More to the point, he disliked that he was pondering Lady Charlotte’s inner life in any way, weighing it against his own idealism, wondering at her possible philosophical thoughts.
Enough. Dinnae let the bonnie lass distract you.
Complete this visit, sign the papers in London, and resume your life.
He picked up his knife and fork, contemplating the roast beef on his plate. It tasted delicious, but if he viewed it as the flesh of a once-living thing . . . the whole did become rather unappetizing, he supposed.
He raised his eyes back to Lady Charlotte. “I agree with your grandmother, Lady Charlotte. Refusing to eat meat would take fortitude—”
“Bah!It was not meant as a compliment.” The Dowager gave a decidedly Gallic wave of her hand. “Were dinner left to you both, it would be a tasteless expanse of vegetables and bread washed down with water. The very thought is utterly depressing. Life is meant to be lived in full. Not rationed into petite morsels of joy.”
Nettlesby frowned. “I say, how have I never noticed that you don’t eat meat, Lady Charlotte?”
ThelookLady Charlotte gave Nettlesby—eyebrow raised, lips pinched—had Alex swallowing back a laugh.
She might as well have said aloud,You haven’t noticed, Nettlesby, because you see me as a prize to acquire rather than a person.
Nettlesby rattled on, however, confirming his obliviousness. “How can a beautiful woman such as yourself decline to eat meat?” His lordship’s frown deepened.
Och.
This gentleman.
Alex was helpless to stop his sardonic tongue. “I am sure that Lady Charlotte possesses a great many admirable qualitiesbeyondbeauty.”
The Dowager gave a startled burst of laughter, nursing her wine glass as if delighted.
Alex looked at Lady Charlotte across the table. “I have read Mr. Percy Shelley’s pamphlet defending a vegetable system of diet and found his ideas interesting.”
Lady Charlotte sat straighter in her chair, her eyes lighting with the first sign of true interest he had seen from her.
“Yes,” she nodded, “I have found all of Mr. Shelley’s arguments inA Vindication of Natural Dietto be most compelling—”
The Duke of Ferndown cleared his throat. Loudly.
Ah.
The duke did not wish to have a philosophical discussion about the virtues of a vegetal diet. And as Ferndownwasa duke, he got his way.
Conversation stalled.
Lady Charlotte met Alex’s gaze across the table.
An almost uncanny unspoken flurry of thoughts passed between them.
The sense that shedidhave deep-seated reasons why she chose not to eat meat. Likely reasons as formidable as his own for not drinking alcohol. And because of this, he sensed that he and Lady Charlotte would see eye-to-eye on a great many things.
Perhaps it was this sense of kinship that had him opening his mouth further.
“I will stand in solidarity with ye, Lady Charlotte.” He pushed the beef to the side of his plate and reached for a tureen of sauteed winter spinach.
“Thank you,” she smiled and then motioned for a footman to remove her wine glass. “I will return the favor.”
Lord Frank rolled his eyes. Nettlesby lifted his wineglass for a footman to refill, his expression still puzzled.
“Well,” Ferndown sighed, reaching for his own glass, “at least we can all enjoy dessert.”
Alex froze in the process of wiping his mouth. His panicked gaze met Lady Charlotte’s.
