she snapped. “The unmitigated gall of the man! So much for his grand reforms. And the moment Nathaniel’s out of the country, he behaves this way? It’s appalling. We cannot allow it.”

“I doubt he meant it,” Charlotte said quickly. “Aunt Eugenia would never permit it. Besides, Marianne is too young. Even the ton would frown upon it. But still, I worry. With my reputation in tatters, it might hurt her chances.”

“You haven’t agreed to marry Emery, have you?” Evelyn asked, narrowing her eyes. “Has Father attempted to force you into a meeting with Emery so they can convince you?”

“Of course not,” Charlotte replied.

Evelyn exhaled with relief. “Good.”

“But…” Charlotte hesitated. “A gentleman did come to me. He made me an offer of sorts.”

Evelyn blinked. “Who?”

Charlotte allowed herself to be led to a shaded alcove, and they sat on a velvet settee.

“A gentleman who needs a wife. His reputation is nearly as tarnished as mine, and he must present a respectable face to the Lords. He promised me freedom. I could live as I pleased, with no expectations. Not even to give him an heir.”

Evelyn frowned. “That sounds far too convenient. Who is this man? And why—forgive me—would he choose you, given your reputation?”

“He believes we can be seen as a pair of reformed rogues,” Charlotte explained, her voice low. “It makes for a compelling story.”

“You still haven’t told me who he is,” Evelyn pointed out, arching her eyebrows.

Charlotte drew a breath. “Rhys Ellingsworth.”

“Rhys Ellingsworth?” Evelyn repeated, stunned. “As in the Marquess of Ravenscar?”

“The very same,” Charlotte confirmed.

Evelyn leapt from her seat. “You cannot mean it,” she gasped, blinking as if she had been struck by lightning. He’s quite the notorious rake.”

“I am,” Charlotte pointed out.

“And what did you say? Please tell me you didn’t say yes,” Evelyn cried, pacing now.

“I didn’t say yes,” Charlotte said quickly. “I didn’t say no either. I told him I needed time.”

Evelyn threw her arms up in the air. “You refused to marry Emery—a known rake—and now you’re considering marriage to someone with a similar reputation?”

“I’ve thought it through, Evelyn,” Charlotte stated firmly. “He’s not as bad as Emery. You know the rumors about Emery.”

“Of course I do,” Evelyn scoffed. “Which is why Nathaniel would never allow it.”

“But Nathaniel isn’t here,” Charlotte reminded her. “And my reputation is ruined, Evelyn. Rhys’s reputation is in shambles as well. It would make more sense if we got married.”

“You mean to go through with it,” Evelyn said slowly, her voice dropping.

“I do,” Charlotte affirmed. “He isn’t what I initially thought. His arguments were reasonable. And if I can have freedom—if I can be myself—then why not? He’s wealthy, well-connected, and needs a wife to smooth over his… his debauchery.”

“Debauchery,” Evelyn echoed. “Which will likely continue after the wedding.”

“I imagine so,” Charlotte said. “But he promised to be discreet.”

Evelyn sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Goodness gracious, Charlotte. He seeks to refurbish his reputation on your back.” She paced back and forth. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to steer you wrong, but I don’t want you to make a mistake either. If you do this, you may never know love.”

“I might,” Charlotte said softly. “Some arrangements work.”

“Arrangements?” Evelyn repeated, her voice high-pitched with disbelief. “You picture yourself… hiding in the hay with a stable boy?”

“Oh, stop being vulgar,” Charlotte scoffed, her cheeks reddening.

“I’m not trying to be vulgar,” Evelyn protested. “I’m trying to make you understand. If this is how you truly want to live, then I will stand by you. But you’ve always been…” She hesitated. “A little na?ve.”

“I know that,” Charlotte said firmly. “But I’ve changed, Evelyn. These past months have changed me. I see Father for who he truly is. I see your strength. I know I’ve been foolish. That’s why I didn’t say yes or no. I need time to think.”

Evelyn reached for her sister’s hand and patted it. “Then take it. When Bertram died, I was determined to build a life for myself, even alone. I’m glad it didn’t come to that. I’m happily married now. I wouldn’t want you to go into this with regret.”

“If I don’t marry him,” Charlotte said, “I may regret it just as much. It’s a trap. A conundrum. I am at point non plus.”

“Then don’t make a hasty decision,” Evelyn advised. “Sleep on it. Wait for Nathaniel. Or better yet, come with me. We’ll go to Scotland, to my mother-in-law’s estate. Father won’t follow you there.”

Charlotte looked up, her eyes wide. “Do you mean it? For the truth is, I have half a mind to bolt. I have made such a muddle of it.”

“I do mean it,” Evelyn said with a nod. “You’re my sister. You are dear to me, no matter the tattle. Do you wish to go? I’ll write ahead and let her know we’re coming.”

Charlotte nodded slowly. “Yes, let’s go. I’ll write to the Marquess and tell him I need more time. That I’m leaving town. If, when I return, Nathaniel is home and the matter still can’t be resolved, then I will marry him.”

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. “You think he’ll wait that long?”

“I think so,” Charlotte replied. “He’s… rather desperate.”

Evelyn exhaled. “Desperate men often resort to desperate measures.”

“Such as?” Charlotte asked warily.

Evelyn shrugged. “I don’t know. But tell him clearly that you need time and distance to make your decision. Go back home, tell Aunt Eugenia, pack a small portmanteau, let Marianne know. And in the morning, we’ll set off for Scotland.”

“I should like to be the mistress of my own fate, for once.” Charlotte let out a long breath.

It felt as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. This was the solution, plain and simple. It had been there all along, hidden by the fog in her mind.

They would leave the country. They would hide away. Her father couldn’t reach her in Scotland. And when they returned, perhaps things would be clear. Perhaps she could be free again.

All she had to do was say goodbye.