“What do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know yet.” She struggled to think. “What if I were to find another marital prospect for you?”
“Do you believe that’s possible?”
“I need time to figure that out.”
Mr. Cooper studied her. “How much time?”
“A month?”
“I’m afraid I can’t give you that, Miss Russell. Considering it’s already a month and a half since I left New York, I really need to be heading back soon. So the most I can spare is one week.”
“One week? But that’s hardly any time at all.”
“It’s the best I can do.” He looked genuinely contrite. “However, if you are able to make me another offer within that timeframe, I shall consider it with the same degree of attention I give every business deal I’m presented with. You have my word on that.”
“Thank you.” It was all she could think to say.
“But if you fail, you’ll marry me without causing a stir. Agreed?”
Charlotte swallowed. “Agreed.”
He held her gaze. “To be clear, I came here in good faith and with the understanding that your father had explained the situation to you and gained your approval.”
“He did not.”
“No, and I mean to address that with him directly. However, I refuse to chalk this trip up to a wasted effort. I’ve invested valuable time and funds with every intention of using the Society wedding I believed would take place as a means of increasing my notoriety and expanding my business.”
“You wished to make headlines?”
“Of course. The publicity would be tremendous, but more than that, marriage into the British peerage would increase my acceptance among the elite.”
“I would have thought your accumulation of wealth would be enough for that in a country renowned for encouraging hard work and self-made success.”
“Not if I’m to rub shoulders with powerful families like the Astors and the DuPonts.”
Charlotte bit her lip. She’d never heard of these people. Judging from his tone, they were important, so she simply said, “I see your predicament.”
He inclined his head. “If it’s any consolation, I like you a great deal, Miss Russell. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.” He hesitated briefly, then gestured toward the door. “Shall we inform your parents of our agreement?”
“They are without doubt expecting us to announce our engagement.”
“But we won’t. Not yet at least.” When Charlotte didn’t move, he went to the door and opened it. “Ah, Lady Elkins.”
The viscountess appeared so swiftly it was clear she’d been standing nearby, possibly eavesdropping. “My husband awaits you in his study.”
Charlotte bristled. If only she’d been blessed with parents who loved her and respected her for who she was and what she wanted to be.
“When can we start planning the wedding?” Mama asked as soon as Mr. Cooper had left the room.
Charlotte stifled a groan. “We’re not getting married, Mama.”
“What? But you have to.”
Not if Charlotte could help it. “I think I’ll take my luncheon in my bedchamber. There’s much for me to consider.”
“But what about Mr. Cooper?”
“He is the reason I need time to think.”
“Oh. I see.” Her mother’s hesitant tone was testament to her confusion, but she smiled nonetheless. “In that case, come find me when you’re ready.”
Charlotte gave a polite nod before heading upstairs. She moved slowly, desperately hiding the panic that tore its way through her like runaway horses. Once she was safe inside her room, Charlotte carefully shut the door and rang for Daisy. She’d no idea how to solve her predicament yet, but she was certain that whatever she ended up doing, it would require her trustworthy maid’s assistance.
Blayne stared at the neat brick façade of Number Two Berkley Square. When Charlotte hadn’t shown up at the agreed time, he’d decided to find out why. So he’d gone to call on her directly, only to be denied entry by the butler who’d told him never to return again.
Something had obviously happened. But what?
He scratched the back of his head and turned away. No sense in standing about on the pavement. Instead, he made his way back to The Black Swan while wondering what had transpired. Was it possible Charlotte’s parents had figured out what she was up to? Could they have learned he wasn’t who he pretended to be?
Judging from the swift dismissal he’d just received he believed that must be the case. Perhaps Lady Warwick’s comment at the ball had prompted the Russells to investigate him. But he’d taken precautions in the event they did. Guthrie had ensured that if they questioned Lord Meyers, the home secretary, they would receive a vague answer. And if they sought out his place of business, they’d find a neat shop on Bond Street. Of course, if they’d had him followed, they would have learned the truth soon enough. It wouldn’t have been too hard. He’d just hoped his act was convincing enough to prevent them from doing so.
The biggest question of all was where this left Charlotte. Denied the income she’d been relying on from her next book, her options were surely limited. Which meant she might have no choice but to do as her parents insisted and get herself married. And since he was now prevented from seeing her, Mr. Cooper was the only viable option when it came to potential husbands.
Not that Blayne had any intention of heading down the aisle with her himself. He just didn’t want to see her unhappy.
He tensed at the thought of her marrying the American. The very idea of her in another man’s arms made him want to punch holes through walls. He muttered a curse. There was no guarantee things were anywhere near as bad as he feared. His gut said otherwise, but he knew from experience he could not risk making a wrong assumption. For now, he’d send a couple of lads out to investigate matters further so he could get a better picture of the situation at hand. He wanted to know who came and went from that house and at which hour. Most especially, he needed to make sure Charlotte was all right.
11
Careful to keep herself hidden by the creamy silk curtain flanking her window, Charlotte looked out onto the street below. Blayne stood there, frowning at her house as if it were some perplexing problem he wasn’t sure how to solve. She’d heard him arrive and she’d also heard Everet’s dry dismissal of him.
Her heart ached and a terrible knot squeezed her throat. She wanted nothing more than to open the window and call out to him, to offer an explanation so he would know it wasn’t she who’d rejected him. He turned and began walking away, leaving her there, imprisoned in her own home.
After talking to Daisy, Charlotte had made up her mind. She would keep her appointment with Blayne and when she saw him, she’d tell him everything so he’d understand what was happening.
Unfortunately, she’d underestimated the awfulness of her current situation. Because when she’d tried to leave the house, Everet had stopped her.
“I’m sorry, miss,” he’d said, “but your father insists you remain at home today. It is my understanding that he wishes to speak with you.”