Page 49 of A Stranger’s Promise

Chapter Twelve

Charlotte neared the nursery. She covered her cheeks with her hands. How could she have acted with such abandon? Gooseflesh raced across her arms with the memory of his warm breath on her skin.

Make himself a liar? If only he would.

The hungry look in his green eyes had underscored the meaning of those words. She’d have let him take her to bed, right willingly. Charlotte paused before the nursery door and took a deep breath to compose herself. Whatever beast she’d unleashed within her heart certainly wasn’t going to allow itself to become caged again—for better or worse.

When her breathing slowed, she opened the nursery door and entered.

Meg sat in front of the fire mending Jane’s petticoat and looked up in alarm. “Losh, what happened?” she asked, but then relaxed and chuckled. “Ah, I see. You have been with his lordship, aye?”

Charlotte blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Your lips.” She chortled. “They call those kiss-swollen lips. Hie yourself to the mirror and have a wee look.

She didn’t go to the mirror. She didn’t dare. Covering her cheeks with her palms, she moaned, “I do think I can do this, Meg.”

“Think?” Meg rose and stretched. “It’s simple enough, lass. All you have to do is answer one wee question.”

Charlotte drew a long breath. “What question is that?”

With a twinkle in her eye, the redheaded maid said in a conspiratorial whisper, “It’s ‘do you want to’?”

Did she want to? Damnation, that’s all she wanted to do.

Heat crept up her cheeks.

Meg grinned, and Charlotte knew her cheeks were flaming.

* * *

Charlotte yawned and indulged in a long, luxurious stretch in the sun that streamed through the window. She hadn’t felt so relaxed in months. She sat up and glanced out the window, into a bright, sunny day. It took a moment to note the angle of the sun, far higher than usual. Sacre-bleu! It was midday. She bolted out of bed, threw on her dress, then fled into the nursery, still gathering her wayward curls into a knot.

Meg and the children, seated at the table, glanced up at her in surprise.

“I fear I have overslept,” she confessed.

“Och, no worries, lass.” Meg’s freckled face melted into laughter as she waved the children back to their studies. “His lordship came earlier, but when I told him you still slept, he ordered you not be disturbed.” Meg drew herself up to her full height and planted her hands on her wide hips as she spoke in a low voice that imitated his lordship, “Let the lass sleep as long as she pleases, Meg. I shall come for her later.”

Charlotte groaned.

A sly look crossed Meg’s face. She stepped close and playfully dug her elbow into Charlotte’s ribs. “Methinks I should start calling you ‘her ladyship’, aye?”

“Heavens, no,” she quickly shushed the jolly maid.

Meg merely laughed and hurried to the hearth. She scooped up a letter from the mantle and came back to Charlotte. “Has his lordship’s seal.” She dropped it into Charlotte’s hand with a knowing wink, then returned to her chair.

Charlotte stared at the letter. What could Alistair possibly have to say to her in a letter? She escaped to her room, broke the red wax seal, and read:

Come to the stables. At once.

Alistair

The letter’s curt, cold words sounded unlike the man, but perhaps he’d been in a hurry…or worse, perhaps something was wrong. It didn’t matter. Her heart began to race at the thought of seeing him again. After she buttoned herself into a newly-made, light blue pelisse, she informed Meg and the children she would return as soon as she could and hurried from the nursery.

Minutes later, Charlotte slipped from the castle. Wind whipped her skirts as she crossed the lawn, toward the clock tower and the stables beyond. He wanted to see her. Concern flooded her. Should she brace herself against disappointment? Perhaps, he had called her to the stables to apologize for the kiss?

Her step faltered. “Really, Charlotte,” she admonished. “He is an earl. You are a governess. This cannot end well.”