First, he wanted to ensure that this was indeed the same woman. There was no doubting it, however. The image of her was etched into his mind, as was the sound of her sharp words. She adopted a gentler tone with him here, the fire of her argument doused by the situation, no doubt.
Secondly, he needed to decide exactly what to do with her. His temptation was to out her immediately, but a guarded thought whispered through his mind. Like it or not, she had involved him in this scandal. Nathaniel had to be cautious about how he revealed the truth, lest he be tainted too.
For the moment, he quelled his instincts, wishing for more time to plan his course of action. He quickly tore his gaze away from Charlotte, confident that he had done enough to mask his surprise. He held out a hand.
“Perhaps we should adjourn to the drawing room, where our guests may be more comfortable. We have much to discuss.” He nodded his head and waited for them to turn. Charlotte seemed to be half a step quicker than everyone else, as though she was in a hurry to flee.
Nathaniel could not blame her. She had stained her lips with impropriety after all.
He lingered in the foyer, giving his riding crop and gloves to a servant before issuing an order to bring refreshment to the drawing room. Then, he took a moment to look at the portraits of his ancestors, with whom he shared his stern countenance and gray eyes.
I wonder if any of you had to deal with someone like her, he thought. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he joined them in the drawing room.
When he entered, Nathaniel pinched his lips. Agatha Hartley had inadvertently offended his mother by sitting in her favorite chair. Beatrice was currently clasping her hands together tightly, the tension unmistakable upon her face. Mary and Alfred were sitting together with Clara between them.
As for the three siblings, Duke Edmund was perusing a bookshelf. Lydia was showing some decorum, at least by perching in a chair and keeping quiet, her hands folded in her lap.
“Mary has told me you enjoy nature, Lady Charlotte. Perhaps you would care to admire the view?” Alfred invited. Charlotte nodded demurely, privately relieved to be able to remove herself from the group and gather her thoughts.
“Did you have a good ride, brother?” Alfred asked.
Servants entered, bringing a clinking tea set with them. The warm aroma filled the room. Clara’s eyes widened at the plate of golden-brown biscuits, and then she seemed amused when Agatha’s nimble fingers plucked one. Agatha drew back, nibbling on the biscuit.
Beatrice quailed.
Nathaniel expected a little piece of her had died inside as crumbs fell upon her precious chair.
“It was fine. The weather was temperate today,” Nathaniel replied.
“You must all join us for a ride; the woods are teeming with wildlife. Every time we venture outside, there is something new to see,” Alfred said, excitement making his voice waver.
“We would love to, especially my dear sister. She was harping on about that during our journey.” Edmund nodded toward Lydia.
The demure girl dipped her head but could not hide her smile nor the rosiness upon her cheeks.
“Of course, but before you venture outside, we must educate you about the boundaries of our land. It would not do for you to intrude upon another’s territory.” Nathaniel’s thinly veiled comment was aimed at Charlotte. He noticed her head tilt. She glanced over her shoulder at him.
“What are you on about? Our forests are so vast, I highly doubt they will leave our bounds.” Alfred furrowed his brow.
“It always pays to be cautious. One must know the rules to ensure they are unbroken,” Nathaniel said. Charlotte cleared her throat as he said this.
“Please have some tea, My Lady,” Nathaniel directed his words to Charlotte. She was hesitant at first. “I insist,” he added, almost hissing the words.
Charlotte turned and bowed her head. He stared at her, noticing this time that she dared not meet his gaze.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she whispered, taking the cup and saucer in her hands. He noticed how tightly she gripped it and the ripples in the tea.
“Is there anything that takes your interest, Your Grace? Please feel free to enjoy anything in our extensive library,” Alfred suggested, rising to stand beside Edmund.
“Let us not stand on ceremony. We are soon to be family! Please call me Edmund,” Edmund insisted.
Nathaniel inclined his head, thinking that these people were supposed to impress them, not the other way around. Edmund’s eschewing his title did not sit right with Nathaniel either.
“I would like to keep up my reading of poetry. What collections do you have?” Edmund asked.
“Is there something the matter?” Agatha asked indignantly, interrupting the conversation.
“Not at all. I just thought you might appreciate a cloth to collect those crumbs,” Beatrice suggested with a forced smile on her face. She had taken a cloth from one of the servants and offered it to Agatha, while glancing nervously at the chair in which Agatha was sitting.
