Three Schemes and a Scandal by Maya Rodale Page A

music from the orchestra … everything went away but James. She tried to read all the unspoken thoughts and secret desires that supposedly lurked in one’s gaze but she only concluded that she wanted him. And wanted him alone.
    “Well, I shall see you later this evening, Charlotte,” he murmured, squeezing her hand affectionately. Then he smiled. Then he winked. Winked!
    “Wait—” She reached out impulsively and clasped his hand. “I have saved the fourth waltz for you.”
    It was immensely forward to say such a thing. But she had to speak with him and a waltz ensured at least four minutes of conversation in which neither party could flee.
    There was also the small fact that she simply wanted to waltz with him.
    “I shall look forward to it,” he replied, not at all chastising her for such a brazen, unladylike order. That was why he was the man for her.
Hamilton House, the Ballroom
Specifically, Behind a Pillar
    James thought Charlotte looked beautiful tonight. Haughty, but vulnerable. Tortured but determined. Distracted. She probably suspected that a scheme was in the works—one instigated by someone else for a change. Namely, by him. It wasn’t every night that a man proposed and when a man was proposing to Charlotte not just any display of romance would do. No, one must have a touch of genius, be a bit devious …
    If Charlotte hadn’t suspected a scheme, she was about to.
    James watched from his discrete vantage point behind the pillar as Lady Tweetley approached, armed with information that he had supplied to Lady Roxbury who had passed it along to the necessary gossips.
    “Charlotte! Have you heard? George Coney is here! Tonight!” Lady Tweetley tittered before flitting off to spread this impossible news to each and every guest in attendance tonight.
    “That is impossible,” Charlotte said flatly. James grinned.
    “Is it?” Harriet mused. James’s smile vanished. It had been tricky involving Harriet for he worried how she would hold up under the strain of keeping secrets from Charlotte. But in the end, it had been essential to his plan. Someone had to make sure that Charlotte was escorted to the west drawing room while guests all shuffled off to the east drawing room.
    “Of course it’s impossible. You know as well as I do that George Coney doesn’t exist,” Charlotte said matter-of-factly. She twirled a lock of hair around her finger and he could practically see the machinery in her brain working.
    The point of the gossip was for Charlotte to anticipate something. Anticipation was key.
    However, there was also the problem of Harriet’s nerves fraying under the pressure of Charlotte’s ruthless and relentless logic.
    “Perhaps there is an impersonator!” Harriet burst out.
    Charlotte’s expression was skeptical. And then the two girls were interrupted by the arrival of Lady Talleyrand and Lady Inchbald.
    “Lady Charlotte! Perhaps you can help us. We are so keen to hear George Coney read from his book, The Hare Raising Adventures of George Coney . Where might we find the library?”
    “Oh, no,” interrupted Lord Derby. “He’s reading in the east drawing room.”
    “It was in one of the drawing rooms, I think,” Lady Inchbald said.
    “No, the library!” yet another guest interrupted.
    “Was it in the west drawing room or the east drawing room?” Lady Talleyrand mused. “It was one of the two. Or perhaps the north. I just cannot recall.”
    James didn’t give a damn where these people went at midnight when George Coney was expected to “read.” However, it was above all absolutely essential and imperative that Charlotte be in the west drawing room at midnight and that no one else be present.
    Harriet, poor Harriet. It was her job to ensure just that.
    To assist herself in that endeavor, she had written west drawing room on her palm. He had watched her do it.
    James now watched her surreptitiously attempt to remove her glove so that she might discretely glance at the answer