The sensual way his lips caressed the glass with every sip made Charlotte think of their kiss as she grew increasingly flustered beneath his gaze. Reaching for a strawberry on the platter offered to her by a footman, she found her fingers colliding with Jameson’s hand, causing them both to look up for an intimate moment where time stood still.
“It’s getting too hot; I think we should all go rowing.” Lady Elizabeth suddenly stood and balled her fists at her side, almost yelling above the others as she narrowed her eyes at Charlotte and Jameson.
“Are you well, dear?” The duchess looked at her daughter with a quizzical brow.
Realizing that she had caused a spectacle, Elizabeth blushed slightly and unclenched her fists. “I just thought it would be a lovely idea if we all went rowing. Perhaps Jameson and I can accompany you, Mama?” She turned towards her mother with a hopeful smile.
The duchess hesitated at first but glanced at the separate groups of people on the blanket. “Perhaps the three of us could go rowing another time, dear. I think our guests would like to spend some time with us as well,” she answered her daughter in a firm voice while still being polite.
“Very well, I suppose that Lady Rose and I can accompany Jameson while Lady Charlotte and Lady Isabella accompany Lord Ashburton. And then …” Her words were cut short by Lady Thornton, who came to her feet.
“If I may make a suggestion, Your Grace, perhaps it would be better if more intimate groups were formed. Lady Elizabeth here can accompany Lady Rose with one of the maids and a footman to row. While Lord Sinclair and Lady Charlotte can be accompanied by her maid.
That leaves Lord Ashburton and Lady Isabella with her maid as chaperone while we watch from the shade of the tree. That is if that arrangement is agreeable to you, Your Grace,” Lady Thornton addressed the duchess with a hopeful smile.
“I think that is a most wonderous suggestion, Lady Thornton. I couldn’t have made a better pairing myself if I had tried.” The duchess seemed pleased at the suggestion, nodding her approval despite the displeased scowl on her daughter’s face.
“That’s settled then; what a marvellous afternoon this is turning out to be.” Lady Thornton beamed from ear to ear as she turned to the couples on the blanket.
Isabella and Michael seemed more than pleased with the arraignment, while the marquess gave Charlotte a strange smile that made her breath catch in her throat.
We will be alone with Anne.
Charlotte thought of their kiss and what they would discuss sitting across from one another on a small boat.
Chapter 12
The oars gently stirred the water as Jameson sat across from Charlotte, taking in the breathtaking sight of her beauty. The graceful curve of her neck made his mind wander to dangerous places.
What would it feel like if I kissed her skin?
He recalled the gentle intake of her breaths and slight gasps when he’d taken her into his arms and acted upon his most fervent desires.
“How long do you think it will be before Lord Ashburton proposes?” Charlotte drew his attention back to the present as she shifted her parasol and looked towards Michael and Isabella’s boat.
The couple were laughing happily, entirely absorbed in one another’s company, while Isabella's maid averted her gaze, smiling to herself at the conversations.
“I’m not sure, to be honest with you; I was surprised when Lord Ashburton took such a liking to Lady Isabella,” he answered honestly, frowning slightly as he took in the scene of the happy couple in the boat.
“I can assure you that Lady Isabella is a perfectly fine lady with many admirable attributes and accomplishments.” Charlotte turned to him and narrowed her eyes in defence of her friend. The angry tilt of her full lips let him know that he had offended her.
“Oh, no, I did not mean to cause offence. I’m sure that Lady Isabella is a lovely young lady. I know that her family is a respected one amongst the ton; Lord Ashburton could not have made a better choice,” Jameson hurried to explain, holding onto his laughter in case his mirth offended her even further. There was something utterly beguiling about the way she looked when she was angry.
“I don’t understand your meaning then.” Charlotte shifted in her seat, rocking the boat slightly as she glanced over her shoulder at her maid, who was nodding off at regular intervals.
Glancing at his friend’s boat that was steadily gaining on them, Jameson thought of all that his friend had been through, having his heart broken by a woman he’d intended to marry.
“Lord Ashburton has not been interested in courting for quite a few years. There was a young lady that broke his heart, and the ordeal left him with a tangible mistrust for anyone that batted their eyelids in his direction.”
Charlotte’s face softened as she listened to the story, displaying her sympathy for the man her best friend seemed to be falling in love with.
“He was quite taken with the young woman, and she seemed to be quite taken with him, or at least until a very wealthy duke showed up. She chose wealth over affection despite the vast wealth that Lord Ashburton possesses.” Jameson sighed heavily as he rowed the small white boat to the centre of the lake.
“I can understand why he felt the need to protect his affections, but I can assure you that Lady Isabella Thornton would choose affection and genuine courtship over wealth without even thinking. She speaks of Lord Ashburton as if he could walk on water,” Charlotte did her best to reassure him, lifting her eyes to meet his gaze.
“Like I said, he couldn’t have made a better choice.” The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. The conversation seemed to flow easily between them, bringing with it a lazy atmosphere that mingled with the bright sun.
Lord Ashburton’s boat pulled up next to theirs, gently drifting as the man lowered his arms to stop rowing.
