“You’ve forgotten the original scandal, the one that came about when I inadvertently allowed Lady Brindley to know your husband hasn’t consummated your marriage. And I should add that it is my own role in that sad business that is the only reason I will help you now. I owe you recompense for the damage I did you.”

Charlotte let her dimples flash, a sweet blush of maidenly innocence that she always found particularly effective pinkening her cheeks as she spoke. “Sweet Caro, I knew you couldn’t refuse me, although truly I do not blame you for that situation—Lady Brindley is just the sort of a woman who would stand about in a maze eavesdropping on people. Regardless, that bit of scandal is no more since Dare…well, you must take my word that it is no more.”

Caroline’s eyes brightened as she looked around them quickly to make sure they were not overheard. “Did he…?”

Charlotte, with practiced ease, urged the blush to darken as she modestly cast her gaze down to her hands. She nodded. “He did.”

“And was it…?”

“Perfectly splendid, as I knew it would be.”

Caroline breathed a happy sigh. “I’m so pleased for you, but must admit I’m a bit confused as well. Are you suggesting that you will create another scandal to draw attention away from the one regarding Mr. Geoffrey McGregor?”

“Exactly. You might not be the sharpest apple in the barrel, but you do have your wicks lit when it matters.”

“I…sharpest?” Caroline shook her head. “Char, I don’t understand why you would think creating another scandal is the solution to your problem. People will still be talking about you—if not because of the Geoffrey McGregor situation, then because of whatever new scandal you cause.”

“Don’t be a goose, Caro, I’m not going to start a scandal about myself. It will concern someone else.”

“Oh.” Caroline continued to look confused. “How are you going to do that? I can’t imagine anyone would care to have a scandal started about them. I know I should protest—dear Lord, you’re not planning on using me?”

“Would I do that?” Charlotte asked, allowing herself a small moue expressive of wounded feelings.

“If you thought it would serve you, quite probably you would.”

“Caroline Augusta Gwendlyspere! I would never deliberately engineer a scandal around you, and I am hurt and insulted that you would think otherwise.”

“I seem to recall someone not a hundred miles from here who, when we were both at Miss Bengyman’s School for Gentlewomen, used me as a scapegoat when she was caught climbing into the library window after midnight in the company of Ted the groom.”

“Oh, pish, that was the merest coincidence.”

“Coincidence? You told Miss Bengyman that I was spoony over Ted and that you were trying to stop me from eloping with him.”

Charlotte frowned. “Caro, sweet Caro, might I remind you of the serious problem at hand? I cannot possibly be expected to remember every little event in my life, so if we might return our attention to the present—”