Gamble With Hearts by Hilary Gilman Read Free Book Online

arrayed herself in a morning gown of jonquil crepe, charmingly tucked to display her figure to advantage. Charlotte, who had never before considered her looks but as a weapon, was for the first time grateful for her own sake that she was beautiful. She curvetted before the mirror, smiling at her reflection and in general behaving very much the same way as any other young lady of eighteen in the throes of her first love.
    Mrs Wrexham and Lady Northwood were already partaking of breakfast when Charlotte appeared. She apologised gracefully to her aunt and bent to kiss her mama before seating herself and attacking the meal with a healthy appetite. Presently it struck her that her loving relatives seemed incongruously grim on such a lovely morning and laughingly she rallied them upon it.
    ‘Why, dearest, what is the meaning of that long face? Did you not have the most delightful time last night? Was it not the most wonderful party?’
    ‘Yes, Charlotte , it was a very pleasant party,’ replied Mrs Wrexham dully, stifling a sob.
    Charlotte became seriously alarmed. ‘Mama, what is it? Have you had bad news? Are you ill?’
    ‘No, my love, it's Carlington!’
    ‘Not hurt, Mama! Oh not—not—dead!’ cried Charlotte turning deathly pale.
    ‘Oh good heavens, Fanny, see how you have frightened the poor girl!’ exclaimed Lady Northwood in exasperation. ‘No, of course he is not dead, Charlotte . He is perfectly well. What your mother wishes to tell you is that you must put him out of your mind. I am sorry if it distresses you but you really must not think of him anymore.’
    Mrs Wrexham uttered a faint sound of protest, but subsided at a look from her sister.
    ‘Why, ma'am? Why should I not think of him?’ demanded Charlotte in a cold little voice that her mama recognised. It betokened anger rigidly held in check. ‘And pray, whose business is it but mine should I continue to do so?’
    Lady Northwood perceived she had erred. Her young niece could be unexpectedly formidable. She took Charlotte's hand coaxingly, saying, ‘Do not be angry with us, my love, but indeed it will not do. Setting aside that Carlington is one of the wildest rakes in town, he is quite penniless!’
    ‘Indeed?’ asked Charlotte , politely surprised.
    ‘Indeed, child. Now do not poker up so. I am telling you this for your own good. The estate is mortgaged up to the hilt and it is common knowledge that his gaming debts run into thousands. Oh, I know he is charming and to have engaged his interest is something of a triumph; for he does not, in general, dance attendance on young ladies, but remember why you are here, Charlotte! Think of your Mama! What will become of her if you should form a connection with this spendthrift? Indeed, what would become of you? You would be wretched!’
    Charlotte smiled wistfully. ‘I do not think I should be so very unhappy, Aunt.’
    ‘And my poor sister? What of her?’
    Charlotte glanced at her mother, who met her daughter’s gaze rather proudly and squaring her shoulders inside the grey bombazine she answered Lady Northwood for herself. ‘If Charlotte wishes to marry this young man she knows that she will have my support and my blessing. She must not sacrifice her life for me. I did not consult anyone's wishes but my own when I ran away with Wrexham. Why should Charlotte?’
    ‘Because I promised!’ interrupted her daughter impetuously. ‘Oh, Mama, how could you let me be so selfish, even for an instant? Who was it that persuaded you to sell the annuity? Who dragged you here, away from the life you knew? No, I will not back out now. I have made my bed, now I must lie upon it!’
    Thereupon all three ladies burst into tears, rather to the consternation of the butler, who entered at that moment to inform his mistress that the Marquis of Ruthin and Miss Milverly had called upon her.
    Mrs Wrexham stopped crying abruptly and arose hurriedly, shaking out her skirts and patting her hair into place with hands that