A Gentleman's Promise Read Online Free Page A

tried, the fear that he would think of her as forward made her throw the letters away instead.
    Charlotte finished her tea and sighed. If only she’d stood firm with h er father and demanded to be released of the understanding with James , her life could have been be so different now. Not even the blessing of children to take the edge from the life she lived.
    Blowing out the candle Charlotte lay down and tried to not feel sorry for herself. She had made her choice, and it had been wrong. It was as simple and unfortunate as that.
     
    *
     
    Lady Venning had outdone herself with her decorations for the soiree. Everywhere Charlotte looked , roses were gathered in bunches around the corners of the room and before the magnificent unlit fireplaces . The evening was warm and the scent was divine, much nicer than the smell of cigars and sweat from having too many people in a room all at once .
    Charlotte looked down at her evening gown of dark blue crepe and adjusted her bodice a little. Her fingers shook and she mentally chastised herself for being nervous. Lord Helsing may not even make an appearance. And even if he did , there was no reason for him to seek her out.
    After Lord Helsing had left their home that long ago summer’s day, he’d changed too . S ome would say for the better , if that were at all possible. He had returned to London that following season a nd thr own himself into the tonnish life with abandon, before taking himself off to Bath to enjoy the small society there.
    No longer was he a man who watched life go by before him . N ow Lord Helsing enjoyed the ton and all its entertainments. Women spoke of him with wistfulness and affection and Charlotte wasn’t naive enough to believe that he ever spent his nights lonely.
    Married women spoke of his bedroom exploits and accomplishments as if they were discussing the latest dress patterns in La Belle Assemblée . Heat travelled up her neck at the thought and she took a cooling sip of her wine.
    Charlotte frowned , pondering on how she’d missed him these past two years. Lord Helsing , it seemed , was determined not to meet her in society , no matter what his words had been the last day they met. But he was in town and no one who was anyone turned down Lord and Lady Venning ’s invitation . Lord Helsing would be no different.
    Charlotte smiled and watched as Ame lia strode toward her.
    “Charlotte darling, I’m so glad you’re here. How are you, dearest?” she asked, giving her a pointed stare.
    “I’m fine, trul y. I’m sorry I missed your ball. ” S he clasped her best friend ’ s hand.
    “You were missed. Your husband made his excuses for you , but I knew as soon as I reali z ed you were not with him what he’d done. I wanted to come and check on y ou, but Charles wouldn’t let me. N ot,” she said, meeting Charlotte’s gaze, “that he wasn’t concerned also , but because we were , after all, the hosts.”
    Charlotte swallowed the lump wedged in her throat over her friend ’ s concern. “Thank you. But I’m better now. In fact, I haven’t seen James since he left for your ball . I hope he doesn’t arrive her e tonight and make trouble.”
    “He wouldn’t dare. ” Amelia f rown ed . “Charlotte you know Charles and I would be more than willing to have you stay with us. You need to leave you r husband and soon. Before he kills you with his outbursts. This is no way to live your life.”
    Charlotte bit back her tears. She knew the truth of her situation and Amelia was right. One day James would hit her so hard that she’d never recover. It was only a matter of time. But should she leave, her family would be disgraced, her sisters ’ prospects shattered like a pane of glass. No, she couldn ’ t leave her husband, even for her own sake.
    “You’re so kind . And I know how much you care. But I cannot. Please, let’s not discuss this now. I’m simply enjoying the freedom of being at a soiree without James hovering over me like a cloak;