Her lips twisted briefly. “I do.”
Though he dearly wanted to ask why she’d gone or what she intended, now wasn’t the time, nor was he certain it was his place. Nor could he say nothing. “You didn’t respond to my request for your promise.”
Her chin tipped up with defiance. He could practically see one emotion after another running over her expression. “Did you mention it to Edward?” The hint of worry darkening her gaze tightened something inside him.
“Not yet.” He hoped she heard his veiled threat. He was willing to do whatever it took to protect her even if that meant telling Edward. “Do you intend to return there?”
She considered his question for a moment. “Most likely not.”
“Hmm. Your hesitation makes me wonder if you speak the truth.”
During his university days, he had spent a fair amount of time with Edward and his family and thought of Charlotte much like a younger sister of his own. At least that was what he’d convinced himself early that morning when he’d sought his bed, unable to dismiss her from his thoughts.
Yet thinking of the woman standing before him as such was impossible. She didn’t bring to mind sisterly thoughts. She was a beautiful, desirable woman. One he would have taken a second look at no matter where he saw her. It was proving difficult to merge his previous impression of her with the disturbing one he now held.
“I don’t intend to return there.” She glanced away as she offered the answer.
“You are a poor liar.” Her quiet gasp nearly made him smile. He never would’ve guessed that confronting her would be this entertaining.
“What makes you think I’m lying?” Her gaze locked on him with no small measure of surprise.
“Let's just say my military experience aids me in that regard.” Most officers had to be good at reading others as they needed to make snap decisions about who to put in charge of what based on first impressions, body language, and attitude. Charlotte was hiding something and he intended to find out what. “Why don’t you tell me what you were doing there?”
Her polite smile held a distinct chill. The lady was no namby-pamby. Unfortunately, the trait made him admire her even more.
“While I appreciate that you and Edward have renewed your friendship, we are practically strangers. You can’t expect me to confide in you.”
Her response would no doubt have most men easing back. But not him. He didn't pause to consider the reason he couldn't let this go.
“I appreciate that.” He nodded as if in agreement. “Perhaps it would be best if you spoke with Edward about it then. I’d be happy to gain his attention for you and explain the situation.”
Her scowl brought forth her dimple, causing his chest to tighten in the oddest fashion.
“I would rather he didn’t know about this.”
“Oh?” He lifted his brows to feign surprise. “Then maybe I would do after all.” He couldn't help a small feeling of triumph at winning the argument. But it was her safety that was his true concern.
When she didn’t reply, he added, “I feel a certain protectiveness toward you.” Though surprised he felt the need to explain, he wanted her to understand the reason behind his persistence. “I would feel terrible if anything happened to you when I had the chance to prevent it.”
“Nothing is going to happen.” Her confidence was admirable, but he knew better than her the dangers life held.
“Who were you with?” Perhaps she would be willing to answer that question.
“Friends.” The way she bit her lower lip suggested she was weighing the pros and cons of telling him more.
“Which friends?” Their opportunity to speak would be over any moment, and he’d learned nothing.
Too late did he realize he’d asked the wrong question. He hadn't been in polite society for years and might not know who she revealed.
Yet he sensed something was amiss. He didn't want her to find trouble. Though she seemed far different from the silly young ladies of which society was normally full, he had no doubt she was an innocent. She might not recognize trouble even when it stared her in the face.
“Lady Barbara Candon and her brother, Lord Palmer.”
Though he searched his memory, their names weren’t familiar. While he was reassured to think another woman had accompanied her, he couldn't set aside his suspicions.
“And did you find what you were looking for?”
A satisfied smile curled her lips. “Yes, I believe I did. It was quite enjoyable.”
“I hope you take better care in the future,” he warned. “I'd hate to see trouble find you.”
“With luck and proper planning that won't happen.”
Her response had him clenching his jaw. Before he could protest, Edward turned toward them, cutting off their conversation.
“This isn’t over,” James whispered.
She raised a brow as if daring him to say something to her brother.
He would if necessary. But first, he wanted to know more about the man who’d escorted her to the party.
~*~
“Did you go?”
The whispered question had Charlotte turning to see one of her best friends, Margaret Gold, at her side at the Arlington Ball the following evening. “When did you arrive?”
Margaret didn’t attend many functions as she was often home helping her mother take care of her ailing father.
“A few minutes ago.”
“Wonderful, though I didn’t think you were coming.”
“Father is having a better day, so Mother insisted I attend.” From the way Margaret tightened her lips, Charlotte had to guess that “better” was a relative term.
This ball was one of the few Charlotte had been looking forward to, and she was delighted Margaret was here as well. Lord and Lady Arlington were well-liked and always had lovely music along with delicious food.
If only she felt better. She now thoroughly understood the effects of imbibing too much champagne. The nagging ache in her head that bothered her the entire day made it difficult to think, let alone enjoy the music.
“I agreed mostly because I wanted to find out how things went last evening.” Margaret
