The Charmer

gement, Wed

p owners opened their shops and exchanged gossips with the servants who then went home to deliver a slightly different version of the story to the scullery maids and

livered to the doorsteps, everyone around the table had an inkling of its contents. The stories delivered by eve

t believed it was inhumane. Well, the wives believed so at least

mself merely a few days before. He very much publicly announced the end of his engagement to one f

t had seen. One would think she would be the first to throw Agatha Blair out of the estate, but no! She welcomed the chit with open arms and planne

y Victoria Ashdown and her stepmo

ood-for-nothing, self-absorbed, righteous gentries of Wic

nort. Her stepmother just perfectly described herself. "I must admit, stepmother, tha

he Everards are our dear friends! You are best friend to Margaret, or have you forgotten that? And whatever scandal might come to them, th

she murmured as she looked around the ballroom

was

I see Margaret," she lie

t walk awa

not think I will need a chaperone," she said over her

w Margaret Everar

ught. She did not

*

unded by the crowd that he had once loved and charmed. Not many years ago, he liv

the very reason why he was enduring this bloody ball. Benedict, the fool, had decided to make a scandal. It was not Agatha Blair's fault, of cour

they were still without doubt among the most, if not the only, affluent families in Wickhurst. Marrying one of the five Everard brothers

ride and pray for their family's name be finally out of the Herald's front pages. His sisters, Ysabella and Emma, were yet to be m

g her daughter toward his direction. It was instinct that made Levi to

a blonde lady and it was then that he dec

ma was still dragging her daughter and they would no doubt reach Levi soon to present her well-pampered doll for him to consider make an offer. "Her debts are growing by the day and she is

r a moment, Levi forgot about the mama and her daughter as his green eyes met the most in

they we

s?" he vaguely heard his si

nued to stare at the eyes of the woman standing beside him. They blinke

voice said as she

s throat. Who the de

e would gladly explore them with his fingers should he be given a chance. Mayhap th

great deal of recognition and familiarity. He started to frown. When a faint

e turned to his scowling sister an

ned as the lady beside h

Levi," Tori said, her voice n

ire he felt just moments ago, slowly dissipat

been momentarily charmed by a woman who was practically his

ri said with a jesting tone. "Have I gro

aw her? How was that possible when

. Of course, he had not seen her for that long. But surely, it was not possible

to finish t

ecided to say instead, "but

nce?" Marg

e of another or two," he e

see who he might refer to, her bare arm, the part

hout a woman, that's all it was, he reasoned.

ter

sis

stay the many nights with Margaret when she was merely ten and he was fifteen! He sa

same girl who admit

would consider dry. In truth, Levi believed, her humor had merely always been too deep that anyone who might laugh at them could be considered a pe

ied him was also the time she called

the most of all, having been u

him. "And I do see the twins from across the room, talking with the Haver

e are discussing a very sensitive topic,"

w. "You mean to say

ch," Tori snapped. "We have two more

ith a scowl. "Always my pleasure to irate you so, ladies," he said with a bow as he retreated. "Jus

toward his youngest siblings, he could not help but wonder what Margaret and

times he could no longer cou

*

f Benedict Everard and Agath

Tori would no longer bother with now that the wedding had finally arrived,

. She had not seen him since the ball and now, ever since she had arrived with her stepmother who situat

hispered, her eyes staring straight at Benedict's sca

reath, his eyes directed at his brother and Agatha as well. "To stand or sit or be anywhere nea

ugh when a few heads turned. Margaret was sitting bes

after all?" she asked him. "One look at your

g your own betrothal soon?" he inquired, slightly turni

Well, yes, as a

startled by her r

es

wh

n I'd rather not think about at this moment.

and he faced her fully. Tearing her eyes off Bened

led with scars, Levi's was naught but...well, glorious. No man ought to have such face, really. It would lead to many disasters. Even after many years of having been around him while they were growing up and even after seeing

ou are talking about?" She

d back at Levi. "The first one is still the man I do not wi

with disbelief. "Yo

e looked on at Benedict Everard and Agatha Blair, both soon

d her stepmother better be ready

*

aret to drag him inside the parlor for tea and trapped

bout to be a part of a plan, one d

ot have much time before stepmother will question my absenc

d be coming for a family dinner to welcome Benedict and Agatha from their honeymoon. And I did expect

ur help," Marg

bout Margaret's way of talking was very effective,

ue dress hugged her body, or how it allowed for some parts of it to show in a very interesting way. "I was just informed by my chambermaid that

nephew for your inheritance?" Margaret

ecause she is my legal guardian unti

feeling both

d. "And if you choose

re the engagement is announced. She has not said a

ret uttered after a while, n

rfectly so, as a matter of

stared at him as though he was Mr. Jones himself coming down fr

course!" Marg

over, but to find her a husband? She had been to countless seasons and had not found one. How could she find one now? "As you may have failed

d most of them bachelors still. Gather

but useless bastards, he thought, before he answered,

er than marry my stepmother's nephew. You have seen him aroun

m of a human being," Marg

to help, but I cannot promise anything. Most eligible bachelors prefer a younger wife." He was utterly glad he was

d someone who will accept someone at eight and tw

knight in shining armor

y not th

about blissful marriages week

re before she spends all my fortune. He does not have to be wealthy. In fact, I'd rath

e unmarried," L

say yes before," Tori snapped back, t

ion to your problem, Tori. We do not have time to spend with the t

uctantly agreeing to the plan. "If you

t stolen from him. Had she always ha

provide me with a

Levi aske

, of course. I need a list of

e not out shopping. Why wo

ked to the door. "I do hope you all enjoy your family dinner." She

's smiling face. "Bloo