Page 51 of A Stranger’s Promise

“Something smells foul,” Nicholas agreed.

Alistair turned to Charlotte. “Have you an enemy here?”

An enemy? She shook her head, even as her thoughts went to Lady Cassilis. The woman had been angry over the accidental meeting on the beach. She wondered if she should mention it.

“I shall look into the matter.” Alistair took the letter from Nicholas. “Surely, someone must have seen who delivered this.”

Charlotte rose. “Then I shall return to the children, my lord.”

He caught her smoothly by the arm and pulled her close. She tensed when he planted a kiss on the top of her head, then melted when he said, “Stay close to the castle and do not walk alone until I get to the bottom of this.”

“I will,” she promised. Keenly aware of Nicholas watching, she took her leave.

Charlotte hurried down the corridor. She’d just placed her foot on the bottom stair of the servants’ stairs when a familiar, and unwelcome, voice spoke behind her.

“Charlotte.”

Captain Edwards stepped up beside her. Wearing a dark blue, squared-cut tailcoat, he held his hat in his hands as his fingers fiddled with the brim.

“May I have a word with you, Charlotte?” he asked in a quiet voice.

She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

He hesitated, then drew a long breath through his nostrils. “I…owe you an apology.”

Her mouth dropped open. Never had she expected to hear the man utter those words.

A maid passed them and hurried up the stairs. He waited until she’d vanished before continuing, “Please, Charlotte. I am leaving soon. I wish…to part on friendlier terms. I have much…to seek forgiveness for. I beg you, spare a few moments.”

Again, another maid appeared, this one carrying an armful of linens. Charlotte stepped aside, allowing her to pass.

Captain Edwards took a step forward. “Surely, you can find enough charity in your heart to spare me a short walk?” A bitter smile tugged at his lips as he waved his hat at the door. “It’s not quite so busy there.”

Her gut screamed ‘no’, but years of polite society prompted her to say, “Only a short walk, Captain. The children are waiting.”

He didn’t hide his relief. He bowed. “I thank you.” He led her down the stairs to a side door near the kitchen that opened to the castle lawn.

As they stepped out into the bright, sunny day, Charlotte drew her pelisse close. “What do you wish to say?” she asked, once they’d gone a suitable distance from the door.

The Captain kept walking, and heaved a sigh, as if overwrought with emotion.

Charlotte frowned but skipped to catch up with him. “Tell me, please.” She glanced back at the castle and added, “My charges are waiting.”

They neared the wall running along the cliff’s edge. Did he intend to follow the path beyond the wall leading to the shore?

She stopped. “This is far enough, Captain Edwards. Say what you have to say and have done.”

He halted and looked at her with such dejection that her heart twisted. She picked up her skirts and hurried to his side.

“Forgive me, Charlotte,” he said.

“Forgive?” she repeated. There were so many things he should seek forgiveness for, she frankly didn’t know of which one he spoke.

His eyes flicked past her. A shadow fell over his face, but before she could respond, he clamped a hand over her mouth.

Then her world went dark.

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