The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 803

From Lavinia’s point of view, here’s what she saw.

Anthony was sitting on the sofa. Charlotte, slender and graceful, was straddling his lap, leaning in with her hands on his shoulders. Even though Anthony had his arms around her, it was obvious Charlotte was the one in charge.

The second they heard a noise, they both looked up at the same time.

When Anthony saw who was at the door, his eyebrows pinched together, and he didn’t bother hiding that he was annoyed. Charlotte had finally worked up the nerve to be bold with him…

Snapping out of it, Charlotte felt her cheeks burning. She was still deciding if she should get up when Lavinia’s voice came from the doorway.

“I knocked so many times. I guess you didn’t hear me.”

Anthony let out a sigh, his brow creasing. He gently pressed Charlotte’s face against his chest and patted her back, like he was shielding her from embarrassment. “Mom, is something wrong?”

Lavinia tried to play it cool, backing out of the room with a nervous laugh. “I just came to call you both for dinner. If you’re busy, it’s fine, really. Take your time, no rush at all.”

She closed the door behind her, a little too considerately.

As soon as she left, Anthony glanced down at Charlotte. She was still hiding in his arms, her cheeks bright red. He patted her head, grinning. “Getting shy now? Where did that wild side from a minute ago go?”

Charlotte shot him a look, a playful pout on her lips.

Anthony chuckled, pinching her cheek with his fingers before leaning in closer. “Lottie, do you want to keep going?”

Keep going?

Charlotte stared at him, a little dazed. Before she could say anything, Anthony slipped his hands under her and lifted her right up. He brushed his nose against hers, his voice soft. “Let’s eat.”

He carried her downstairs. Right before they reached the living room, Charlotte finally wriggled out of his arms, her face still a little pink.

***

On the way home, Charlotte leaned against him, absentmindedly scrolling through her tablet.

“Don’t you want to know what Lavinia said to me?” Anthony asked, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger as he watched her play her game.

“Hm?” Charlotte looked up, her curiosity sparked.

Anthony’s lips curled into a smile. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper right by her ear. “She told me not to bully you.”

Charlotte’s cheeks heated up again. If anyone was doing the bullying, wasn’t it her?

“Lottie.” Anthony drew out her name, squeezing her fingers gently as he watched her face. “Do you like kids?”