Chapter 4
The following day, I was at the theater with Jane, enjoying a private box, when Edward and Melanie decided to gatecrash my afternoon.
Melanie trailed behind Edward, her eyes puffy and red.
"Today, I just want to clear things up with you, Lady Charlotte," Edward said, his gaze dark and fixed on me. "A few days ago, I asked my mother's maid to replace the silk cord on the locket.
"Melanie happened to see it and took a fancy to it, and my mother, acting on her own authority, gave it to her as a gift. Melanie had no idea it was our betrothal token.
"I had been buried in work at the Ministry of War, coordinating the campaign against the northern rebels, and simply hadn't the time to retrieve it from my mother. I only learned of this misunderstanding upon my return last night."
I fluttered my lace fan leisurely.
Melanie bowed, putting on a grand show of repentance. "I beg your forgiveness, Lady Charlotte. The ladies of the ton look down upon me for my low birth.
"I only flaunted the locket so they might see how much Edward and Lady Payne dote on me. It was never my intention to step on your toes."
"Please, rest assured. Though I am of illegitimate birth, I have too much pride to ever be a mere mistress. Do not let my blunders sour your feelings for Edward and his mother."
With that, she prepared to slap herself on the face.
I stopped her with my fan before she could do it. "Are you quite certain you wish to take the entire fall for this, my dear?"
Melanie was a bore and a fool, but I had no particular desire to see her dead. However, one could not save a girl who was hell-bent on her own destruction.
She cast a fleeting, nervous glance at Edward before nodding with determination.
"Very well. We shall let the matter of the locket slide," I said calmly. "However, you first donned a bridal gown reserved for royalty.
"Then, you caused a scene with your theatrics at the princess' gala before fleeing the assembly without so much as a word of leave-taking.
"Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, but three times is a pattern of treason. To insult a princess and mock the crown carries a sentence of exile to the colonies with no hope of pardon."
"Charlotte!" Edward interjected. He was trying to play a tactical game of retreat to gain the upper hand later, but I have always had a low tolerance for fools who think themselves masterminds.
"I brought Melanie here to mend fences." He lowered his voice.
I gave a faint smile. "Mr. Payne, you do not hold the rank required to call me by my name. Furthermore, you and Ms. Sutton made a spectacular mess of the princess' gala yesterday."
The princess was the crown's only daughter and most precious jewel. She was the only woman in the history of the realm permitted to maintain her own estate and independent guard. Her influence was rivaled only by the Crown Prince himself.
If the Princess hadn't decided to stay out of my business with Edward, she would have had him and his mother punished yesterday.
I watched Edward's hands slowly clench into fists. He knew that he could not afford to play with fire when it came to the princess or the queen.
"I can sway the other ministers," Edward said slowly. "I will ensure they stop blocking the princess' proposal for the Women's Regiment. I will see to it that the Ministry of War provides the funding and the armory."
It was a start, though barely enough to settle the score.
I set my fan down. "See that there is no next time."