Yes. That was what she would do.
No kissing.
But she would retain her friendship with him. There could be little harm to Freddie and Margaret in that.
Dr. Smithson had left hours ago. The silence pressed on her, each tick of the fireplace clock ringing in her ears like a gong.
Should she check on Cousin Alex then? Apologize right now—
“You look lovely in your frock,ma petite.” Grandmère raised her head. “That color has always suited you. Will you be setting aside your mourning colors in earnest now?”
“Yes.” Lottie nodded, hoping her flushed cheeks were not too obvious. “I think it is about time. I’ve put it off long enough.”
“Mmmm.” Grandmère bent back over her embroidery. “Does the presence of a certain doctor factor into this in any way?”
Lottie’s blush deepened. She kept her face averted, as if looking over her writing. “Whatever do you mean, Grandmère?”
“Only that you have been spending time with him. And now, today,poof!You are here, wearing colors, and feigning ignorance. Is there araisonwhy you are no longer keeping the doctor company,ma puce?”
Lottie could feel the bristling force of Grandmère’s gaze pressing into her shoulder blades.
She darted a glance at her grandmother.
“Out with it, Charlotte. You are the color of a Burgundy grape. Something has happened, and I would hear the tale.”
“Grandmère, there is nothing to tell—”
“Bah!” Grandmère made a beckoning motion with her hand. “You know I will always ferret out a secret. Come. What has happened?”
There was no help but to confess the whole.
After a brief hesitation, Lottie said, “I kissed the doctor.”
Grandmère looked up from her embroidery, her eyebrows winging upward.
A bit of a pause.
“Was the experience unpleasant?” Grandmère asked.
Lottie barely held back a huff of surprise, her blush somehow intensifying.
Trust Grandmère to take a decidedly French view of the situation.
Should she tell the truth? That the kiss had been transcendent? That she could scarcely think of anything else?
Though given how Grandmère scrutinized her face, Lottie rather thought her grandmother had already deduced that last bit. Another hallmark of her Grandmother’s French blood.
“If you enjoyed the kiss, then I do not understand why there is anything to fuss over. The doctor appears to be a sensible fellow—very eligible—and you are wise to permit him a liberty or two.”
“Grandmère!” Lottie gasped.
“You are far too English,ma petite. You must think like a Frenchwoman. You are not meant for the life ofla vieillefille.”
“I am not quite a spinster yet, Grandmère.”
“No, but you adore Freddie, and I can see that your heart aches for children of your own.”
Lottie fell silent. Grandmère spoke truth.
