Free Gamble With Hearts by Hilary Gilman

doing?’
    ‘Nothing, Charlotte , go on!’ replied the Viscount, advancing.
    ‘Keep away from me or I'll—’
    ‘What will you do?’ he asked, his hands touching her shoulders and gently caressing her neck.
    ‘Oh, Charles,’ she breathed, and lifted her face to be kissed. Her arms slid around his neck as he crushed her to him, his mouth bruising hers. Charlotte had never been kissed before like this. She knew that a lady should never permit it, but still she felt that if he were to stop she would die. He was kissing her neck and bare shoulders now, murmuring her name as he pressed her close to him. Then, quite suddenly, he pulled away from her. He strode over to the fireplace and leaned against it, breathing heavily.
    Charlotte dropped into her chair and buried her head in her hands.
    ‘Charlotte, my darling, I'm sorry. I should never have— I've frightened you, haven't I? But, my sweet, I'm so in love with you that I don't know what I'm doing. I promise not to do it again until we are married.’
    ‘Frightened? Charles, how could I ever be afraid of you! But you see, we are not going to be married. That is what is so hopeless. We cannot ever be together, my darling, and I love you so very much. What are we to do?’
    ‘You mean, you won't marry me? But Charlotte, why not? You are not going to tell me that Ruthin was right!’
    ‘Ruthin!’ exclaimed Charlotte . ‘What has he to do with us?’
    ‘Nothing. He warned me, however, that you were bent on marrying a fortune. I didn't believe him. Charlotte , you couldn't!’
    ‘Charles, you do not understand. I promised Mama that she should be comfortable. She had such a wretched time after Papa died, I could see how unhappy and worried she was. This seemed the only solution. I never dreamed that I would fall in love like this. I've never have before, and I used to believe that I never would. That is why I suggested the scheme. You see we sold everything we possessed, even Mama's annuity, just so that I could have one season. If I fail Mama will have nothing!’
    ‘Damn it, Charlotte , I'm not a dashed pauper. I can support a wife and any number of in-laws too. My own mother lives off the estate comfortably enough!’
    Charlotte gazed at him in amazement. ‘But Aunt Letty said that you had nothing but a pile of debts. She said you could not possibly support us both!’
    The Viscount snorted ‘What she meant is that you could set your sights a lot higher than me. Perhaps you could, but if you love me and we can be comfortable together, why should you?’
    ‘Why indeed? Oh, I could kill Aunt Letty! I have been so unhappy these last few days and it is all her fault. Mama would have given us her blessing days ago but for her.’
    ‘Then you will marry me, sweetheart?’ demanded Carlington, anxiously.
    Smiling, she held out her arms to him. ‘Of course I will, Charles. I do not know how I could ever have doubted it!’

SIX
     
     
    Miss Wrexham and Carlington were agreed that it would be unkind as well as unnecessary to announce their engagement that night. Charlotte could picture only too well her Aunt's shocked reaction, and she had no desire to bring down that wrath upon her head any sooner than was absolutely necessary. They were, therefore, to keep their secret until Charlotte 's total lack of interest in her other suitors should have convinced her relative that the Viscount's suit should be reconsidered.
    They parted, therefore, in the library and, while Miss Wrexham returned dreamily to the ballroom, the Viscount left the house. He was feeling far too elated, however, to return home. He decided instead to look in at Watier's. He had, in the first flood of happiness, promised Charlotte that he would eschew heavy gambling, but it would do no harm, he reasoned, merely to watch the play and exchange a few words with his intimates.
    He entered the card room to find most of his cronies already assembled. One or two had also been present at Lady Northwood's Ball