To Dare a Rogue - Lana Williams (novels for beginners TXT) 📗

her mother was doing. Charlotte would do everything in her power to see that wasn’t her own future. Perhaps it was as simple as making sure Lord Samuelson didn't like her without being too obvious.

“Don't forget to select one of your best gowns. You must make a favorable impression.” When her mother repeated herself, it was never a good sign.

Charlotte would be sure to make an impression, but she couldn't promise it would be a positive one. However, she had to take care as she didn't want Lord Samuelson to say something to her father that would reveal that she’d deliberately sabotaged the meeting. Her father would make her pay if she did, and she might never get the chance to do what she wanted.

Only the thought of planning an outing with James kept her from despair.

Chapter Four

“You wish to go where?” James frowned as he stared at Charlotte, certain she’d lost her mind.

He’d ventured to her home on the pretense of speaking with Edward again. Luckily, Charlotte had been sitting in the drawing room writing letters when he’d arrived. He intended to see his promise to escort her somewhere over and done with as quickly as possible. He didn’t want Edward to discover what was happening as he was certain his friend wouldn’t approve.

“To a gaming hell.”

“Absolutely not.” It was out of the question. The very thought nearly made him shudder. “Ladies aren’t allowed in such places.” Thank goodness. Surely that was reason enough to avoid such an outing.

“I am quite aware of that. I don’t have to go inside. I just want to have a peek.”

Images filled his mind as he considered all the things that could go wrong. “It’s not possible. Pick a different place. What about the theater?” Before the words left his mouth, he was certain she’d refuse. But he had to try.

“I’ve been to the theater.” She shook her head, a scowl twisting her rosy lips. “That won’t do. What if I dressed as a man and—”

“No!” James’ heart lurched at the very idea of Charlotte clothed in breeches and running about in public. To think of himself along her side while she was attired as such was impossible. “Absolutely not. Think of something else.”

She tapped a finger on her chin as she considered the question, only to pause when the sound of Edward’s voice echoed in the hallway. “Riding in Hyde Park. Tomorrow morning,” she added quickly.

“Surely you’ve been there many times.” That wouldn’t be much of an adventure.

“I have but not with you.” She glanced toward the drawing room entrance as if worried they’d be interrupted then quickly returned her gaze to his. “However, meeting there will give us a chance to settle on a plan on which we can both agree.”

“Very well,” he agreed with reluctance. Perhaps he could talk her out of this crazy scheme given additional time. “When?”

“Seven o’clock.”

He nodded, surprised by the early hour. However, that time of the morning should provide them with some privacy as most of the ton remained abed until much later.

Edward entered the room, his gaze shifting between them. “Good afternoon. Am I interrupting?”

“Of course not.” Charlotte smiled at her brother. “I was merely keeping James company while he waited for you.” She put away the letter in the lap writing desk and closed the lid. “I’ll leave the two of you to converse.”

James forced himself not to watch her walk out the room and instead turned to Edward. Heaven forbid his friend realized what he and Charlotte were up to.

~*~

James arrived at the Grosvenor gate entrance to Hyde Park just off Park Lane the following morning astride his roan, wondering how long he’d have to wait for Charlotte to arrive.

The park was quiet at this hour of the morning with only a few other riders visible in the distance. He drew a deep breath of the crisp air, realizing he was looking forward to the ride despite being bleary-eyed from a late night of drinking and gambling with Edward.

However, a short night of sleep suited him as it provided less chance of nightmares. How he detested being jolted awake to the sound of gunfire in his dreams. He’d relived nearly every battle multiple times since his return home, almost always in the middle of the night. Older soldiers called it battle fatigue. Yet resting only seemed to make it worse.

James focused on the view, realizing he hadn’t ridden purely for pleasure since he’d come home. The beauty of the landscape soothed him. Deer grazed in a distant tree-lined meadow. He looked forward to the ride to come.

If only Charlotte wasn’t intent on courting trouble. Why hadn’t he simply told Edward what she was about? Surely her brother would be able to convince her of the folly of her plan, which would leave James out of it.

He’d only waited a few minutes when Charlotte rode into view with a groom in tow. She rode a gray mare with a black mane who appeared as eager for the ride as his roan. Her blue wool riding habit with a ruffled shirt made her skin glow. The clever matching hat held a large feather that bounced with each step of the horse. James suddenly appreciated the fact that riding habits no longer mimicked military uniforms and instead had shifted to something more feminine.

“Good morning.” Her bright smile caused his own lips to respond in turn.

“And to you.” He guided his horse alongside hers as they rode deeper into the park, her groom trailing behind.

“Though I question the urge to rise early to ride, once I arrive, I’m always pleased I did.” Her gaze swept over the expanse of grass and trees, a contented smile on her face.

James expected her to continue to fill the air with nonsensical chatter, but she remained silent as they rode. Only the soft thud of the horses’ hooves on the ground, the creak of their saddles, and the jingle of the reins met