Page 54 of Charlotte's Kisses

“Fuck,” Hugh muttered under his breath.

He reached for his shirt and shoved his arms into the sleeves as Lady Chesterhill glided toward them.

Who in the blazes wore a silky black dressing gown besides sorceresses and female demons?

Apparently, Suzannah.

Interestingly, her flowing dress hid how bone-thin she was. In the candlelight, she could pass for a woman of three and twenty. A bright red ribbon was tied around the hair hanging over one shoulder. She painted a terrifying, yet still somehow beautiful, picture.

“What do we have here?” she asked, a twisted smile on her face.

Charlotte’s heart pumped so forcefully that she feared it might burst through her chest. Bile oozed up her throat, and despite what felt like a drop in temperature, sweat dripped from her forehead. Doing her best to ignore her trepidation, she squared her shoulders to the evil presence.

Lady Chesterhill sniffed. “I hate the stench of cat.”

“My lady, why are you in my chamber?” Charlotte asked as Hugh growled through clenched teeth.

“I believe the more pertinent question is, why is he in your room?”

As Lady Chesterhill stalked toward Hugh, two caped men ambushed him from behind. Within seconds, they had his legs spread wide and his arms locked behind him.

Charlotte rushed toward them. “Do not hurt him.” It was as if she was possessed by an enraged pugilist as her fists pummeled the men holding Hugh.

Leon grasped her around the waist and tugged her backward. “I do not want to hurt you, so please calm down,” he whispered against her cheek.

He could not hurt her if she maimed him first. She whirled on him and kicked him in the shin. He flung her around and wrapped his arms over her shoulders, capturing her in a snug hold.

“If you hurt her, I will kill you all,” Hugh growled out.

Charlotte fought to free herself to no avail. Leon was skilled in combat, twice her size, and exceedingly strong. Therefore, she helplessly watched as the guards shoved Hugh toward Lady Chesterhill, who brazenly scraped her fingernails down his chest, leaving behind a trail of blood.

“I will see you in hell,” Hugh spat out.

Lady Chesterhill rolled her eyes and flicked her wrist. “Silence him. Then, lock him in the cellar. See that he isunharmed this time because I still have need of his services.” She smiled wickedly as her gaze raked up and down Hugh’s body.

“You bloody cu—” was all Hugh got out before a cloth was shoved into his mouth.

“You may have my father wrapped around your finger, but you will never get away with this,” Charlotte declared.

Lady Chesterhill shifted her attention from Hugh to Charlotte, and she tsked.

Charlotte held no doubts; her life was in danger. And over what? A woman who hated her for breathing the same air?

With her back to Leon, Charlotte could not kick or punch him. Although…

She clasped his forearm between her teeth and bit down as hard as she could.

“Ouch.” Leon swatted at her as if she were a pesky fly.

Despite his letting go, she could not escape because he immediately locked his forearm around her neck, restricting her airflow. Panicking over her inability to breathe, she dug her fingernails into his skin until he loosened his hold. She sputtered and gasped, inhaling the biggest breath of her life.

“Silence her too, you fools, before someone hears her blubbering,” Lady Chesterhill said.

But she was not blubbering. She was simply trying to take in air. However, she should be screaming for help.

“Help, Pa—” was all she got out before a gag was shoved into her mouth.

“Do you want her taken to the cellar as well?” Leon asked.