The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

09

Chapter 9

The Viscount and the American were raging at each other. With an irritated growl she grabbed her skirts and started up the stairs before they killed each other. She was halfway up to the landing when the viscount lunged.

The American tumbled backward down the steps, crashed against the rail and fell into an unmoving heap at her feet. He moaned and her heart began to beat again, relieved that Freddie hadn't killed the man.

"I'm alright." The American chuckled as she helped him to his feet. "I've got a thick skull. It will take more than a tumble down the steps to break it open."

"Well, that's a relief." She smiled as he swayed and leaned on her.

"You will unhand that young woman at once, you-you American buffoon!" His lordship roared as he charged down the steps.

His eyes burned into her and fear tickled her spine. With a gulp she took a step back.

"Careful Toff." Reggie growled forcing himself into the space as he gently moved Em behind him. "I'm an American remember? I'll not think twice about pounding your titled ass into the ground."

The viscount growled and stepped forward as he raised his fist. Em shoved Reggie out of the way, which wasn't difficult since he was still a bit unsteady on his feet. Freddie barely managed to withdraw his punch.

"Shame on you!" she scolded. "Both of you! Do you imagine Lady Bentfield would be pleased by this? With either of you?"

"She's right. My apologies, your lordship." Reggie ground out before he hurried down the stairs.

Em turned to the viscount.

"Freddie?"

"That's your lordship to you." He growled and deliberately knocked her with his shoulder as he passed.

She bit her cheek to stifle a cry as her hip jammed hard into the rail.

That will bruise.

Em had no idea how long she stood there staring after them before she heard the door and turned to see the doctor poke his head out into the hall.

"Ah, good. She's asking for you." He said before he disappeared back into the room leaving the door ajar.

---

Aunt Abby was gone. Final services were in the morning. Exhausted, Em sat in the kitchen with Alice and Cook. She longed for her pillow, but these were her friends. She forced her attention back to the conversation.

"Her ladyship's family is an old and wealthy one. Her wealth has been passed from mother to daughter for several generations. It's a pity there is no daughter to continue the tradition. I suppose it will all go to his Lordship."

"But there was a daughter-of sorts." Em held up her hand to stop the protests and added with a knowing smile. "Her ladyship arranged to leave her personal fortune and all of her jewels that are not part of the entail to her goddaughter."

"Oh!" Cook cried.

"Oh!" Alison echoed.

Em felt her loss deeply as she shared what Aunt Abby revealed to her before she died.

"I loved her so much. I honestly never knew. That she was my godmother. About her fortune. Any of it." Em sniffled as she finished sadly, swiping at the tears on her cheek.