“I think it’s safe to say that serendipity is indeed working in our favour.” Isabella blushed and placed her hand on his arm, allowing herself to be led away with Rose at her side. The two girls seemed to get along smashingly as they both laughed at something Michael had said.
“Do you suppose we’ve just stopped existing to them at this point?” Jameson whispered in Charlotte’s ear as he came to her side, gently placing his hand on her elbow.
The gesture brought back the kiss from before, causing her skin to tingle from his touch.
“I think that we could stand on our heads and whistle at this point, and neither of them would care very much,” Charlotte whispered back with a light note of amusement. The atmosphere between them was once again charged as he gently stoked the soft skin of her elbow with his thumb.
“Indeed, I do not think they would care very much,” Jameson remarked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I have never heard of such a silly remark. I will go ahead and see if Mama needs any help. The two of you may stay here and talk on silly matters if you wish,” Elizabeth snapped at them both and left, fuming as she walked towards her mother.
“Did I say something wrong?” Charlotte felt taken aback by the sudden change in the seemingly sweet girl’s behaviour.
Rolling his eyes, Jameson shook his head and began to lead Charlotte towards the others at a leisurely pace. “Never mind her, you didn’t do anything wrong. My sister is merely coming to terms with the fact that her hopes for me courting her friend have all but ended,” Jameson filled her in.
“Do you mean Lady Henrietta?” Charlotte felt touched that Jameson would confide in her as if he trusted her.
“I didn’t think you were aware of that?” Jameson glanced at her, his eyes filling with concern.
“More noticed the way Lady Henrietta looks at you rather than heard,” Charlotte confessed, growing increasingly easy in his presence.
“I guess it wasn’t hard for anyone to notice the attraction. I want to assure you that it was entirely one-sided.” He sighed heavily as if the whole ordeal had caused him a great amount of irritation.
Charlotte felt relieved at hearing that the marquess held no affection for his younger sister’s friend. “I thank you for your confidence, My Lord, but it is entirely your own affair whether or not you harboured feelings for the young woman.” She decided to act unfazed by the news, not wanting to seem too eager in his presence.
“I hope it does concern you, if only a little. I would hate for our kiss from last night to have been in vain.” Jameson leaned in closer and whispered in her ear just as they reached the other.
He was thinking of the kiss.
Her heart fluttered with a strange sensation as Jameson let go of her elbow, lingering for only a moment as he smiled at her.
“It took the two of you long enough,” the duchess teased as she made herself comfortable beside Lady Thornton on the blanket.
Taking a deep breath, Charlotte took in the scene before her. A large white sheet blanket had been placed on the grass beneath a giant oak, providing enough shade for an afternoon’s worth of picnic time. The tree was a stone’s throw away from the lake, providing a light breeze from the water.
“We saved a place for you both over here.” Lady Isabella patted the blanket beside her and Michael, gesturing for Charlotte to join them.
Offering her his hand for support, Jameson helped her onto the blanket, gently rubbing her palm with his thumb so that no one would notice.
“You must try some of the champagne.” Jameson gestured for one of the footmen to pour each of them a glass.
“I don’t usually drink this early in the day, but I suppose that it would be refreshing in this heat.” Charlotte felt herself blushing as she accepted the glass; the subtle way that the marquess flirted with her left her feeling breathless in his presence.
Lady Elizabeth pursed her lips in disapproval, turning her head away from Charlotte and Jameson as she focused her attention on Lady Rose.
“Tell me, Lady Charlotte, who do you think is the greatest composer of all time?” Jameson drew her attention back to him as Isabella happily chattered away with Michael.
“Ignaz Pleyel,” Charlotte answered automatically.
Jameson seemed taken aback by her reply, lifting an eyebrow with a wolfish smirk that took her off guard. “Not Beethoven or Rossini?”
“Why? Do you prefer the more known composers over the genius of a smaller and lesser-known composer?” Charlotte shot back, enjoying their playful banter that nobody else seemed to be interested in. The bubbles of the champagne tickled her lips as she sipped the sweet-tasting drink.
“Touche, and what makes your choice so much more superior to that of the more common variety?” Jameson laughed heartily, lifting his glass to his lips.
“Well, if you must know, Pleyel has inspired many great works other than his own music. Jane Austen admitted to having a fondness for his work and enjoyed listening to his songs while she thought of ideas for her books.” She raised her eyebrows in a challenge, waiting to hear his rebuttal.
“I must confess that I did not know that. I look forward to learning many more facts while in your company, Lady Charlotte.” He lifted his glass to her and winked before taking another sip.
