Warmth spread through Charlotte’s veins on account of the welcome she was receiving. Foregoing titles in favor of given names lent an intimate closeness she’d never experienced with her own family. It undid her in a way, filling her with endless amounts of gratitude for these people who’d gone to remarkable lengths for her when her own parents hadn’t been willing to act.
“Thank you,” she said. “For everything. Your hospitality and generosity are without compare.”
Much to Charlotte’s relief, Guthrie seemed to appreciate the compliment. He was a strange sort of man – the kind she could never quite read. His gaze often scrutinized while his expression refused to give away even the tiniest hint of what he was thinking. It put her slightly on edge, so she was glad Blayne was there to help ease her nerves.
“Tell me, Charlotte,” Marcus said once dinner had been announced and they’d taken their seats at the dining room table. “I do hope you don’t mind me calling you Charlotte. If I recall, you never gave me leave to do so.”
“It’s quite all right,” she said. “And expected if I am to use your given name.”
“Nevertheless, a gentleman ought to ask for permission.” Marcus smiled. “What I was going to ask is whether you’ve settled on a date for the wedding?”
“Oh. Um…” Charlotte hadn’t even spared it one thought yet. She glanced at Blayne, seeking guidance.
“Charlotte and I havenae had a chance to discuss any dates yet,” Blayne said. “But since our attachment will soon be described in the papers, I think it best to act with haste, which is why I spent several hours today securing a special license.”
He placed his hand over Charlotte’s, adding strength and warmth. Her heart fluttered in response, not only because of his touch but because of his words and what they implied. “We could marry tomorrow if we wish?”
“Aye. Provided we’re able to find a vicar who’s free to perform the service.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Guthrie said. “Just leave it to me.”
“Would tomorrow be too soon?” Charlotte asked Blayne while trying to block out everyone else. After all the resistance they’d faced so far, she wanted to seal their union as quickly as possible, before her father came up with some other plan to prevent it.
“Not for me, lass. I’d wed ye right now, if I could. My only regret would be denying ye the grand Society wedding ye deserve.”
“You must know I don’t care about that. The only thing of any importance to me is becoming your wife. As quickly as possible.”
Blayne smiled and told Marcus. “It seems we’ve settled on tomorrow.”
“Oh, how exciting,” Regina said. “I will speak with Cook immediately after dinner so we can arrange a wedding breakfast for you along with a cake.”
The butler, a brawny looking fellow whose jacket stretched a bit too tightly across his chest, entered. “Forgive the interruption, but your parents are here to see you, Miss Russell. I’ve shown then into the parlor.”
Unease latched hold of Charlotte’s ribs and squeezed her chest. She did not wish to see either of them right now, least of all her father. Why were they here, anyway? The only explanation she could think of was that they wanted to try and convince her to come home.
Squaring her shoulders, she thanked the butler and told him she would be there shortly. She would not return home or give up on Blayne. If it was a scandal they feared, she would assure them the wedding would be a small affair and that she would quietly slip from Society without any fuss.
“Allow me to come with ye,” Blayne said, rising along with the rest of the men as soon as she stood. “I willnae interfere. I’ll just offer support.”
Charlotte appreciated the offer. He was her strength – the rock she knew she could lean on. She was glad he would be there to help her through this, so she took the arm he offered, made her excuses to everyone else, and allowed him to lead her into the parlor where her parents waited.
16
Schooling his features to the best of his ability, Blayne waited for Charlotte to greet her parents, then spoke a succinct, “Good evening,” himself.
It wouldn’t do to appear hostile, no matter how much he wanted to toss Lord Elkins out for all the grief he’d caused his daughter. Charlotte didn’t deserve the ill-treatment, and for Lady Elkins to try and pretend he was acting in her best interest was pure hogwash at this point.
“Why are you here?” Charlotte asked in the sort of detached tone that would have shattered Blayne if she’d been speaking to him.
“Your father told me what happened,” Lady Elkins said. Her face was contorted in what looked like genuine pain. “We’ve come to see if amends are possible.”
Blayne caught a momentary hint of remorse in Charlotte’s eyes before she banked the emotion once more. Jaw tight, she said, “Papa made himself perfectly clear when he denied us his blessing.”
“He was in shock,” Lady Elkins said. She swung back to face her husband, addressing him with surprising sternness. “Well, say something, will you?”
Lord Elkins gave his wife a hesitant look before expelling a deep breath. “I hope you can both accept my sincere apology for the manner in which I behaved. While I cannot pretend to be overjoyed by—”
“Edmund,” his wife hissed.
Lord Elkins cleared his throat. “I believe I may have spoken too hastily this afternoon. If you would be so kind as to stop by my home tomorrow, Mr. MacNeil, we can see to the marriage settlement while Charlotte takes tea with her mother.”
“I thought you said my dowry was gone,” Charlotte said. “In which case I see no point in a settlement.”
“While I cannot spare much,” Lord Elkins said with embarrassment hanging off every word, “the funds I received from Mr. Cooper will enable me to bestow a small sum upon you. About two hundred pounds, which will be transferred to you upon your marriage to Mr. MacNeil.”
“We’d like to help plan a wedding,” Lady Elkins added.
“Thank you.” Charlotte’s posture and voice remained stiff. “I appreciate the offer but Blayne and I intend to marry tomorrow by special license. You may attend, if you wish.”
“But what about your trousseau?”
“I am sure I can manage with the same things I have gotten by with until now.”
“Do you not want a wedding gown, Charlotte? We could order one from La Belle Anglaise. For a reasonable sum,” Lady Elkins added when her husband winced.
“That really isn’t necessary, Mama.”
“And of course,” Lady Elkins said, “there is the added benefit of diminishing talk by not rushing into matrimony.”
“She does have a point,” Blayne murmured. Initially, he’d wanted to get the whole business over and done with quickly before Mr. Hallibrand’s story went to print. But as long as he and Charlotte were officially engaged and her parents showed their support of the match, the kiss the journalist had witnessed wouldn’t be overly scandalous. In fact, a hasty wedding would only make people wonder if they might have done something more than just kiss.