“Well, then, that’s cause for a smile, my dear, not a frown. Where is the party to be?”
“Manchester Square.” What had prompted this sudden inclusion? Why had Charles not convinced Katherine to exclude her from the invitation list? Did he think that would rouse suspicion, after all this time? He certainly could not want her to attend.
“Worried about Anne, are you?” John Taylor asked. “Do not be. I shall watch over her myself.”
“You are very kind.”
What would it be like to see Edmund after all this time? Could she go and satisfy herself with a glimpse or two, or would the seeing only reignite the burning desire for more contact with him?
Perhaps it was better to stay away.
“You have not had any entertainment in far too long, Miss Charlotte. You go and enjoy yourself. I shall pay for the hansom myself. I insist upon it.” He beamed at her, and she felt she had little choice but to agree.
“When is the party to be?” he asked.
She looked again at the invitation. The date readFriday the 7th.
“On Saturday,” she answered.
When Charlotte arrived, Katherine was reclining on the settee, one hand on her forehead, the other on her rounded abdomen. She glanced over at her guest before again closing her eyes.
“The party was yesterday, Charlotte,” she said dully.
“Yes, I know.”
“Forgive me for not standing to greet you. I am perfectly exhausted. I overdid yesterday—Charles is quite put out with me for it. This time is worse than the last. I suppose that means it is a girl. How was your lying-in with Anne?”
“Actually, Anne is not—”
“I am sorry you could not attend the party, Charlotte,” Katherine interrupted. “What a to-do it was. Edmund was quite beside himself. Too many presents and too much cake. Went to bed with a tummy ache. And he’s to have a pony when we return to Fawn-well besides.”
“How exciting.”
“Mrs. Harris came to town for the party, but she looked very ill indeed. What a wretched hat she wore. Oh, and William was here with his new wife—Amanda or Althea or something. I forget.
Had you heard he married? I had thought he would marry you or your sister, and here neither one of you has wed. I must say Bea looked positively grim-faced upon seeing the two of them here together.”
“Bea was here?”
“Yes. I suppose I hoped to throw the two of you together—force a reconciliation. Is that why you did not come—had you gotten word Bea planned to attend? I suppose your Aunt Tilney let it slip... .”
“I had not heard, actually.”
Katherine rang a little bell beside her. “Celia!” she called. “Do bring me some ice, would you?” Then to Charlotte she explained, “It seems to help my headaches.”
“Is ... Edmund here?” Charlotte asked, palms damp. “I have a gift I hoped to give him.”
“Oh ...” Katherine waved her hand vaguely in the air before returning it to her forehead. “He’s about the place somewhere. Do be a dear and find him, will you? My physician says I should keep off my feet as much as possible.”
“Of course. I hope you feel better soon.”
Charlotte walked out of the sitting room just as a maid was rushing up the stairs with an ice bucket.
“Have you seen Edmund?” she asked the girl.
“No, ma’am. But you might try the nursery upstairs.”
“Thank you.”
