“Yes, clearly, it was nothing to worry about. A touch of overdoing it, I expect,” she nodded.
“You certainly dove into the preparations for the Duchess of Devon’s summer fete with both feet. You were practically running the whole thing by the end. Mama was very impressedwith the letter Her Grace sent to you expressing her gratitude for your hard work.”
Charlotte wanted to gape. Amelia had not mentioned this in any correspondence. She felt a pang of envy. Amelia had made a life for herself among the society of London and was clearly successful. Charlotte’s life in Yorkshire was far quieter and more reliant on the goodwill of Uncle Henry and Aunt Judith for her living.
Why would Amelia want to switch places with me? She has everything she could want. She has quite left me behind...
“What was it you wanted, Reginald? I have an appointment shortly for afternoon tea at the Earl of Tewkesbury’s house,” Charlotte said.
“It was… something of a delicate matter. I…”
“Is it about Victoria?” she asked, deciding to take the bull by the horns. “I have not had an opportunity to speak to her…”
“No, of course you haven’t,” he chuckled awkwardly. “You mentioned an appointment for a new hat fitting next week. I did not expect you to speak to her until then. No, it is not that, at least notdirectly.”
Charlotte felt sympathy for him. He was a gentleman who had always been amiable and genuine. His sisters seemed more prickly towards Amelia, which Charlotte knew may be caused byjealousy over Amelia’s social success. She glanced at the clock and suppressed impatience, waiting for Reginald to spit it out.
“It is the…moneysituation. If you could see your way clear to advancing me a sum. You see, I promised Victoria her own milliners. There is a lovely little shop available on the Strand. I had thought I could get it, but my… investments have turned bad, and I find myself short. And you know how Papa is.”
Charlotte’s heart fell. The one thing she could give no help at all with. She had no money beyond the modest allowance from her Uncle.
“I’m sorry, Reginald. I wish I could help, but I simply don’t have a lot of money myself. Certainly not enough to buy a property,” Charlotte explained.
Reginald frowned. His eyes narrowed, and he was silent for a long moment.
“You have no money to loan me,” he said flatly.
Charlotte spread her hands. “I will help in any other way. I can sing your praises to Victoria. Or help you win over Aunt Phyllis if that is your stumbling block…”
“What do you mean, you have no money?” Reginald asked quietly.
“…Just that,” Charlotte replied, confused by his response.
“I see.” Reginald’s voice was cold now, his words clipped.
He turned on his heel.
“Reginald, tell me what else I can do to help,” she called after him.
He stopped, shoulders hunched. “No, thank you. You have made yourself perfectly clear. This is my mess to clear up.”
He left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Charlotte suddenly wondered if Amelia had loaned him money before. If Amelia were wealthier than Charlotte. If so, that would explain Reginald’s sudden anger. The clock chimed three, and she jumped.
She was late.
CHAPTER 7
“Your Grace! Thank you for accepting my humble invitation. It is most gratifying to see you here,” Tewkesbury greeted enthusiastically as Seth entered the dining room.
A handful of other people were already present. They stood talking quietly, holding glasses of sweet sherry. The Dowager Countess sat by the fire in an imposing, throne-like armchair, holding court with three ladies. They looked up as Seth was announced, and he groaned inwardly.
“I see you have invited the Baroness of Eastwick,” Seth muttered dourly.
“Why, yes. Are you alone? Is Lady Nightingale not joining us? It will mean an odd number at the table,” Tewkesbury said, sounding concerned.
“She is, but I was traveling from my estates at Hillcrest,” Seth lied, “it wasn’t convenient to go all the way to Hanover Square on my way here, so I sent word asking her to meet me.”
