Chapter 2: About those rumors…

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Hmm...

The story continues! Lady Charlotte and James are still at the ball, where The Tattooed Duke himself is causing a scene and our dear heroines is prying "the truth" about those rumors from James. Or trying to.

Missed chapter one? Click here to read it. Wondering what's going on here? I'm writing a chapter a week of an original romance novella, and incorporating suggestions from readers. Choose your own romance, kittens!

 

~Chapter Two: About those rumors…~

 

The rumors were absolutely, categorically and completely false. James did not return to London to take a wife. He had returned as an agent of the crown on a mission: investigate claims that Lord Montrose sought to assassinate King George IV. Lord Montrose was notoriously reclusive, possibly mad. However, he did have a daughter on the marriage mart.

Hence the rumors regarding James's Great Wife Hunt.  It was the best way to gain close, unsuspicious access to his suspect.

Would it be worse to allow Charlotte to think he sought a bride or to know that he was a spy?

James was spared from answering by a most shocking turn of events

"Lady Shackley just slapped Tattooed Duke clear across his face!" Charlotte exclaimed gleefully. She grinned and pressed her palm to her cheeks. And then she remembered he was there. In fact, her hand still rested on his sleeve.

"I beg your pardon," she said, recovered her manners. "You were saying something. Something that had nothing to do with the outrageously ill-bred—and thus marvelously entertaining—behavior I just witnessed."

"I was not," James said quickly.

"You were saying something about taking a wife," she reminded him.

"No, you were, Lady Charlotte," James corrected. She sighed impatiently.

"James. We both know that I shall uncover all and any secrets. You might spare us both a spot of bother if you'd just tell me."

"Fine. I'm looking for a wife," he ground out. It was the lesser of two evils.

Lady Charlotte's eyes narrowed. No gentleman in his right mind ever uttered that sentence, particularly in the company of an unmarried miss. It was akin to sharing the combination on a safe containing a fortune in gold.

"My congratulations on your impending nuptials," Charlotte said with the particular smile he identified as wicked scheme developing in the warped brain of Lady Charlotte. "Given that you've been out of town for so very long, I shall help you identify some possible candidates for Mrs. Archer-Rhodes. Call on me tomorrow, James. I shall have a list of names for you."

Important question: who is on Lady Charlotte's Select List of Candidates For The Position Of Mrs. Archer-Rhodes?

Can you suggest names and/or personalities?  (Wallflower? Total diva? Close talker? Obsessed with puppies?) Let's make this outrageous!