Chapter Four: Competition For Our Heroine!

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The story continues! Charlotte and James are calling upon Miss Leona Montrose–but is he looking for a wife or is there another more nefarious reason? Hmm…New to this novella? Forget what happened last week? Check out chapters one, two, three.

We debated betwixt a dark haired hero or a blonde one. The votes were split and I'm deciding in favor of blonde as tribute to particular hero I just happen to know (XOXO, baby!).

~Chapter Four~

They could hear the cacaphony from the front door step. Charlotte cast a wary eye at James, taking in his dark blonde hair with just the faintest curl, and his tall and lean but muscular frame. He glanced over and caught Charlotte's eye and smiled, revealing a crooked grin and just one dimple. When, Charlotte wondered, had he become so…so…so…knee weakeningly handsome.

More importantly, when did she start thinking inane things like knee weakeningly handsome? Good lord.

James knocked on the door again. It would be a marvel if anyone could hear the rap of the doorknocker about the din of the most discordant and horrendous piano playing in the history of…music. Or sound.

Finally, a grim faced butler answered and showed them to the library where Miss Leona Montrose waited, seated upon a faded green velvet settee with a stack of books beside her.

"Miss Montrose," James said warmly after Charlotte had performed the introductions. Miss Leona  smiled shyly in response. James then kissed Miss Leona's hand, lingering far longer than was necessary or proper and Charlotte thought No. No. No.

She suspected she might want knee weakingly handsome James to herself after all. After she had made that wretched list and introduced him to the most beautiful bluestocking in London.

"I shall ring for tea," Miss Leona said. She did just that.

"Perhaps we should invite your father to join us?" Charlotte suggested. Nothing like a madman to minimize the romance.

"Excellent idea, Charlotte," James murmured and she felt a rush of pleasure.

"Indeed. He can't very well play the piano whilst taking tea with us in the library."

They made polite chatter about the weather–it was a perfectly fine day–until Lord Montrose ceased his musical endeavors, using the term musical loosely of course, and joined them for tea. James and Leona carried on a charming conversation in which they discovered they both enjoyed reading ______ , they both took their tea with _______ , shared a common fear of _______ and a mutual love of ________.

Charlotte sipped her tea trying to ignore a wretched, sinking feeling in her stomach. James and Leona were getting along marvelously. She tried not to appear very sullen or glum or otherwise give herself away. She was forced to set all that aside and make polite chatter with Leona and her father when James excused himself for a moment.

Where did James go? Next week, dear readers…  

In the meantime, fill in those blanks!