Careful not to spill my shells, I made my way up the beach toward Mama. She now stood with her arm looped through Edmund’s, creating a barrier between him and Charlotte. I stole a look at each of their faces. It seemed that all three of them hada reason to be cross with me now. Edmund scowled like it was my fault Charlotte had pursued him, and Charlotte wore a look of mild betrayal, since I had failed at luring my mother away.
Mama appeared displeased too, and I could easily guess at the reason.
“Who was that gentleman?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“I don’t know,” I said, keeping my tone nonchalant. “We were not introduced.”
She frowned. “But you were conversing.”
“Briefly. He made a comment about my shells.” I held out my hands, hoping to distract her. “I am going to make them into a frame for one of my paintings. I will require more, but this was all I could gather today.” Before she could question me further, I put on a smile and linked my arm through Charlotte’s, despite her cold demeanor toward me. I knew just how to cheer her up.
We walked past Mama and Edmund, and once we had achieved enough distance, I leaned toward her. “His name is Mr. Jonathan Croft.”
Charlotte’s eyes lit up. “So you did meet him.”
“Indeed.” My face heated. “But he was the one who offered his introduction first.”
Her lips twisted into a smirk as she glanced in Mr. Croft’s direction. He had joined his sisters again. “What did you learn of him?” Charlotte asked.
“Not a great deal.” My gaze lingered on his dark brows, and the smile on his face as he spoke to one of the gentlemen who had joined them.
Charlotte’s inquisitive eyes dragged all over Mr. Croft and his sisters, and I felt a sudden surge of regret over telling her his name. “Is he rich?” she asked. “His clothing would suggest he has money, but how much is the real question.”
“I don’t know.”And nor do I care.“But I found him quite agreeable and charming. I liked him.”
Charlotte laughed. “Hmm. He must not be rich, then. It is a rare man who is agreeable, handsome,andrich.” She lowered her voice. “That is why I cannot give up on Edmund.”
An ill sensation entered my stomach. I couldn’t delay it any longer. “But youshouldgive up on him.”
Her confused gaze lifted to mine.
I paused, collecting my thoughts. “You know I am in support of the match, and that I always have been…but Edmund made his feelings clear this morning.” I sighed. “He has seen through our schemes, and he wanted to express that he has no wish to court you. Or anyone, it seems. Please do not take it to heart. I wish for you to be happy and to marry a man who is madly in love with you. That is what you deserve.”
A scowl crept onto Charlotte’s brow, but it was closer to determination than dismay. “Perhaps it’s not too late to change his mind.”
“No—Charlotte…he is quite stubborn. He will not change his mind. I am very sorry for the role I have played in raising your hopes, but it seems you are not destined to be my sister-in-law after all.”
She stared at the pebbles as we walked, her expression difficult to read. I couldn’t tell if she was sad, angry, or simply contemplative. “Thank you for informing me.”
“Let us enjoy the rest of our trip without Edmund spoiling our fun,” I said, tucking her arm closer to me. “I believe there is a man in this world who has been given the eyes to see you properly—as you are, inside and out—and to love everything he sees. Edmund simply doesn’t have those eyes. Someone else will, I am certain of it.”
She scoffed, a faint smile on her lips. “You are ridiculously romantic.”
I was relieved to see her accept the situation so gracefully. At least she didn’t seem inclined to continue pursuing Edmund.As much as I loved Charlotte, I did know that she was driven mostly by the notion of being the future mistress of Kellaway Manor. She had never seemed to care too deeply about whether or not she was loved by my brother. It troubled me to witness, since being so loved was my dearest dream for myself. I couldn’t imagine how anyone wouldn’t care at all.
“Will you be all right, then?” I asked in a tentative voice.
“Of course.” Charlotte took a deep breath, lifting her chin. “I will simply have to shift my efforts elsewhere.”
I nodded, my heart flooding with relief. “We will meet plenty of gentlemen here in Brighton.”
She wore that contemplative look again, and for some reason, it made me nervous. “Plenty,” she affirmed.
Chapter Three
JONATHAN
The arm of Loftus Dodge was rarely seen without shopping bags strung across it. Today, he was adorned on both sides, his face contorted in discomfort as he followed his wife toward Hannington’s. There were a total of sixty shops on North Street, and my sister was determined to visit them all. Perhaps it would have been kind of me to offer to lighten Loftus’s load, but he had brought this upon himself. He had married Penelope, after all.
