Page 63 of Charlotte's Kisses

“Have you known all along what a monster she is?” Charlotte asked

“Charlie, if you only knew the things I have had to deal with. I believe our stepmother suffers from a case of histrionics, requiring her to need everyone’s attention at all times. It manifests itself in jealous fits of rage and absurd dramatics.The ancient Greeks blamed a misplaced uterus for such afflictions.”

Charlotte winced. That hardly seemed likely. “Mayhap, she is fearful we will throw her out like her last stepchildren?”

“Or she could just be pure evil and require an exorcism,” Hugh said.

Alexander exhaled a defeated groan. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s heart overflowed with affection for him. She may have had to suffer the lady’s insults, but it seemed that was nothing compared to what her brother had been through.

“I am so very sorry.” She pounced on her brother, hugging him as if he were the most precious person in the world. Now that they had mended their strained relationship, would he help her? “Will you talk Papa out of making me marry Lord Nash?”

“Nay. Father’s decision is final.”

“Alexander, I dare say, you could speak with your father and persuade him otherwise,” Emily said.

Alexander wrinkled his nose. “’Tis not my place.”

“Have you already forgotten what you said about Lord Nash last evening?” Emily asked.

Hugh quirked an eyebrow. “What did you say about Nash?”

“Nash is a pompous arse.” Alexander huffed. “I do not favor having him as a brother-in-law.”

Grinning, Charlotte rested her hands on her hips. “What other secrets has my brother confided in you, Miss Coldpepper?”

The girl’s face turned scarlet.

“I plan to ask for your sister’s hand,” Hugh announced as breezily as if he were mentioning a ride in the park.

Shock over his pronouncement hit Charlotte so hard that she was left speechless for a long while. Once she had herwits about her, her excitement burst from her with an enthusiastic cry of joy. She leaped into his arms. “I want to be your wife, Hugh. With all my heart.”

“Fletcher, how can you possibly take care of my sister? You cannot even keep yourself from getting the shite kicked out of you. You have no title. No holdings. No money—”

“Alexander, darling—” Emily rested her hand on his forearm, “—were we not just talking about how people should marry for love?”

Alexander sighed. “Yes.”

Charlotte was quickly coming to adore Emily Coldpepper. Interestingly, the rumors about her were wrong. She did not seem the least bit shy. In truth, she was delightfully bold.

The door opened, and Doctor Wellington stepped into the hall.

“How is he?” Alexander asked.

“Resting and recovering. He will survive this spell.”

“Oh, thank you.” Charlotte lifted her gaze to the heavens.

“I will look in on him tomorrow,” Doctor Wellspring said. “For now, there is to be no stress. Whatever that jumble was about, it cannot happen again in his presence.”

“Understood,” Alexander said as they all muttered their agreements.

The doctor toddled down the hall, eventually disappearing into the stairwell.

“For Papa’s sake, we must put up withhera bit longer, mustn’t we?” Charlotte said, even though the entire prospect made her want to scream.

“I say, I escort her and her Capes to the magistrate for their misdeeds,” Hugh said. “Immediately.”

“Fletcher, it would destroy my father. We must wait until he is well enough to handle the blow. Since she knows we areonto her, I believe her machinations will cease.” Alexander sighed, then smiled. “I dare say, I am famished.”