A Brooding Christmas Promise (Christmas Matches of Worth #2)

Chapter Seventeen

“I shall take this one, I think.” Charlotte smiled as she picked up the velvet mask with the feathers at either side. “It looks quite beautiful.”

“Though it is rather simple.” Amelia wrinkled her nose. “Do you not wish for something more ornate? The shop is full of beautiful ornate masks.”

Charlotte shook her head. The mask was elegant, without any additional fripperies to it and she much preferred that to the overabundance of feathers, paste jewels and the like. “I am contented with this.”

Amelia smiled and touched her hand. “You were always easily contented, Charlotte. I must say, your willingness to give up so much speaks of your beautiful character.” Her voice softened with an obvious swell of emotion. “I do hope that you have the chance for happiness, Charlotte. It is something that you deserve.”

A swirl knotted itself in Charlotte’s stomach as she took in her sister’s meaning. “You are speaking of Lord Crestwood,” she murmured, making sure to keep her voice low. “Amelia, please do not think that there is going to be any serious connection between us. There cannot be. He has already determined that he will remain unwed. That is the very basis upon which we agreed about this falsehood.”

Her sister’s smile did not fade. “Ah, but have you not seen how he has been watching you of late? How his gaze lingers upon you? And besides all of that, he has shown you such great consideration and care that, to my mind, there is something more there than mere friendship.”

“I do not think it matters whether there truly is that consideration or not,” Charlotte answered, quickly, refusing to let her hopes rise as she brought to mind the look that Lord Crestwood had worn after their dance together at the ball, the night when he had stolen a kiss from her under the mistletoe bough. “He has made himself perfectly clear.”

“But things can change. Affection can alter a gentleman’s intentions.”

Charlotte closed her eyes, fighting inwardly to keep her hopes back. “Please, Amelia,” she rasped, “do not let my heart begin to pray for something that might never be.”

Her sister caught her hand again, squeezing it fiercely. “Do you mean to say that you have an affection for Lord Crestwood?”

Opening her eyes, Charlotte blinked back her tears which had come upon her very rapidly indeed. “I dare not even let myself hope for such a thing,” she answered, hoarsely. “But it is there, nonetheless. It is as though, ever since I heard that there might be something questionable about our father’s will, my heart has determined to pull towards him with a strength that I never expected.”

“That is because you have permitted it to be free.” Amelia’s eyes searched hers. “You have had it bound up for many a month, have you not? You have told yourself over and over and over again that what you might once have hoped for can never be and, therefore, you have pulled back from even the thought of it! But now, there is hope and, in seeing that, your heart has filled with all of the affection and the desires and the delight that it has held back for so long.” She pressed Charlotte’s hand again. “Lord Crestwood is an excellent gentleman.”

“I dare not hope,” Charlotte whispered, pulling out her handkerchief to dab at her eyes. “Not yet, at least.”

Amelia nodded in understanding. “We will find out the truth about the will, I am sure. I think that – ”

She turned her head as the door to the shop opened, only to then turn on her heel and begin to drag Charlotte to the other side of the shop. Charlotte went without question, glancing back over her shoulder, wondering as to what it was that had affected her sister so… only for her gaze to land upon Lady Barcsay. With a gasp, she turned her head back again, just as Amelia pulled her into the back of the shop, where fittings often took place.

“Whatever is she doing here?” Charlotte whispered, as she and Amelia stared at each other, shock written across her sister’s face. “Our brother did not write to inform us of her arrival! Where will she be staying?”

“At our brother’s London townhouse, mayhap?” Amelia moved closer to the edge of the door and looked out, only for her brow to furrow. “No, of course. She is residing with her sister, Lady Foster. She is there with her, you see?”

Charlotte shook her head, refusing to come and look. Her mind began to turn over what this might mean, her eyebrows pulling low. “Our stepmother will have heard about my betrothal to Lord Crestwood, though she should also have heard that there is nothing genuine about it, given that I wrote to her. Why, then, should she come to London?”

Amelia turned back to face her, biting the edge of her lip, her eyes cast downwards. “Charlotte, there is something that I should tell you.”

Charlotte looked back at her.

“I – I did not send your letter to our stepmother,” Amelia continued, her face beginning to flush. “I promised you that I would send it and indeed, I had every intention of posting it but only once I was certain that you were going to bring the connection to a close, as you had said. I did, however, send the letter to our brother though I enclosed my own additional note also, begging him not to inform her about your pretence.”

Shock spread out like ice across Charlotte’s chest and for some moments, she could not speak. Her chest grew tight, her throat constricting as Amelia closed her eyes, shame burning into her features. “Lady Barcsay does not know that this is a falsehood, then?” Charlotte whispered, as her sister nodded. “She does not know that there is nothing genuine about my engagement? She thinks that I truly intend to marry Lord Crestwood?”

“Yes.” Amelia took in a deep breath but then looked back at Charlotte steadily, no regret in her expression or her voice. “I did it because I wanted you to see that there was still hope for happiness for you. I did not know what would happen, of course, but given that we have now found out that there are questions about the will, I am glad that I did not send it… though I do regret betraying your trust, of course.” Her gaze dropped low again. “Forgive me for that. I did it because I care for you, that is all. I want you to be free of our stepmother and instead, find a life of your own!”

Charlotte did not know how to respond. The shock was so great, it was as though it had wiped away almost all of her emotions, numbing her to what she truly felt. She let out a slow breath and then closed her eyes, trying to think clearly but still struggling to do anything of the sort.

“You must forgive me,” Amelia said again, coming forward to grasp Charlotte’s hand. “I only wanted you to be happy and I believe that you can find that happiness with Lord Crestwood – I believe that now more than ever! I – ”

“Then she is here because she believes I am engaged.” Charlotte opened her eyes and interrupted her sister, seeing Amelia’s wide eyes and the tears swimming there. “Lady Barcsay has travelled to London because of my engagement, because she wants to put an end to it, I presume.”

Her sister nodded. “And mayhap because she has learned about what her sister said to you and to Lord Crestwood.” She let out a small huff of breath. “Would that our brother was here! He might be able to explain what has been occurring at the house and – ”

“Mayhap he has written to us.” Urgency pushed through Charlotte’s frame. “We must return home.”

“But the masks!” Amelia exclaimed, gesturing to the shop. “And we cannot leave when they are still present.”

Charlotte moved to look out to the shop, seeing Lady Foster and Lady Barcsay talking together. They were both holding a mask in their hand, though that in itself made Charlotte frown. It was not as though they had been invited to the masquerade, so why would they be seeking to purchase such a thing? As she watched, they made their way to the counter and within a few minutes, had not only purchased the masks but had stepped back outside, allowing Charlotte and Amelia to find their freedom.

“If our brother has not written to us, then I intend to go to our father’s solicitors directly,” Charlotte stated, a fresh determination rushing through her as Amelia’s eyes flared in surprise again. “I am tired of hearing what might be and what could be, without having any certainty on the matter! If Lord Hesterway will deign to attend with me, then – ”

“Of course he shall, as shall I,” Amelia said quickly, as Charlotte made her way across the shop to pick up the mask, bringing it to the counter to pay for it. “But let us hope that our brother has written. Mayhap he will be able to give us some insight into why Lady Barcsay has made her way here.”

Amelia caught her arm, bringing Charlotte to a pause. “I am sorry, Charlotte. I know that you expected me to send your letter and I did not.”

Charlotte nodded, not smiling but not angry either. “I understand why you did it. Truth be told, things have altered for me so significantly, I must confess to being a little relieved that she does not know of it all.”

“Then you forgive me?”

Without hesitation, Charlotte nodded. “I do, of course. Now, let us return home as quickly as possible. I want to see if there is any insight from our brother – and thereafter, what our solicitors themselves might have to say.”

***

Charlotte straightened herself up as she walked into the solicitors office. There had been no letter from her brother, no explanation for what might have taken place at the estate which had sent her stepmother to London and thus, Charlotte had determined to make her way to the solicitors to ask some questions about her father’s will. Whether it had been the arrival of Lady Barcsay or the admission to her sister that she had an affection for Lord Crestwood, Charlotte did not know but whatever it was, it was forcing her into action.

“I am not certain that they will tell you anything, I am afraid,” Lord Hesterway murmured, as they waited to be admitted. “But let us hope that they shall say something at least!”

“Indeed,” Amelia murmured, coming to stand beside Charlotte. “With the three of us present, there will be a good deal of influence, at least!”

Charlotte said nothing, her stomach twisting with nerves as the door opened and a man bowed first of all before standing back to permit them all to enter. She lifted her chin and walked in directly, sitting down in one of the chairs which were in front of the solicitor’s desk. “Mr Greer, I presume?”

“Yes, it is.” The man made his way around to the other side of his desk, his head bobbing forward a little as though he was not quite certain whether or not he ought to bow or not. “Lord and Lady Hesterway, Miss Millerton – please, do tell me what it is that I can do for you.”

Charlotte glanced at her sister and then spoke, silently praying that there would come an easy answer from the man. “My sister and I have come to speak with you about our late father’s will.”

“Lord Barcsay, yes.” The man’s small eyes glinted. “Your brother, however, has taken on the title, yes?”

“Yes, but he could not be present.” Charlotte kept her voice steady as she looked back at him. “I understand that the will was, unfortunately, lost. Is that not so?”

The solicitor blinked.

Silence flooded the room.

Charlotte’s breath hitched, her heart slamming hard against her chest.

“It was not lost?” she asked, after a few more seconds had past. “I was told that – ”

“The mail coach where the will was being transported was unfortunately held up, yes,” the solicitor said, slowly, “though the will itself was recovered, albeit with some damage.”

Her chest grew so tight, it was painful. Charlotte’s hands curled into fists, her fingers digging into the soft skin of her palms as dizziness broke over her. If this was not as she had believed, then what did it all mean?

“Can I confirm that you are stating that the will was recovered?” Amelia’s voice was thin, clearly just as astonished as Charlotte felt. “We did not… that is to say, we were unaware.”

The solicitor frowned. “I am dreadfully sorry. I am certain that correspondence was sent to the new Lord Barcsay informing him of it. We had to take great care over the will, in attempting to make certain it was restored as best it could be. Thankfully, after some time, all that was written there remained quite clear.”

“Then… then you have it all?” Charlotte asked, her heart still beating painfully. “Including the addendum?”

The solicitor frowned, rubbing one hand over his chin.

Charlotte closed her eyes, blood roaring in her ears. She already knew what the answer was going to be.

“I do not recall there being such a thing, I confess,” the solicitor said, slowly, “though it has been some time. If you wish – and I will need the permission of Lord Barcsay also, of course – I will look through the will again and make certain that what I have said is the truth. Though, and I say this with the awareness that I might well be wrong, I do not know if I have ever seen such a thing. We spent a lot of time making certain it was restored and I do not recall ever seeing such a thing.”

Silence flooded the room and Charlotte, her eyes still closed, bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying out. What was it that her stepmother had done? What purpose had there been in attempting to keep Charlotte to herself and to her own company if that was what had occurred?

“You say that you do not recall seeing it? Could it be that it itself was lost?”

The solicitor shook his head. “There was more than just the will being returned to us, Lady Hesterway. We retrieved every item and I would be very surprised, I confess, if this addendum had gone missing, though everything else remained.”

“I see.” Amelia reached across to take Charlotte’s hand. “Charlotte, are you –”

“I shall write to our brother at once to engage his consent.” Charlotte pressed Amelia’s hand and then rose to her feet. “Thank you for your time, sir. What you have told us is invaluable.”

With a look to her sister, Charlotte made to step away, hurrying out of the solicitors and onto the street. The cold winter wind was a welcome relief, bringing a sharpness with it which brought Charlotte back to herself a little. Her mind, which had been filled with confusion, suddenly came to a clear understanding and, even though Amelia hurried out after her, taking her hand and leading her to the carriage, Charlotte did not need her sister’s support.

“It is all very clear to me now,” she said, as the carriage made for home, the sleet beginning to whip around the carriage itself. “I confess, the shock of it was so great, I did not know what to make of it all but now… well, now I see that there is something here that must be discovered. Something which will determine the course I now take.”

Amelia held her gaze, her own face a little white. “I am astonished at how clearly you are speaking, Charlotte.” She offered a small, slightly watery smile. “But then again, I suppose that you have always been determined. Once you have set your mind to something, you follow it.”

Charlotte nodded, though she clasped her hands together tightly in her lap, aware of the tension which still wound itself through her. “Do not misunderstand me, Amelia, I am utterly horrified to hear that this addendum, this part of the will which I believed was from father directly, might not be as I have believed for so long but I am also not going to simply cry over it. Rather, I want to find the truth in its entirety so I might know the path which my life must now follow.”

Her sister nodded, as Lord Hesterway frowned, looking deeply frustrated.

“Would that I could have commanded him to do as I know you both – and your brother – desire to do also,” he said, a little heavily. “I would have done so had I the ability.”

Charlotte smiled briefly. “I am grateful for that. It is frustrating but it must be done. That being said, however, I am going to speak with our stepmother this evening, should she appear, and if not, then I will call upon her tomorrow.”

“For what purpose?” Amelia asked, her eyes a little wider. “Do you mean to confront her?”

The determination which had driven her to the solicitors in the very beginning grew all the more forcefully and Charlotte nodded. “In a way, yes. I know that we need our brother’s permission to see the will but I do not have to inform her of that. All I can say to her is what we believe to be true, in the hope that she might speak the truth regardless.”

“You believe that she will be at the ball this evening, even though she has no invitation?”

Charlotte shared a glance with her sister before nodding. “Yes, I do. I saw her looking at masks earlier and given that it is a masquerade, I presume it might be a little easier to sneak into the ball than it would otherwise have been.”

“I will be there when you speak with her, if you please,” Lord Hesterway said, gently, speaking with no authority nor demanding in his voice, leaving the choice to her. “I want very much to be present, to make certain you are kept safe… that is, unless there is someone else stepping in beside you?”

The lift of his eyebrow told Charlotte precisely whom he was thinking of and she merely lifted her shoulders in response, not certain whether or not Lord Crestwood would be willing to do such a thing. After his reaction to their stolen kiss, she could not say for certain.

“If he is present and willing, then I shall ask him,” she conceded, quickly. “Though my first task is to write to my brother. That is of the greatest importance.”

“You can do so the moment you step in,” Amelia promised her. “Here we are now. I shall order tea and bring you some.” Leaning forward, she gazed into Charlotte’s eyes, concern written into every part of her expression. “You are quite all right, truly?”

Charlotte nodded, a sense of relief washing over her as she smiled. “Indeed. There is a relief in knowing that I might well be free of the burden I have carried for so long, though with that comes the desire to know the truth.” Her smile faded as she sighed. “And once I discover it, that will change everything – for better or for worse.”