What the Fates Decree: The Caversham Chronicles-The Titans of the Revolution Read online

  “Why would Olivia say she didn’t wish to marry him, and then give the impression that she cared about him leaving and being away for so long.

  “I also have questions,” Isabel mused. “But it would be considered ill mannered of me to ask directly.”

  Charlotte agreed. “Could it be that he is still on his mission, and is that why he hasn’t written to you?”

  “I was under the impression that he was to leave the country,” Penny said. “That he had to go somewhere to do this translation work for the government.”

  “Scotland is technically another country,” Charlotte added. “But what is he translating, Gaelic?”

  “His specialty is the various dialects of the Arab countries,” Penny said. “I was under the impression that his mission was very secret and dangerous. But that doesn’t explain—”

  “—What he’s doing with your cousin in Glasgow,” Charlotte finished.

  “Do you think if you went directly to Lady Adina,” Isabel said, “and asked her what brought Nathaniel to Rathcavan that she might tell you? It seemed to me that she knew much and intentionally divulged little.”

  “I got that same feeling, too,” Charlotte said. She thought about the countess’ treatment of her granddaughter, and added, “Did you get the impression that Lady Adina just… tolerates Lady Edgar and Olivia? She didn’t seem to take seriously Lady Edgar’s claim that Olivia and Mr. Santiago are betrothed. She deflected any mention of it later, during dessert.”

  “You are right, Charlotte,” Isabel said. “I don’t understand why she isn’t happier for her granddaughter’s betrothal to Mr. Santiago. Does she not find him an appropriate match?”

  “He’ll be arriving soon,” Penelope said, her voice cracking, which meant her friend was going to cry again. “What will I tell him? What if he really does wish to… marry… Olivia?”

  As her friend began to cry, Charlotte took the kerchief from her pocket and handed it to Penny.

  “He cannot possibly want to marry her Penny,” Isabel said. “I spoke with her, and she has a brain filled with goose feathers. All she spoke about was shopping, her season in Edinburgh, and how handsome Marcus is. She specifically said she was not fond of riding, and Mr. Santiago sits a horse like he was born on one.”

  “What on earth can they possibly have in common?’ Charlotte asked.

  “I know that I will have to participate in the festivities when they begin,” Penny said, “but until they do, I wish I could stay in my room.”

  “We haven’t yet told you about doctor Gowrey,” Isabel said.

  “Oh, Penny,” she tried to warn, suddenly remembering. “Lady Adina has asked him to come see you tomorrow if you are still ill.”

  “This doesn’t have to be a bad thing you know,” said Isabel. “The young doctor from Edinburgh is handsome. And Mr. Santiago just might realize what he’s passing up by remaining betrothed to goose feathers.”

  Penelope laughed—a nervous sounding titter—through the tears. This freed Charlotte to laugh, then Isabel.

  Before Charlotte left Penny’s room for her bed, she resolved that she would confront Mr. Santiago for the pain he caused her friend. He owed Penny an explanation, and an apology.

  And Charlotte was going to make sure he did both!