Page 61 of Charlotte's Kisses

“Oh, Xander, this is so good to hear.” Her stepmother threw her head back and tittered—unconvincingly, in Charlotte’s humble opinion. “Why would you think that I want you dead? You know I love you so.”

“Xander, my sweet…”

“Xander, my love…”

On and on the black widow wove a deceitful web of sweetly cooed sentiments. If Charlotte had eaten these last few hours, she’d cast up her accounts. Meanwhile, her father melted into the seductress’s touches.

Alexander inserted himself between the couple, forcing their stepmother to scooch away. “I dare say, we should call for Doctor Wellington.”

“Nonsense. ’Twas just a little spell. I am as fit as a flea. As right as rain. Now, someone tell me. What the dickens is going on?”

This hardly seemed the appropriate time to discuss the kidnapping and attempt on Charlotte’s life. Unfortunately, her hesitation gave the marchioness ample time to commandeer the conversation.

“I was trying to keep this brute from running away with our dear daughter,” she said.

Balderdash. Now that the subject had been breached, Charlotte would have to address it. “Papa, she tried to have me killed. The captain of her guard took me into the woods, intending to end my life.”

“I would never…” Lady Chesterhill held a hand to her heart.

Both Alexander and Hugh scoffed.

A black cape fluttered past the doorway.

“Leon,” Lady Chesterhill called.

Shoulders hanging, Leon stepped into the room. “Yes, my lady?”

“Please come here,” she said.

He shuffled to them, halting at the foot of the bed.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. Please tell everyone why you took Lady Charlotte into the woods.”

“I was trying to keep her from running off with Mr. Fletcher. Forgive me for being so bold, but he has a reputation as a notorious rake. And after he…” Leon’s gaze slid to her father, and he winced.

It seemed he was unable to lie about Hugh to her father’s face.

“Well, I only wanted to protect her. But she stole my pistol, hit me with it, and then ran away, leaving me injured and with no protection.” Leon pointed to the bruise on his forehead.

Charlotte had promised Leon that she would say as much. But at the time, she had not known this might allow Lady Chesterhill to get away with a horrific deed.

“I am an old man with only one wish,” Papa said. “I want my entire family surrounding me.” He grasped his chest again. “It might be time for us to call for Doctor Wellington.”

Emily Coldpepper strode back into the room. “Please forgive me for interfering. I already called for the doctor.”

Following the collective gasp, she shrugged. “You were all quite distracted.”

Alexander beamed at her. “Thank you.”

“Alexander, do you plan to introduce me to this lovely friend of yours?” Papa asked as charming as ever. Quite a feat seeing as how he was propped on pillows and clutching his chest.

“Father, this is Emily Coldpepper. Emily, my father the Marquess of Chesterhill.”

Emily stepped forward and curtsied. “My lord.”

Papa smiled at her. “Oh, yes. I recognize you now. Baron Coldpepper’s oldest daughter?”

“Yes, sir,” she said.