Page 82 of Miss Beresford and the Beast

Magnus was determined to give it to her. Even if he had to tear Moorcross Manor down to its foundations do it.

Charlotte restlessly walked the confines of her bedchamber, her arms folded at her waist. Two whole days she’d waited for her father to call on Magnus. And for two whole days he’d remained occupied with Mr. Tate, dispatching him with letters and telegrams, and sending him on various errands. She could only guess at what intelligence the secretary was bringing Papa in return.

She paced back to her bed. “It’s beyond endurance waiting this way!” she declared to herself.

How was she meant to keep control of the situation if she was no longer allowed a hand in it? She didn’t even know if her father had learned about the scandal yet. About the curse, the deaths, the inquest. More importantly still, she didn’t know if Magnus had received the supplies she’d ordered for him.

Twining her cashmere shawl more firmly about her arms, she wandered to the carved walnut table beside her bed. Agatha’s letter remained open upon it. Charlotte had read it many times since Papa had first given it to her.

It was short by Agatha’s standards. She was known for her long letters, never failing to update Charlotte on every minute detail of life at home whenever Charlotte was away. Her brevity on this occasion was the surest indication of just how worried she’d been.

Sinking down on the edge of the mattress, Charlotte picked the letter up again and, once more, cast her eye over her sister’s words.

Darling Charlotte,

I pray this finds you safe and well. Doubtless you are both. And doubtless you will be thinking me an awful tattletale. You are, however, not lacking in good sense. In time that sense will prevail and you will see that sharing Miss Champion’s letter with Papa was the exact right thing to do.

For if I did not give it to Papa, I must give it to Arthur or Nick, who would inevitably make things worse. And I could hardly go to Mama, could I, for she would only tell Papa herself. And then he would be doubly vexed for us having caused her undue distress.

There is nothing Papa cannot sort out. I am confident he will have you safely back in Somerset within a fortnight. My only hope is that you haven’t done anything unforgivably stupid in the meanwhile. You know what I mean!!

Sending scolds, lectures, and love to you.

Always,

Agatha

Charlotte set down her sister’s letter with a sigh. She did know what Agatha meant. It was an accepted fact between them that Charlotte often followed her heart rather than her head.

“It’s going to get you into trouble one of these days,” Agatha often warned her.

“Perhaps it might,” Charlotte always replied. “But my heart hasn’t steered me wrong yet.”

Charlotte was certain it hadn’t done so in Magnus’s regard. The past two days she’d spent without him had only served to make her firmer in her conviction.

“Charlotte?” A single knock announced Lucy as she opened the door. She entered, closing the door behind her. She was still in her morning dress, a frilly cap pinned atop her brown curls.

Charlotte rose from the bed. “I’m as capable as anyone of managing my affairs,” she said without preamble.

Lucy came to her. “Assuredly so. I never meant to suggest⁠—”

“If only my father would allow me to manage them.”

Understanding registered on Lucy’s face. Relief followed after it. “Oh, Charlotte. You take on too much.” She clasped Charlotte’s hand, giving it a consoling squeeze. “Now your father is here, isn’t it best to let him take charge? He’s already done so admirably. Indeed, I never saw Dr. Calthrop respond to a summons so quickly.”

Charlotte didn’t need reminding. She’d had to endure another prolonged examination from the man, and a great deal of scrutinizing from Papa in its aftermath. Even then, Papa had not been completely assured of her health.

“And now he’s to take you to London!” Lucy continued, affecting a cheerful smile.

“Yes,” Charlotte said morosely. “To see a specialist.”

Her father had insisted upon it in order to satisfy himself that Charlotte had suffered no long-term consequences from her fall. The village doctor’s diagnosis hadn’t sufficed. Nor would any village doctors’, Charlotte surmised. At times, Papa could be dreadfully high in the instep.

“A minor indignity,” Lucy said. “Only think of afterward. You can shop in Bond Street and attend the theater. You might even begin making plans for your debut. A proper season, Charlotte, where you can meet a gentleman who is suitable instead of—” She stopped. “But I won’t make suggestions. I’ve vowed not to interfere anymore than I already have.”

Charlotte pressed Lucy’s hand briefly in return before releasing it. “Your interference was kindly meant.”

“You didn’t feel that way the day your father arrived,” Lucy said.