"Why of all the.." Stephen started, but there was no point in him continuing, as his words were drowned out by Elizabeth and Michael's laughter.

Chapter 6.

Charlotte was not so flippant and brave during the evening meal. She was seated next to Lord Dunham, with Miss Fairfield sitting opposite her. Elizabeth sat at the opposite end of the table to her husband and was flanked by Stephen and a Mr Anderton, Lord Dunham's man of business. This meant that Charlotte was diagonal to Stephen and therefore had no means of receiving support from him during the meal. She was forced to converse with Lord Dunham and Mr Anderton. Both gentlemen were charming and pleasant, but Charlotte felt completely out of place. Even Lord Dunham asking her to use Michael, after the fourth or fifth time she had referred to him as 'my Lord', did not ease her tension. He was not as easy going as his wife, and she dreaded telling them of the situation she was in, and it was a certainty that he would find out the truth later.

On the opposite corner of the table Stephen was having a far more pleasant evening with Elizabeth, but he was aware that Charlotte was feeling uncomfortable and he felt for her.

Elizabeth noticed his glances across the table and was even more curious. "Charlotte seems a lovely girl?" she enquired innocently.

"She is, although don't be fooled by her quiet demeanour, she has a lot of spirit. Dunham is overwhelming her at the moment," Stephen replied with a slight frown of concern for Charlotte.

"Spirited and beautiful, she will be a real hit. Has she come out?" Elizabeth probed.

"No," Stephen said, just a little uncomfortable at being reminded of Charlotte's young age. "She got into a bit of a sc.r.a.pe before she had the opportunity."

"I'm curious to hear what has happened," Elizabeth said honestly. "We shall wait until you gentlemen join us in the drawing room. There is no point giving the staff an opportunity for gossip."

"I appreciate that," Stephen replied. "So, how is married life? Not regretting refusing me?" Elizabeth had been the one and only woman Stephen had previously considered marrying. She had refused him because she had wanted to marry for love. Instead of being angry at her refusal, it had made Stephen think that perhaps he should try to find someone who would love him after all. Those thoughts had obviously not stopped him in his normal pursuits, which had led him to Charlotte.

Elizabeth laughed, "I think my regrets are at the same level as yours," she responded. "We would never have suited."

Stephen smiled, "I suppose not. I could not have coped with turning to mush like Dunham appears to have done." He had noticed the looks that Michael had been sending his wife during the meal.

Elizabeth smiled at her husband, a smile that was filled with love and affection. "He is the most wonderful of men. I could not be happier."

Stephen made some disparaging remark, but his words hid the emotions which the look Elizabeth had given her husband had stirred. It was not jealousy as such, he did not regret not marrying Elizabeth at all, she was correct when she said that they would not have suited. Looking at Dunham and Elizabeth, for the first time in his life he saw what true happiness could bring, and he realised that he wanted it also. He did not believe he could find it, but even as those thoughts pa.s.sed through his mind, he looked at Charlotte and wished she was older. She may have been a good match for him, but he could not seriously consider such a thought, as to do so would cause something like regret.

Seeing the way his two hosts felt for each other, made him long that one day he would find someone foolish enough to put up with all his faults and love him as Elizabeth loved Michael. He shook himself, thinking that he must be getting old, to have such melancholy feelings. He needed a night out in one of his clubs and then onto a certain type of establishment. He thought of Baron Kersal. If he was to be honest, he had never liked the man, but Charlotte's situation made him hate him. When everything was settled with Charlotte, Baron Kersal would have a visit he would not easily forget.

Elizabeth led the ladies out of the room and left Michael, Stephen and Charles Anderton to enjoy their port. Stephen used it as an opportunity to find out more about Kersal.

"Did you ever use the pleasures provided by Baron Kersal?" He asked, accepting a gla.s.s of port from Michael.

Michael looked at him in puzzlement. "No, why?"

"I just wondered if you know how well he was connected," Stephen said. He was not going to divulge too much information while Charles was present.

"No, I had my vices, but I kept away from men like Kersal. They seemed to be a little too close to being depraved for my liking. I don't think he is well connected; he may have plenty of visitors, but I think that is more to do with the services he is providing. I don't think he is well liked," Michael responded, making a.s.sumptions that he hoped would be explained.

"You were more astute than I was then," Stephen responded with a grimace at admitting Michael was right about something. "It seems he has started to become involved with something illegal."

"I would distance yourself from him. If he is stopped, he won't have any compunction about taking you or anyone else who is in his circle down with him," Michael said thoughtfully, for once not gloating over Stephen's compliment.

"I intend being the one to take him down!" Stephen replied, the frown and firm set of his mouth conveying the seriousness of the comment. He was a man who was rarely without a smile, and even if that smile was sometimes cynical and mocking, it was still a smile.

When the gentlemen rejoined the ladies Charles moved across to Miss Fairfield and whispered in her ear. She stood immediately and spoke to Elizabeth. "Would you excuse me please?" She asked her mistress.

"Yes of course, you aren't working at this hour are you Martha?" Elizabeth asked her longtime companion and member of staff.

"Mr Anderton would like to have a word with me. I shall retire afterwards if you have no other need for me," Martha responded.

"No we don't require anything else, thank you. Good night Martha, Charles. We shall see you tomorrow," Elizabeth replied easily.

The pair left the room and closed the door behind them. "I can see why you keep them on board," Stephen said approvingly at the obvious action. "I'm glad they've left, I don't want everyone knowing our business."

Charlotte flushed at Stephen's words. "What he means is my foolishness," she said honestly.

"They would be very discreet, but it would be harder to speak with a large audience," Elizabeth said. "Are we to know your sc.r.a.pe, my dear?"

Charlotte looked quickly at Stephen. "I haven't said a word, don't look daggers at me," he said holding his hands up. "Elizabeth is naturally nosey, and unfortunately intelligent with it."

Elizabeth laughed, instead of being offended. "Be careful Charlotte, he was always very smooth."

Charlotte wondered about the pair, but could not dwell on it; she had to relay her story again to strangers. Her colour and discomfort increased as she explained herself, but she felt some comfort in the fact that Stephen had sat himself next to her on the sofa. It was inappropriate for him to sit so near, but although he was not touching her, she felt comfort in his closeness. She did not elaborate on the way that she had sought Stephen's help, but told them that she had appealed to Stephen, and he had helped her. Between them, they explained how she had been brought there, to try and ensure that, if she was seen that there would be no slur on her character.

Elizabeth and Michael both noticed the unusual action of Stephen sitting next to Charlotte while she was telling her story. He had not touched her, but watched her and interjected if he thought she was struggling with the story. When Charlotte had finished, he smiled at her in rea.s.surance.

"Kersal is taking a big risk getting involved with such a scheme. They must have men at more than one school," Michael said, frowning.

"I'm not sure how many are involved," Charlotte responded. "I do know there are more than two though; the girls mentioned at least two schools. Apparently the money he is going to make is very good."

"All it will take is for them to pick the wrong girl, and they could be exposed. No one except the immoral would tolerate such an unsavoury scheme," Michael continued.

"He has already picked the wrong girl! I intend making my disgust known," Stephen said grimly, receiving an alarmed look from Charlotte.

"You could endanger yourself," Michael said. "There must be a lot of money being made, as Charlotte says, for it to be worth the trouble. You need to be wary Halkyn, he will not scruple to get rid of anyone who tries to interfere. Don't let your headstrong ways put you in danger, you are not infallible."

Stephen responded with his usual style. "Why Dunham, are you saying you would miss me if I was done away with?"

"No, but my wife would be upset. Why, I have no idea, but as my wife's happiness is my main concern, I advise you to not get yourself killed," Michael said dryly.

Charlotte gasped and put her hand on Stephen's arm. "No! You cannot, you must not put yourself at risk because of me. I wish I had never asked for your help if the result will be that you get hurt!" she said in a panic.

Stephen covered her hand with his. "Have you so little faith in my abilities?" He asked. His tone was light, but for some reason it meant something to him that she had faith in him.

"I am fully appreciative of your capacity to get out of sc.r.a.pes," Charlotte replied, gaining control of her panic. "I've seen you in action, remember? I fear that you would be outnumbered and in that situation you would be at risk."

"Would you be rea.s.sured if I said I will be careful?" Stephen asked.

"Yes, a little, but would you refrain from such actions if I asked you to?" Charlotte asked.

Stephen thought for a moment. "No, but I have considered it for a moment, which is more than I would do for anyone else."

"Well if you are going to be completely foolish, why should I waste my time worrying?" Charlotte said, the tone of voice betraying the true feelings behind the words.

Stephen appreciated Charlotte's words and smiled at her. "Quite so. I couldn't have put it better myself."

Elizabeth thought it was prudent to intervene, "Before you get carried away with planning on what revenge you are going to inflict on Baron Kersal, we need to plan how to help Charlotte."

Elizabeth's words focused the attention of the pair and they each reluctantly let go of the other. "If you know of how I could get employment, I would be most grateful," Charlotte said.

Elizabeth noticed the firm set of Stephen's jaw, but spoke before he could say anything. "There will be no need for you to seek a position, and you may stay here for as long as you wish," she offered.

"Oh no!" Charlotte responded quickly. "I cannot rely on you for the rest of my days. I must be able to earn my living."

"I would not expect you to be here for the rest of your days!" Elizabeth said with a smile at the nave comment. "With your looks, all we need to do is have a few dinner parties and you would be married within the month!" She suppressed the smile that wanted to show itself at the look on Stephen's face. Her refusal of his marriage proposal had not upset him as much as her last words had done. She was enjoying seeing such a betrayal of feelings, but she had doubts about his suitability for Charlotte.

Charlotte had blushed at Elizabeth's words. "I would prefer to find honest work so I can support myself," she replied quietly, but firmly. She could not express that she had already been spoiled for others; she knew she could not have him, but the only man she wanted was Stephen. She did not want to be paraded around the local gentry.

Michael thought it best to interrupt. "You may stay as long as you wish, there is no point rushing into a decision," he said kindly to Charlotte. "In the meantime you do need to write to your uncle and let him know you are safe."

"I can't do that!" Charlotte exclaimed, the feelings of fear and panic overriding her previous reticence when speaking to Michael.

"He is your guardian," Michael explained with a smile. "He will be worried."

"I sent him a letter, saying that I was eloping," Charlotte almost moaned. "He will think I am a fallen woman, he will want nothing to do with me."

"I am sure if he knows the truth, he will understand," Elizabeth soothed. "Guardians have a way of worrying about their wards." She smiled at her husband.

"Especially when they have troublesome wards," Michael groaned in response, but there was no sting to his words.

Charlotte, misunderstanding the words sighed, "Yes, I have been very troublesome."

Stephen decided that he better be the one to explain the situation to Charlotte because Michael and Elizabeth were smiling at each other and it was making him feel nauseous. "Dunham was Elizabeth's guardian," he explained. "She was a complete pain and he was too pig-headed to act on his feelings."

"I heard that, Stephen," Elizabeth said indignantly. "But your uncle must be worried Charlotte. Why don't you let Michael write to him and explain some of what has gone on, and invite him to stay here for a few days? That way you can have time to think about what you really want to do and the two of you will be able to talk things through."

Elizabeth's words were tempting to Charlotte; it would be a relief if she could sort things out with her uncle. He was her only relative and although they would never be close, it did bother her to know that he would be thinking badly of her. She was mulling over her options when Stephen intervened.

"I should be the one to contact him, not Dunham," he said abruptly.

"We are trying to prove that Charlotte is still an innocent girl, a letter from you would suggest that she is anything but. I'm sure in Lincolnshire they read the gossip pages and your name is rarely out of them," drawled Michael, amused that his words caused an immediate angry response from Stephen.

"Why, you...." Stephen started, standing and moving towards Michael.

"Boys!" Elizabeth said firmly. "We shall not have childish behaviour from either of you, if you don't mind."

Stephen stopped and moved over the fireplace, still fuming at Michael. "It's about time he learned to control his manners, and his mouth," he muttered.

"He speaks some truth," Elizabeth said, but raised her hand before Stephen could interrupt. "You are a single man Stephen and that is the fact of the matter. The letter would be more appropriate coming from Michael."

Stephen reluctantly agreed. It felt as if he was no longer in charge of helping Charlotte, and the feeling unsettled him.

Chapter 7.

Charlotte felt more confident about her future when she woke. If Michael could smooth the waters with her uncle, perhaps she would not be cast off as she feared. She mulled over what her future could be, while Maggie fixed her hair. She would not be forced to work, but she would be expected to marry. She had always wanted to marry and have a family, it was just that over the last few days something had happened that made her think that no matter how many men she came into contact with, none would stir the feelings that Lord Halkyn had. The reality was that Lords did not normally marry someone who was unconnected, with a small, if any, dowry. A pity, when the thought of being loved by him for the rest of her life, made her insides warm with pleasure.

She joined the small group in the dining room. She had chosen to wear a pale yellow day gown that was edged in lace with a scalloped hem. It was feminine and enhanced her colouring. She felt like a young lady, rather than a school girl as she entered the room.

Charlotte paused in the doorway at the scene before her. Michael was sitting at the table reading the paper. Stephen was opposite Michael, tucking into a large plate full of food and Elizabeth was helping herself to some of the bread on the side table. There was nothing remarkable about the scene, apart from Elizabeth's attire; she was dressed in breeches, a shirt and braces.

Stephen noticed Charlotte's shocked expression and laughed, drawing the attention of the others. "If it is any consolation my dear, your expression mirrors the one that was on my face when I entered the room!" he said easily to Charlotte.

She flushed, a little embarra.s.sed and felt every bit the naive school girl that she was. Elizabeth noticed her embarra.s.sment and responded to it. "Oh, I'm sorry, I've shocked you," she said moving across to Charlotte. "I should have warned you that when I work on the estate, I dress in breeches, I do forget that not everyone is used to seeing me like this."

"I'm sorry, I'm not shocked, it's just...." Charlotte stammered, trying to make herself sound less inexperienced.

Michael came to her rescue. "My wife nearly gave Mr Anderton a heart attack the first time he saw her. You will now appreciate that I am married to an eccentric woman. I hope I have your sympathy," he said with a grimace. His expression turned to one of amus.e.m.e.nt as Elizabeth threw her napkin at him. "Eccentric and violent," he finished.

"Come and sit down Charlotte, help yourself to some breakfast," Elizabeth said, purposely ignoring her husband. "I forgot to warn you and I do apologise. Now, I have work to do on the estate that would ruin that beautiful gown of yours. I suggest Stephen takes you round the grounds in Michael's phaeton; the grounds are lovely at the moment. I am looking forward to comparing all the seasons as time pa.s.ses, but I have not been here for a full year as yet."

Stephen raised his eyebrows at Elizabeth. "And if I had other plans?" he asked. His words brought a deeper flush to Charlotte's cheeks and he rectified his mistake quickly. "I was going to invite you for a walk Charlotte, but now that our hostess has interfered, you have a choice, phaeton or walk."

Charlotte had been mortified at Stephen's words, but was consoled by his offer. "A phaeton ride would be lovely, thank you."

The group separated after breakfast. Elizabeth promised to be free after lunch to show Charlotte around her house. Michael and Mr Anderton closed themselves in the study. Stephen led Charlotte out to the phaeton.

"I'm sure Dunham won't have sent his best horses around, but we will have an acceptable team to drive us about," Stephen said lightly.

"Any pair of horses would be acceptable to me, I've never been in a phaeton before," Charlotte said with a smile.

"That's what I have to keep reminding myself, you are an innocent in every way," Stephen responded, more to himself, but the blush that stained Charlotte's cheeks was gratifying. It may be cruel, but he did enjoy teasing her.

"I'm not as innocent I was, thanks to Baron Kersal," Charlotte responded, but regretted her words at Stephen's frown. "Although a lack of innocence does have its advantages when accosting drunken Lords."

Stephen grinned, "I wasn't that drunk. I managed to think up a plan."

"You did and it was very convincing. I'm surprised you haven't been on the stage," Charlotte said, appreciating the ability to bring him away from the focus on Baron Kersal. The less she thought of anything to do with that man, the better.

"It was far too tempting to be involved with sc.r.a.pes both dramatic and farcical, off stage, my dear," Stephen responded.

They rode around the park until it felt like they had explored every lane. Stephen had not visited before; Michael had not really held entertainments at his home in the years he had held the t.i.tle. He was impressed with the size and the obvious care of the park, it was clear that Elizabeth and Michael worked hard.

Stephen made Charlotte laugh while they drove. She bantered with him at every opportunity, but her lack of experience caused her to blush. Previous to meeting Charlotte, Stephen would have thought a morning spent with a genteel young lady tedious at best. With Charlotte though, he found it refreshing and funny. The blushes that frequently coloured her cheeks were endearing and he returned to the house for lunch, feeling relaxed and happy, an unusual emotion for such a cynical man.

Elizabeth, Michael, Miss Fairfield and Mr Anderton joined them for lunch. Michael suggested to Stephen that they have a ride out during the afternoon to the far reaches of the estate. Stephen agreed, but turned to Charlotte.