Charlotte allowed her shoulders to slump just for a moment. As a solution to her troubles, self-pity clearly had failed; she hadn’t even impressed Caroline with her woeful situation. This called for a new tactic. Where pity did not answer, perhaps a tantrum would. Charlotte straightened her posture and smiled at her reflection. Why hadn’t she thought of this before? It was all Alasdair’s fault. If he hadn’t kissed the wits right out of her, she would have realized days ago that there was nothing like a good tantrum and show of temper to get results. Once everyone realized that she was serious about the appalling breach of manners Alasdair had planned on committing that very day, the situation would be righted to her satisfaction.

“I am not leaving this house. I refuse to go to the church, not because I have cold feet, not because I’m sick, and not because I’m breeding. Quite simply, my dear Caroline, I am not going to the church because I’m not getting married today,” Charlotte said with a happy smile, dimples dimpling madly. She waved away the maid who was tucking rose blossoms into a mass of curls crowning her head. “You may cease that, Clothilde. I have no need for a headful of flowers, not until Alasdair rectifies his mistake.”

“What do you mean you’re not getting married?” Caroline clutched her hands together. “Of course you’re getting married! You’re in your wedding gown. Dearest Algernon is below with the carriage to take us to the church where Lord Carlisle is awaiting you. You have a wedding breakfast scheduled! You must get married!”

“Dearest Algernon can dismiss the carriage because I’m not leaving the house. In fact, I refuse to leave your bedchamber. I’m sure it will be no trouble if I stay here until Alasdair comes to his senses.”

Caroline grabbed at the back of a rose damask chair and turned pale at the image of Charlotte in permanent residence. Dear heaven, she had to think, and think quickly! There must be some way to get Charlotte out of the house and into the arms of her betrothed, where she belonged. Caroline’s mind whirled madly as she tried to formulate persuasive arguments, calming platitudes, and soothing words. Unfortunately, her mind refused to cooperate. “Char, you’re being too unfair! You simply must realize that it’s unreasonable to cancel the wedding that you wanted, incidentally dragging me into your plans in order to achieve it, and making dearest Algernon agree to give you away, all because you are unhappy with the arrangements.”

Charlotte’s chin went up as she stood to face her friend. “The arrangements, as you well know, are not mine. They are his. He is the unreasonable one. He took them away from me when I insisted he could grind his economies into snuff and snort them.” She paced for a few moments before plopping down on an overstuffed armchair. “Well he can just enjoy his arrangements by himself because I’m staying right here. Please ring for some tea. And perhaps some biscuits or tarts or a jam cake or two. And toasted bread, lots and lots of toasted bread. It doesn’t matter what I eat now, I have no one to care if I get wide in the saddle.”