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

recognized Charlotte, he might very well inadvertently reveal her identity. The worry had him drawing a long, slow breath to steady himself.

But that was only if Edward actually saw her.

James had to make certain he didn't. He eased his hand behind his back and gestured toward the door, hoping that if Charlotte still stood there, she would take his hint and leave.

“Do you intend to join a game?” James asked Edward then shifted as if to look over the room. He glanced over his shoulder but didn't catch sight of Charlotte. Had she already left or was she standing out of sight?

“Perhaps. Did you come alone?” Edward asked.

James hesitated. If he said yes, Edward would wonder why he hadn’t asked him to join him. If he said no, Edward would want to know with whom he’d come. He chose a noncommittal reply. “I hoped to find you here.”

“Excellent.” Edward clapped James’ shoulder. “Then let us join a game and see how our luck is this evening.”

James nodded but didn't move. If Charlotte remained behind him, he wanted to keep her hidden until Edward’s attention was turned elsewhere. “What is your game of choice this evening?”

As Edward considered the various tables, James eased back, half expecting to bump into Charlotte, but felt nothing. He risked a glance over his shoulder and saw she was gone. A sweep of the room didn't reveal her anywhere. He wasn’t certain whether to be relieved or worried.

He hoped she'd returned to his carriage and instructed his driver to take her home. Surely she wouldn’t wait for him. Heaven forbid if he and Edward decided to leave and climbed into James’ carriage only to find Charlotte sitting inside. The concern nearly made him shudder.

His worry over her was getting the best of him. He had to make certain she was well. He moved closer to Edward. “I’ll return directly.”

“Where are you going?” Edward’s frown had him grasping for an answer.

“To advise my driver to go home. We’ll take a hackney when we leave here.”

Edward nodded, and James strode out of the establishment only to find his carriage gone and no sign of Charlotte.

The evening was going to be a long one. He wouldn't be able to relax until he knew she had arrived home unscathed. He returned to the card room and followed Edward to a table, his thoughts still on Charlotte.

This was the last outing he would take her on, no matter what she said to try to convince him otherwise. His nerves simply couldn’t take it.

~*~

Charlotte drew a relieved breath as she settled onto the tufted bench seat of James’ carriage while it rolled forward. That had been far too close. If Edward had recognized her... She couldn't bear to complete the thought. Both she and James would have had much to explain.

She’d considered waiting for James but thought it best if she returned home and sent the carriage back for him. Though his driver had hesitated at her request to return her to where he’d picked her up, he’d at last dipped his head in agreement.

Charlotte sighed as her nerves calmed, already missing James. She’d hoped they would be able to spend more time together than they had. But at least Edward hadn’t recognized her.

While she’d assuaged her curiosity about Madame Gaston’s, the evening had been nothing like she’d expected. She had yet to determine whether the fright caused by the close call made the outing worthwhile. How was she going to convince James to take her on another since this one had nearly ended in disaster?

But she need only think of marrying Lord Samuelson to be determined to go again, as long as it was with James.

~*~

James swayed slightly as he stared up at the window where a faint light shone. He was fairly certain that was Charlotte’s bedchamber window. The question was how certain was he? His luck had been good since their close call with Edward. He had the notes in his pocket to prove it.

His weight shifted again of its own accord, and he braced against a tree. He hadn't realized how much he'd had to drink until the hackney ride here. Sitting in the rocking vehicle had caused his head to spin.

He’d hoped a drink would dull the sharp edge of his concern over Charlotte, but perhaps he’d taken it too far. His thoughts had been consumed with whether some harm had befallen her. Had she made it home? His thoughts circled until he thought he’d go mad.

His efforts to convince Edward to call it a night early were to no avail. His friend insisted on playing at more than one gaming hell, declaring his luck had never been better. James won several hands as well which resulted in friends buying them both drinks. Too many, based on the way the scenery around him shifted alarmingly.

He had dropped Edward at his front door then pretended to drive away, only to rap on the roof of the hackney to request the driver to halt. The hackney waited down the street, but James couldn't go home until he knew all was well with Charlotte.

Did he dare try to find a way to lure her to the window? He shook his head, certain the idea was a terrible one. But that didn’t stop him from searching the ground for a small stone. Thank goodness the nearly full moon was visible this evening.

The faint light glowing in her window might be due to her maid still waiting up for her. Or perhaps Charlotte snuggled in her bed, reading.

The image of her wearing nothing more than a nightrail with her hair loose around her lodged firmly in his mind and stole his breath. He frowned at his inappropriate thoughts. Charlotte was his best friend’s younger sister. That meant he was more or less a second brother to her. Unfortunately, his feelings toward her were no longer brotherly.

He gave himself a mental shake. He wasn’t here to accost her, only