Page 65 of Charlotte's Kisses

Keep your bloody nose out of my bloody business. Come near me again, and I will pound your face into the ground. Tell that fool, Chesterhill, I want nothing to do with him. I will cut out his wicked wife’s heart if he dares start a rumor about me or anyone in my family. He does not want the things I know about her to get out. First and foremost, she bathes in infant blood to keep her youthful appearance. And this is only the start.

Do not test me. Stay the fuck out of my life.”

The response did not shock Hugh in the least. What took him by surprise was that Ravenforde had the foresight not to sign the note.

“My wife does not bathe in infant blood.” Chesterhill dropped his head onto the table and whimpered.

Hugh stifled his,Are you sure about that?“I believe his decision is quite clear.”

Chesterhill mumbled something indecipherable into the table.

How torturous to watch a grown man blubber like a child. “I have another promising lead,” he said, hoping to cheer Chesterhill up. “I believe I may be able to track down Celine Stone.”

Chesterhill lifted his face from the table. “Celine Stone?”

“Cleopatra from the Pink Petal. Celine was her given name,” Hugh said.

“Christ. I did not even know her name.” The man’s arrogance gone, he bowed his head. “Thank you, Fletcher. I am grateful for your assistance.”

Without a second thought, Hugh blurted, “Grateful enough to allow me to marry Charlotte?”

Chesterhill simply stared at Hugh for a moment before responding. “Alexander made me aware of your intentions and Charlotte’s feelings.” He opened his mouth to say something else, but instead clamped his lips closed. At length, he said, “But Fletcher, you have nothing to offer my daughter.”

“Love, devotion, protection...”From your wife. “Family.”

Chesterhill sat silent.

“My family is quite loving and welcoming.” Hugh hated to use his cousins as leverage, but in case his mother and sister’s love was not enough, he’d mention his connections. “Do not forget, the Duke of Astleyshire is my first cousin as well as the prince’s confidant. My cousin Katrina is married to the Earl of Trent’s brother and has the queen’s ear. And my cousin Ethanis quite a popular bloke. His parties are all the rage in Brighton society.”

“But you are the son of innkeepers.”

“My mother owns a genteel inn in Brighton,” Hugh declared, his shoulders pulled back. “And I was educated alongside England’s elite.” Hugh hated to brag, but he’d been left with no choice. “I took a first from Cambridge.”

The marquess snorted. “Fletcher, if you break her heart or mistreat her in any way, despite what you are doing for me, I will have your heart ripped out.”

Fair enough. “Sir, I will treat her like she is a princess. I will devote my life to her.”

Tears formed in Chesterhill’s eyes. “That is how I should have treated her. I have been somewhat negligent.”

“Forgive me for saying so, but I will be honest when it comes to Charlotte. She loves you unconditionally, even though you ignore that your wife torments her.”

Chesterhill paled, once again looking as if he might keel over at any moment. “Do you not understand, Fletcher? This is why I have asked for your help. I have spent my life being an absolute arse without a care for anyone. I want to do better.”

“Then make it up to Charlotte,” Hugh said. “Allow me to dote on her. With the money you pay me, I shall open an agency—Fletcher’s Investigations and Bounty. I am quite good at what I do. I will buy us a lovely flat in London. We shall have loads of pets. Charlotte adores animals.”

Where in the hell had that idea come from? It was a bloody good goal. Yes, indeed, he would start his own agency.

“She does love her little pets. She has always had a way with animals.” After an excruciatingly long sigh, the marquess practically whispered, “She has a dowry.” Thereupon, his future father-in-law scowled at him. “I agree on one condition. Youmust not be caught in her room again engaged in untoward affairs. You shall wait until you are married.”

Damnation, that would be a tough promise to keep. But Hugh would do his best. “Agreed.”

Chesterhill held out his hand. Smiling, Hugh shook it vigorously.

“And I expect grandchildren sooner than later,” Chesterhill said.

Thank the heavens above because Hugh planned to work through every page of theHow to Please Your Loverchapter inThe Secret Life of Gentlemen,andonce they were wed, he vowed to practice daily until his vivacious wife was good and sated.

It was almost midnight when Hugh scaled the tree beside Chesterhill Manor. Lech that he was, he quite enjoyed climbing onto a women’s balcony. Hopefully, this time he did not end up locked in the cellar. He had important things to attend to and could do without interference from fathers, brothers, henchmen, or hellish harpies.