Page 51 of Unmasking the Diamond
Charlotte gave a bitter laugh. “And yet none of that will save me when Lord Luca and I fail to wed within three weeks.”
“A great deal can happen in three weeks.”
“Nothing could possibly happen that would convince me to marry him.”
Sally only shrugged, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “You spend a remarkable amount of time thinking about a man you claim is intolerable.”
Charlotte opened her mouth to retort, but the dinner bell echoed through the townhouse. Rising, she said, “I must go. But only because I will not dignify your comment with a response.”
“You don’t need to,” Sally replied with a knowing smile.
Charlotte made for the door, then paused and whirled around. “I do not spend an enormous amount of time thinking about Lord Luca.”
“Yes, Miss,” Sally answered, all innocence.
Charlotte sniffed and left the chamber, though a tiny prick of doubt wormed its way into her chest. In the corridor, she found her brother waiting, his arms folded and expression unreadable.
In a calm, clipped voice, Alistair asked, “You are engaged?”
“Yes, but?—”
“To Lord Luca?”
“Yes, however?—”
“I was under the impression you despised him.”
“I do?—”
“Then why, pray tell, are you engaged to him?”
Charlotte arched a brow. “May I speak now?”
Alistair inclined his head. “By all means, enlighten me.”
Taking a steadying breath, she explained, “The Duke of Brackenford offered for me, and Lord Luca intervened by declaring we were already engaged.”
“And how precisely is that ‘saving’ you?”
“The duke would not have accepted my refusal. It was the only way to deter him.”
Alistair frowned, rubbing his jaw. “Well, I suppose Jane must begin planning your wedding luncheon, then.”
Charlotte’s heart lurched. “Oh, I have no intention of actually marrying him.”
“Pardon?”
“It is merely a ruse.”
Her brother’s brows drew together. “Surely you are not that naïve?”
Charlotte lifted her chin, though doubt clawed at her insides. “It may appear impossible, but Lord Luca will have a plan.” Or at least, she prayed he did.
“Well, by all means, I look forward to hearing it,” Alistair said, gesturing down the corridor. “We should go down for dinner.”
Charlotte linked her hands together to steady them as they began walking side by side. Every step down the corridor felt heavy with the weight of what she had confessed.
“How was your carriage ride with Lord Luca?” Alistair asked, his tone far too casual.
