“Annulment?” Dewhurst said. He did not look surprised by the suggestion, and Charlotte wondered if he hadn’t expected this. Not that he would need an annulment as they weren’t actually married, but he must have considered that the suggestion would arise. Charlotte half hoped he would take it. The more she was around him and his kith, the more meager that one thousand dollars seemed.
“Annulment on what grounds?” Dewhurst asked. “We’re both of age and there are no previous impediments.”
“I see,” his mother said. “Perhaps we might apply on the grounds that you could not—ah, perform? We could—”
Dewhurst rose. “Do not say it, Mother. Out of the question.”
Charlotte exchanged a look with Lydia, who appeared equally bewildered. “Could not perform what?” Charlotte asked.
“It is not a consideration,” Dewhurst repeated.
“Freddie, what is that stain on your breeches?” Lydia asked.
“I poured coffee on him,” Charlotte explained.
“Whatever for?”
“A small argument. He was getting too worked up.”
Dewhurst’s mother gasped, and Dewhurst said,
“I was not. That is not what she means.” Charlotte snorted. “That is exactly what I mean. Lady Dewhurst, I’m sorry to say it, but your son has a very hard head.”
The woman merely stared at her, mouth agape.
Stubbornness was not a pleasant trait, but Charlotte did not think it would upset his mother quite so much. “What I mean is,” she began, “that he thinks I will kneel before him whenever—”
“Enough!” Dewhurst roared just as the dining room door swung open again and Addy marched inside, trailed by an irate-looking Wilkins.
“Miss Charlotte!” Addy hollered so loudly it caused Charlotte to flinch. “This here man is mighty confused, and I have had enough. Get your things. We are going home.”
Charlotte rose. “But Addy—”
“That’s right,” Wilkins said. “Run away, you she-devil. That will teach you to dare touch my iron and cravat starch.”
Addy rounded on the small, pale man, who skittered back a step. “I don’t know what you are talking ’bout, and I don’t care. That maid Hester is worthless, so I was forced into pressing Miss Charlotte’s underthings. Her stays—”
“Addy! We have company,” Charlotte said, grabbing Addy’s hand. “This is Lord Dewhurst’s mother and sister.”
“Eek!” Wilkins stumbled backward. “Lady Dewhurst, Miss Dewhurst, I cannot begin to apologize enough. Please accept my humblest, my most fervent, my sincerest—”
“Oh, stubble it, Wilkins,” Dewhurst muttered.
“My lord!” the valet cried. “What has happened to your breeches? You must remove them at once.”
“Good idea, Wilkins.” He grasped Charlotte’s hand. “Come wife, you still have a lesson to learn.”
Before she could argue, he yanked her out of the room, Wilkins and Addy followed, while his mother yelled, “Freddie, do not touch her. Remember you must prove impotent for the annulment!”
Chapter Seven
Freddie plowed through the house, tugging Charlotte in his wake. “Wilkins,” he barked at his valet, who was scampering up the stairs behind them. “I do not wish to be disturbed the rest of the afternoon. No.” He stopped suddenly and Charlotte collided with him. “The rest of the week.” He looked at his wife meaningfully. “We have work to do.”
He might not relish spending even one more moment in his wife’s company, but he needed her to capture Pettigru. There were worse assignments than squiring a colonist about and pretending to be smitten by her. He couldn’t think of any at the moment, but he was certain there had to be worse.
“Work to do. Yes, my lord,” Wilkins wheezed, finally reaching the top of the stairs. “But we must change your clothes. If I do not see to that stain immediately—”
“Dash the bloody stain, Wilkins!” Freddie dragged Charlotte along the corridor until they reached his room, then he burst in, surprising a maid who was tidying the bed. “Out,” he said, and she scurried past Wilkins, almost knocking the slight man over.
