A Kiss with Scandal (Scandals & Secrets 4)(12)

Charlotte murmured her agreement.

"First with Viscount Lawrence and then the fire, I was worried you might not sleep."                       
       
           



       

At her mention of Derek, Charlotte's brows drew together. "I managed,"  she said, but glanced around the room. Where had he gone? Had he  actually stayed all night like he'd said?

Her eyes widened when something, or someone, bumped her mattress from  beneath. "Ahh. How did you sleep, Mama?" she blurted out, hoping to  cover any noise.

"Terribly. The smoke affected your father's breathing." At Charlotte's  concerned look, her mother waved her hand. "It was nothing to worry  over. He is fully recovered."

Charlotte's shoulders sagged in relief.

Her mother sat on the edge of her bed. "I wanted to talk to you this morning about Viscount Lawrence."

Charlotte stilled. "Oh?" Oh no was more like it. Any conversation her  mother wanted to have about Derek was a bad idea when that same person  hid under her bed. "What is there to talk about?"

"Well, plenty. I had no idea he'd taken a fancy to you."

Her skin flushed. "Well, I wasn't sure if he had. I didn't want to say anything until I was certain."

"I would say this is certain. Two dances? I thought the room would expire."

Charlotte only wished she could have enjoyed it more.

"He must intend to propose immediately if he threw this house party together in such short time. Things are serious, indeed."

Charlotte took her mother's hand. "Mama, I don't want you to get too  worked up over this. Nothing may come of the viscount and me. To be  honest, I don't know if my feelings are completely there."

Her mother snorted. "Charlotte, I still remember you declaring at your  come out that the only man you cared to dance with was him. I swear you  were half in love with him before you entered society."

Charlotte's eyes shuddered. Was it possible Derek had temporarily gone deaf? "I don't remember any such thing."

Her mother chuckled. "Well, I do, dear. It lasted much longer than that  night, and after seeing the two of you together last night, I have a  feeling it never quite went away."

Sugar lumps. Why, in the singular conversation Derek overhears, did her mother have to mention her girlhood infatuation?

"It'll be all right, dear. You don't have to make any decisions while  we're there. But I just wanted you to know your father and I approve of  the match, if it's what you wish." She kissed Charlotte's cheek. "We'll  depart in a couple hours after our trunks are loaded."

"I'll be ready."

Her mother left the room with Rosie, closing the door to silence.

Charlotte didn't dare speak. She couldn't. What was there to say?

Derek shuffled under the bed, emerging head first from the dusty depths.  He brushed his coat off, but didn't meet her eye. It was considerate of  him, but it didn't lessen her humiliation.

She moaned. "Please tell me you weren't listening to that."

"Would it make you feel better if I told you I wasn't?"

"Only if it were the truth."

When his gaze slowly met hers, her breath stilled. Something heated in the depths of his eyes sparked warmth within her.

He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it, shaking his head.  "I don't want to lie to you. There's been too many lies in my life. I  can't do it anymore. Not to you."

He seemed torn. Torn with how he should handle the situation. Was he as embarrassed as she? Or was it something else?

"Look," she said, "we don't have to discuss this, all right? We'll  pretend my mother didn't come in here and say any of that. You're doing  your job. That's why you're here. It doesn't have to be anything more."

She held her breath, awaiting his answer. The air was thick, and whatever was said in this moment would set the tone between.

He raked a hand through his hair as he paced the room. "Charlotte, it's not that. Things are complicated."

She held up her hand. "You needn't explain. As I've already said, I know  what this is. There's no need for more." She smoothed the blanket,  proud of her control when she felt tied up inside. "Now, how will we get  you out of here?"

"Let me worry about that. You focus on packing what you need. I don't  know how long we'll have to stay there, but I'm hoping we'll capture  them soon. My men will continue to watch the house and inform me once  you leave for my estate. I will follow you and conveniently run into you  at the first posting inn, suggesting I join your party."

"You've thought of it all."                       
       
           



       

"'Tis my duty."

Of course it was. He was honorable, strong, and capable. Those qualities had always drawn her to him. Probably always would.

After his hesitancy just now, she'd be a fool to dream there might be more between them.

And she hated being a fool.





Chapter 9





Returning to his estate failed to produce the joyous sensations others  experienced when retiring to their countryseat. Full of painful  memories, Derek was just starting to tolerate coming back.

The trip had been uneventful. With Charlotte tucked into one of the  guest suites, he was assured his staff, trained for much more than  household duties, would keep her well protected. And if that failed, any  person who entered her rooms would be greeted by a high-pitched  barking, white fluff ball. He still wasn't convinced the creature was a  dog, but he had no desire to get close enough to the animal to find out  for certain.

The animal had been sleeping in another room last night. Thankfully. The pup could have caused significant problems.

Henry entered the imposing study, and Derek nodded in greeting. His  father had ruled the house with an iron fist, and this had been his  throne room. The dark paneling and towering brick fireplace were meant  to intimidate. Derek hated the space and the memories it held as much as  he despised his father. "I'm sorry for the wait."

"It's no trouble." The man shifted comfortably in the oversize leather chair.

Some in his household disapproved of Henry when they learned of his past  life in crime, but Derek hadn't cared. Henry had saved his life on more  than one occasion, and when the man said he wanted to straighten out,  Derek gave him the chance he needed to live an honest life.

Henry wasn't opposed to doing anything Derek needed done.

Derek seated himself behind the massive cherry wood desk, ready for  Henry's report. "All protective measures are in place, I presume?"

"Guards are stationed at all check points, and the staff has been  notified. The alert system has been tested and is functioning properly.  Escape routes have been double checked, and safe houses have been  stocked should the need arise."

"Excellent."

"Is there anything else, m'lord?"

"That should do it for now. As more guests arrive, I want it to look  like a normal house party. Tell the guards to keep their distance unless  they're undercover."

"All right." Henry tapped his knees before standing. "I'll go over the plan with everyone one more time before others arrive."

Derek grabbed the letter opener and tore through the first of many  envelopes piled on his desk. "Let me know if you need anything."

"There is something, actually."

Derek set down the letter. When Henry spoke in that tone, Derek gave his full attention. "Yes?"

"Is this really the last one?"

He didn't need to say the last case. Derek had talked about ending his  career several times in the past and couldn't blame Henry for his  disbelief. "Yes. It is. After this, I'm out. For good."

"And me?"

"You are free to go or stay as you please. As you have always been. With my thanks."

Henry's shoulders relaxed as he grinned. "You're going to go crazy without it."

Derek laughed as his friend walked out the door. In all likelihood,  Henry was right. Yet maybe, just maybe, he'd explore a few of the  elements of normal life he'd forsaken. Family, perhaps.

Henry had spoken an absolute truth. Thoughts of Lady Charlotte would drive him crazy.

But crazy was immeasurably better than dead.



* * *



The prettiest room in the world could still be a prison.

Charlotte had learned this lesson well in the last twenty-four hours as  she hid in the safety of her bedchamber. It had been one day since she'd  arrived at Derek's estate, and already she was going batty. Not that  she didn't enjoy the country. She did. Usually. She just didn't fancy  hiding while two criminals hunted her down. That alone had kept her in  her room.

She paced the length of the light blue runner beneath her shoes,  ignoring the white and gold opulence of her room as firmly as she did  the sunny weather. What would happen if the Black Dahlia was never  caught? Must Charlotte go on like this? Locked away at one of Derek's  estates until she died? Always afraid? Hiding to escape notice?