Page 68 of Rogue of My Heart

“It wasn’t a very large gathering, though, was it?” Meg asked. “Why would he bother with it?”

“Perhaps he was merely in the neighborhood,” Amelia suggested.

“I think it was the guest list,” Charlotte said. “I’m actually not certain how Edmond managed to secure an invitation, now that I think about it. It was a rather elite crowd. And not to imply that my husband isn’t deserving of such company, but there were two dukes in attendance, and three times as many earls. The jewels were plentiful.”

Willow pointed at Charlotte’s hand. “You managed to keep your wedding ring. Did you not wear it last night?”

Charlotte couldn’t help but smile. “No, I wore it, but Edmond took it from me and hid it so quickly, I didn’t even see where he put it. And I was sitting right next to him. He also refused to place anything in Jack’s bag.”

“That was rather brave of him,” Amelia said.

“Edmond has always been stubborn,” Willow pointed out. “I do believe that characteristic runs in our family.”

Stubborn. Charlotte hadn’t ever realized that about Edmond. But there was much she did not know about him. In fact, she barely knew him at all. They were acquaintances and nothing more. Perhaps now that he’d suggested they work together on the investigation, she would uncover more about the man she was married to.

“There is more,” Charlotte said, willing herself to focus on the task at hand. “Jack seemed agitated, unlike his usual charming self.”

“What do you make of that?” Meg asked.

“I’m not certain. Perhaps he had simply had a few drinks,” Charlotte suggested.

“Was anything else different, other than his behavior?” Willow asked.

Charlotte thought back, then shook her head. “I don’t believe so. He was dressed the same as every time I’ve seen him. He had the pistol with him, although he seemed, how shall I put this? More aggressive with it. More inclined to use it, perhaps.”

“Were you frightened?” Amelia asked.

“No.” And she hadn’t been. Edmond had clasped her hand and she’d felt safe, protected.

“Imbibing can certainly cause a man to become more violent,” Willow said. “James has new examples of this weekly, with his cases.”

“His voice might have sounded somewhat different too. But it’s hard to tell. My most recent encounters with him we’d been alone, and he’d spoken softly.” His voice had been lower, more intimate on those two other nights. At the poetry reading he’d nearly seemed excitable.

“Suppose he heard about your compromise,” Amelia said, directing her attention to Charlotte. “Could that not cause him to be angry? Perhaps more erratic than normal?”

Meg nodded. “He could be angry now because Charlotte has married someone else.”

“Well, that certainly sounds romantic,” Charlotte said. “But I hardly think this is a case of jealousy. His gaze did not land on mine even once the other night.”

“He could instead be angry that he’d almost been caught. That his secret had nearly been compromised along with your reputation,” Amelia said.

Charlotte signed. “Perhaps there were no differences. Perhaps it was I who was agitated and I blamed it on Jack.”

Willow tilted her head. “Don’t discount your instincts so quickly. You’ve had more interaction with him and you could be absolutely correct.”

“It would make sense, though, for her to be angry with him,” Amelia said.

“Most definitely,” Meg agreed. “He callously compromised her. The cad.”

Charlotte waved her hand about. “None of that matters now. My reputation was spared and it seems no permanent damage was done. Frannie is still being courted by Lord Blaine and?—”

She had been about to add that she was safely married to a doting husband. But that was an outright lie, and she wasn’t even certain why the thought had entered her mind. Perhaps wishful thinking.

When had she started to long for Edmond to love her? If in fact that’s what she was feeling. Perhaps it was merely recognizing the differences between her union and that of her friends.

She cleared her throat and began again. “I am safely married to a generous man,” she finally said. “Who, by the way, has offered to assist me with my investigation.”

“Edmond is doing the noble thing,” Amelia said. “He’s protecting you.”