Perfectly Flawed (20 page)

"I fear I may be delayed." Had she any knowledge
he'd postponed his departure on her account?

"Really?" Her reply implied interest, not regret, over
his setback.

"Over the past few days I have been occupied with
the repair of my curricle and arranging appropriate reimbursement to those who have been kind enough to
come to my aid. Only this afternoon have I realized an
unforeseen event that might detain me for far longer
than . . ." Philip drew in a breath, realizing the importance of the next fifteen minutes. His discussion with
Charlotte could alter his future, depending on the outcome.

"I wish you every success in finding an adequate
resolution, then. It would be a shame to delay you any
longer then need be."

There would be no shame in speaking honestly. He
had to declare himself, his affection to her. If by chance
Charlotte did not share his feelings ... It would not
matter. If he did not speak his mind, his heart, he had
no doubt it would be a lifelong regret.

In a mere half dozen strides he crossed with ease to
the center and lifted his quizzing glass to examine the
statue.

"I must say this statue has the most exquisite workmanship." He studied the marble with great care. "She
seems almost lifelike-as if she might step down from
her plinth at any moment "

Charlotte wondered why he had never gazed at her
that closely or examined her with similar interest. It was
as if he purposely paid her no notice when they were
together. She could not imagine why he should do such
a thing.

"Is she a relation?" he inquired. "Your-"

"Mother," Charlotte finished, easing onto the stone
bench, wishing he would sit beside her. "Her name was
Sarah"

"I imagine she was every bit as lovely as you" Sir
Philip pivoted from the statue to Charlotte. "I wonder if
she had experienced ..:

Charlotte gazed up at him. "What is it, Sir Philip?"

"I must confess, while I was in the village I heard
rather unflattering and unpleasant accounts regarding your-" Sir Philip stopped short of mentioning the details that were all too familiar to Charlotte. "I'm certain
the tales were completely unsubstantiated."

"Regarding me?" It had not taken long for word to
spread among the gentlemen. Muriel had been correct.

"Do you mind if I have a look for myself and form
my own opinion on the matter?" He waved his quizzing
glass in her direction.

"What is it you wish to examine?" She blinked at
him. Sir Philip proved not to be immune to the gossip,
in any case. Here he was now, asking to verify what
he'd heard for himself, and Charlotte wondered if he
would think any less of her to discover it true.

"I hope I am not being indelicate." He concealed his
polite cough with the back of his hand and moved closer
to the bench. "I hear tell you have a glass eye."

"Oh, that" Charlotte swallowed and looked away.
She had the distinct feeling she should not meet his gaze.

Sir Philip put his quizzing glass to his eye and leaned
near to better inspect hers, coming much closer to Charlotte than she felt comfortable. Her face warmed and
her heart raced. She had some difficulty drawing breath.

He wore no gloves, which gave Charlotte a chance to
study his long, slender fingers clasping the handle. All
that lay between them was the thin lens of his accessory. She stared straight ahead, allowing him to examine her eyes, the right one first, and then the left. Charlotte
forced herself to look away from him.

Moving from her right eye to her left, he brushed a
wayward strand of hair with his fingertips. It was merely a courtesy gesture, one to move the bothersome curl
from her face. In doing so, he accidentally touched her
cheek, which caused her to shiver at his contact.

"They are a most delightful blue, I must say." His voice
was soft, and she could hear a hint of a smile within.
"And if I were to hazard a guess, they are an exact color
match. They could not be more perfect!" He straightened, moving away from her. "I am astonished at the
miracles of glass that can be achieved nowadays. Do you
think having a glass eye bothers some of your suitors? I
can't imagine that it would matter. You've still got one
good one."

"I cannot say, sir," she replied, again not meeting his
gaze directly.

"Are you certain your eye is false? It appears quite
normal."

She had no choice but to convince him otherwise.
Charlotte focused on twitching her eye, moving it incrementally further to the right.

"Goodness. . . ," he remarked with concern, more
curious than frightened. "Your eye is ... ah ... gone a
bit off." He gestured to his left with his quizzing glass.

"Oh!" Charlotte blinked and thumped the side of her
head. "I beg your pardon; it does that on occasion."

"Amazing. Quite astonishing." He dropped to the
ground on one knee before her, with no apparent regard
to his apparel.

"Sir!" she cried out. "Take care, you shall certainly
ruin your-AH!" Charlotte recoiled but could not move far. Sir Philip had a firm hold of her right ankle. "What
do you think you are doing?"

"I was merely authenticating the rumor of your wooden
leg." He glanced at her and flashed a smile. "Appears to
be a hum, if you ask me."

"You could have inquired." She pushed against his
shoulder, wishing he would remove his hand from her
lower extremity. "At least requested permission before
taking liberties."

"Posing questions before making a questionable maneuver would eliminate the delightful surprise element."
Sir Philip finally released his hold of her ankle and then
moved to lean over her left shoulder.

"I must tell you that my conscience compels me to
speak my mind," he whispered into her left ear. "I must
confess how ardently I admire you."

"You care for me?" Charlotte could hardly believe
what he was saying. It was everything she wished to hear.

"How extraordinary!" Sir Philip proclaimed. "Another rumor proved erroneous. I'd heard you were deaf
in your left ear." He lifted his quizzing glass to regard
her appendage. "Couldn't hear a thing."

"Oh, do stop that " She slapped his hand, knocking the
accessory-which should have flown from him if not for
the ribbon tethering it to his neck.

He snatched her wrist and held it fast. Charlotte gasped
at the contact and stared at him, absolutely shocked at
his audacity at again touching her uninvited.

"I will admit you are a beauty, but it is not that which truly interests me. It matters not how many faults you
disclose, for the kindhearted, caring soul you possess is
a treasure true." He lowered himself onto the bench next
to her and continued, "I have heard how you had come
to the aid of the citizens of Bloxwich and Farmer Gilbert's
family in particular."

"Oh, that" Someone had had to intervene, for the family was in dire straits. Circumstances dictated that she
should act, for she had been present at that precise time.

"You are an amazing woman-and I find if I do not
control myself, I should take advantage of this opportunity that we are alone and kiss you," he murmured softly.

"I hardly think that gentlemanly conduct at all!" Charlotte said, shocked that he would even suggest it. What
type of a man was he? What kind of a lady did he think
she was to allow such behavior?

"Do you not feel anything for me? Perhaps you think
of me as one of your many suitors and no more. Someone
to be tested, sent on quests, and do your every bidding in
an effort to fetch your favorite savory, find a missing gewgaw, or perhaps cruelly tease for your sheer amusement"

"That is not true. I find you . . ." Charlotte finally
found the strength to meet his stare. How wonderful it
felt to finally tell him the truth. "You are more than acceptable, sir. It is only ... what if I were to allow every
gentleman who wanted to kiss me to do so?" She leaned
back to regard him at a more respectable distance but
could not move far. "I believe that would be most inappropriate, sir. Such activity should be reserved-only
allowed between a husband and wife."

"And why do you think I am here, my girl?" A slow
smile graced his lips. "I had heard you vowed to wed the
first gentleman to find you in the center of this maze.
Have I not done just that?"

"But how could you have known?" Charlotte could
not imagine how he had discovered it, but beyond that,
she realized that he wanted to marry her.

"There is not much which concerns you that remains
private." Sir Philip held her hand, drawing it close.

"You need not hold me to my promise, for I care more
for you than any other gentlemen, even if I had to choose
from all the men in England."

"Actually, I believe you did." Sir Philip brought her
hand to his face and pressed it to his cheek. "Will you
do me the honor, then, of becoming my wife?"

Yes, she thought, but could not manage to speak her
mind. Charlotte knew her opinion of Sir Philip was not
the only one that mattered.

"I do not know how I could accept when, I am sorry
to say, my sister Muriel does not care for you."

"Ah, yes, the irascible Lady Muriel. My task has been
arduous. Not only did I need to win your heart, I needed
to seek her approval first."

"She knows you are here?" Charlotte found it impossible to believe Muriel would ever consent to Sir Philip
turning his affection to Charlotte.

"You see, I secured directions from Lady Muriel herself." He released her hand to pull a folded piece of
paper from the pocket of his waistcoat. Unfolding it revealed a map drawn in pencil. "I imagine that would have proved more difficult than speaking to His Grace
for permission to pay my addresses."

Charlotte giggled into her hand. "Muriel can be difficult " But she was so happy! The map was by her sister's
hand, which meant Muriel must have approved of the
baronet.

"Now that we have your sister's blessing in regards to
our future, I would very much like to kiss you."

"Then, sir, I should have to accept, for I, too, wish
you to kiss me." Charlotte smiled and leaned toward
him for her reward.

"Ah!" he interrupted, stopping her progression.

"What's wrong?" She froze.

"Shall we wait until after we speak to His Grace or
do we dare cross the line of propriety and kiss before
we are even officially engaged?"

Sir Philip enveloped her hand with his own. His hand
felt warm, his touch tender, and he remained silent as if
debating the matter.

"I think not," he murmured after some thought. Sir
Philip lowered their clasped hands, stared into her face,
and smiled. "I care too much for you to endanger your
reputation. It will already come under scrutiny, as we are
presently unchaperoned."

He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. Charlotte
felt her knees weaken and realized she'd been struck
momentarily speechless.

"Let us seek out your father, shall we?" Sir Philip
helped her stand, tucked Charlotte's hand into the crook
of his arm, and led the way out of the maze. "You are aware once we emerge that we take the risk of having
litigious rumors being spread about us?"

"Rumors?" Charlotte giggled. "You better than anyone should know one cannot always believe everything
one hears"