“I’m afraid I don’t know much about music,” Frederick apologized, furthering Charlotte’s disappointment as she placed the sheets back under the seat and shut the lid.
“That is quite alright, My Lord. We can discuss other matters of interest.” Charlotte took a deep breath and came forward, accepting the bouquet of flowers before handing them to Wilkins.
“I will see that Anne arranges the flowers in a vase at once.” Wilkins bowed politely and rang for a maid before taking up his position beside the door as her chaperone.
Charlotte gestured to Lord Frederick to take a seat opposite hers on the couches. Swallowing her disappointment, she took a seat and tucked the folds of her light dress beneath her legs. She would have preferred a spirited discussion about music, but there were no grounds for her to be rude to a man who had been nothing but polite to her since their meeting.
“I was hoping we could discuss a little more of your travelling aspirations,” Fredrick began to the onslaught of what Charlotte realized would be more polite conversation in the form of interrogation.
“Certainly, Lord Frederick. I would love to hear of all the countries you have visited.” She folded her hands in her lap and pasted a smile on her face, playing the part of the dutiful hostess.
“I would far rather hear of the countries that you would like to visit. Tell me, Lady Charlotte, which of the countries that your uncle has visited would you most like to see?” Frederick sat back in his seat, placing his right leg over his left as if he were waiting for her response with bated breath.
“Well, I would have to say that France has always been on top of that list.” She raked her brain for all of the countries that her uncle had travelled to over the years on business.
Frederick’s eyes seemed to light up at the mention of France. “Now, that is a fascinating country. I have to confess, however, that I never took a liking to their bizarre choice of food; frog legs never sat well with me.” He chuckled playfully and winked at her.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable, Charlotte shifted in her seat. There was something about the way he spoke to her that made her feel as if he were scrutinizing every move she made.
“Is it true that they eat actual frogs’ legs?” She tried to keep the conversation going without letting on that she wasn’t at ease in his presence. Her uncle’s insistence on making a good match still lingered at the back of her mind.
“With butter of all things, I am afraid. What country would be second on your list?” He smiled encouragingly at her with one corner of his mouth tilted lazily.
Raking her brain, Charlotte chewed the inside of her mouth thoughtfully. “My uncle does visit Scotland quite often. I think it may be marvellous to eat Bannocks and sip ale while searching for the Loch Ness Monster,” she bantered cheerfully despite the lingering feeling of unease in her chest.
Her answer seemed to spark his interest as Frederick leaned forward in his seat and held her gaze. “Just how many times has your uncle visited Scotland in the past few years?” His amber eyes shone with enthusiasm as he awaited her response.
“More than likely once a month,” she answered after recalling all the times that she had been left to her own devices after her parents’ deaths.
“Lucky man, Scotland is a wonderful country to visit,” Frederick replied and sat back in his seat.
Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief when the drawing room opened, revealing the butler with a tray of tea and eats. She had completely forgotten that she had asked for tea to be sent up, but the distraction was a welcome one, nonetheless.
“Thank you, Wilkins.” Charlotte smiled at the man gratefully as he placed the tray on the table between the viscount and herself.
“I feel this a good time to ask if you would be so kind as to accompany me on a picnic tomorrow, Lady Charlotte?” Frederick asked hopefully while reaching for an ice-cake.
Thinking on her feet, Charlotte perked up. “I’m afraid that I am otherwise engaged tomorrow, Lord Frederick. Lady Thornton has asked me to perform on her pianoforte tomorrow evening at her soiree. I will be using the day to prepare.”
“Ah, such a pity, the weather is lovely this time of year for a picnic, but another time then.” He smiled at her before taking a bite of cake and accepting the cup of tea that Wilkins held out to him.
Breathing another sigh of relief, Charlotte felt as if she had narrowly escaped another interrogation that would centre around her uncle’s travelling interests. She didn’t know what she would do if she had to sit through two days in a row of speaking to the determined Lord Frederick.
“If you ever get the chance to visit Scotland, be sure to search for Selkies and not just the Loch Ness Monster. I hear they are frightful creatures,” Frederick said cheerfully and reached for a sandwich.
“I will, thank you, Lord Frederick.” Charlotte sighed despite her best efforts and readied herself for an afternoon of bland conversations.
***
Jameson came down to lunch with a heavy sigh as he spotted the way his sister was smiling at him with a wolfish grin. His mother smiled at him with a knowing grin, winking before he took his seat opposite her at the table.
“I trust that you have had a fruitful morning,” Lady Helena broke the silence as she sipped her cup of tea.
“I did, thank you. I got quite a bit of practice on the pianoforte before Father called me in for a meeting with one of his business associates. It seems there is another plan to expand.” He realized with a grateful heart that his mother was trying her best to keep the conversation away from the ball.
“That sounds promising; do tell us more about this new business venture.” Helena discreetly winked at him over the brim of her cup.
Feeling a sense of relief at the turn the conversation was taking, he reached for his napkin with a smile. “Wel …”
