Anger dripped through her. Were none of her sons worth the effort she’d expended in their behalf? Fools, every one! She’d been counting on Rupert to woo that red-haired harridan away from Greyley, and what had he done but force the issue. The earl was more infatuated than ever, even to the point of trying to trick Charlotte into crying off.

Lady Putney’s mouth thinned. She would have something to say to that. Within a remarkably short time, she was in a carriage and on her way to Melton House.

Charlotte pressed her hands to her heated cheeks, trying to comprehend what she’d been told. “It cannot be true.”

Lady Putney’s overpainted face softened with seeming sympathy. “It’s true, my dear. I shouldn’t have told you, but I thought you had the right to know.”

Charlotte swallowed, aware of a sinking feeling in the region of her stomach. Her parents had lost their entire fortune, every last pence? It seemed impossible. But here was Lady Putney, who was not only one of Mama’s dearest friends, but also her beloved Rupert’s mother, telling her the facts as she knew them.

At the thought of Rupert, Charlotte clenched her hands before her. “It’s hard to believe. My father was just talking of purchasing some additional lands.”

“He probably will, once he has the money Greyley has promised.”

Charlotte’s gaze flew to Lady Putney’s. “What money?”

Lady Putney shook her head sadly. “They didn’t tell you about that, either? I vow, but I could pinch your mother for her stubbornness. She didn’t want to worry you, which I’m sure is to her credit, but still…” She sighed.

Charlotte placed a trembling hand to her forehead. Her mind whirled with the information Lady Putney had given her—her mother had overspent on the household expenses, their man of business had made some imprudent improvements on the estate, her father had made some poor investments…Charlotte suddenly remembered that her father had seemed in an ill mood lately, which she had attributed to all the talk of the wedding, for Mama seldom spoke of anything else. Now his moodiness took on a far more horrible meaning.

Lady Putney looked about the sitting room with a sad gaze. “It will be difficult seeing someone else in this dear house. I shall always think of you when I come.”

Tears welled in Charlotte’s eyes. “The house—” She could not say it.

Lady Putney seemed to suddenly realize the depth of Charlotte’s distress, for she took Charlotte’s hands in her own. “Oh, my dear! Forget I said anything about it. I’m sure something will occur to right your family fortune. Perhaps even—wait. What am I thinking of? Your marriage to Greyley will fix everything!”

Charlotte’s hands curled into fists, her nails biting into the tender flesh of her palms. For the last two days she’d been trying to find a way to tell Mama that she had no wish to marry Greyley. For the first time in her life she was in love, and she wanted Rupert or no one.