Page 94 of How to Wed a Courtesan

‘Yes.’ She tilted her head back to gaze at her husband. ‘Nothing would make me happier.’

A grin lifted the corners of his mouth. ‘I know.’ He indicated their carriage in the distance, which was being packed for their departure. ‘You stay here. I’ll return to London to secure arrangements to have the remainder of our effects brought to Huntly and inform my mother of our decision.’

‘I do hope she’ll join us,’ Lottie said. ‘Do you think she will be terribly distraught?’

‘Most certainly not,’ Evander replied, with enough confidence that it set Lottie’s mind at ease. ‘She always enjoyed our summer estate. Binsey will charm her.’

‘I’d like to return with you,’ Lottie said, realising she had business to tend to in London before their long departure to Huntly. There were good friends to bid farewell to, for a while, and of course the little box for Charles to be delivered.

Upon their return to London, she made her way to Somersville Place to meet Charles. Whatever curiosity Evander harboured about the box’s contents would be soon satisfied, and soon she and Evander would be back at Huntly with his mother and a whole life ahead of them.

Lottie sat in the quiet drawing room of Somersville Place, the small box for the Duke set on the table before her. Whatever it was, the label must have been written some time ago, as the box’s wood had darkened with age and the ink had faded to a pale brown resembling weak tea.

Eleanor and Charles entered, and Lottie got to her feet to embrace her dear friends.

‘I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon after your arrival back into London,’ Eleanor said. ‘But I’m glad for it. I imagine you had a lovely time—you are simply glowing with good health.’

‘Did you enjoy Huntly Manor?’ Charles asked. ‘It’s said to have some of the best hunting in the area.’

‘You know I don’t hunt,’ Lottie chided him. ‘But the pathways surrounding it are truly beautiful and it was wonderful to be back in Binsey once more. Indeed, we will be staying there indefinitely after this brief trip in London.’

‘Oh, Lottie, that’s wonderful news,’ Eleanor said with a smile. ‘I’m pleased to see my brother has not only won back your heart, but clearly knows how to keep it.’

‘I only returned to bid farewell to my friends before our departure.’ Lottie reached for the small box. ‘And to give you something. The current vicar discovered something he said belonged to my father. There were some old items of mine, from when I was a baby. And this.’ She handed it to Charles.

He quirked a brow as he accepted it. ‘This was for my father?’

Lottie nodded. ‘I presume so.’

‘Perhaps it’s another adventure,’ Eleanor said, with more enthusiasm than Lottie had exhibited at the idea. But then, Eleanor now held an affinity for adventure—a newly discovered passion she and Charles enjoyed indulging together with their exotic travels.

Charles did not complain as his wife peered over his shoulder while he pulled the twine free, lifted the top and drew out several papers. ‘It appears to be a letter, though not in my father’s hand.’

His gaze skimmed over it, along with Eleanor’s. Suddenly she sucked in a breath and looked at Lottie.

A knot tied itself in Lottie’s stomach. ‘What is it?’ she asked warily, uncertain if she should want to know.

‘Did you read this, Lottie?’ Charles reached for something else in the box and withdrew what appeared to be a small Book of Common Prayer.

‘No, of course not. Why ever would I do such a thing?’

‘Because while this is written to my father,’ he answered slowly as he opened the book and scanned the first several pages. ‘It also concerns you.’

‘Me?’

Charles lifted his head from the book and stared at her incredulously. ‘Lottie, you’re my sister.’

Chapter Twenty-Eight

While Lottie was visiting with Charles, Evander went through the stack of correspondence on his desk. Most were reports from his steward, as well as several accounts to be reconciled. At the bottom, however, was a missive from the Captain of a ship travelling to the Far East in three days’ time, agreeing to Evander’s offer to become an investor.

Captain Billington’s ship was newly acquired, and he required a good amount of capital for his first few voyages. However, he promised a large return on any investment by way of silks, spices and other goods to be procured on his travels. It was for that reason Evander ended up at an old wooden building by the wharf to meet the Captain that afternoon.

He was not the only investor to do so.

Lord Kentworth entered through the door with a wide smile.

‘Westix. I wondered if you might be the other investor. This seems to have your name all over it.’ They clasped hands in greeting. ‘Welcome back from the country. I trust it wasn’t too dull?’