“That won’t be necessary at all. I have never dropped a crumb in my life. Things are too precious to waste,” Agatha said. As she spoke, she waved half a biscuit in the air. Crumbs dropped noticeably into her lap. Beatrice let out a suppressed gasp but said nothing further.
Nathaniel ghosted his way to the window, standing beside Charlotte. The window looked out to the rear of the grounds. The forest rose beyond the walls.
“It’s quite a view, especially from the upper floors,” he said, keeping his voice low. Charlotte twitched, the teacup shaking in her hands. Now that he was closer, he was reminded of her scent. It was sweet and floral and seemed to rush to overwhelm his senses.
“Indeed. You have an impressive estate.” Charlotte’s words were divested of their strength and devoid of the stubbornness he had heard before.
“Do you intend to enjoy a ride in the countryside?”
“I’m sure it would be a lovely experience.”
“Then I must warn you that some animals are prone to leap out from nowhere. It can be difficult to defend oneself against such an attack. Of course, we cannot blame them, for they do not know any better.”
Charlotte’s head dipped. Nathaniel studied the strands of auburn hair. Some of them glinted red as they caught the light from outside. He had to shake himself to break his concentration.
“Nathaniel, would you mind showing Her Grace the bust of your great-great-grandfather?” Beatrice called out to him.
Nathaniel looked across and saw the strained look on his mother’s face. It was often a sign that something was wrong.
As he was called into action like this, he moved away from Charlotte and caught her relieved breath.
Nathaniel helped Agatha out of the chair and led her to the corner, moving past Edmund and Alfred. As soon as Agatha rose, Beatrice beckoned a servant over, and he began to collect the crumbs that dusted the chair. Then, she handed him the cloth to lay over it. Meanwhile, Mary had engaged Lydia in conversation.
“And who is this fellow then?” Agatha asked as they approached the bust.
“His name was Alfred Blackwood; my brother was named after him.” Nathaniel held himself a little straighter, feeling a sense of pride wash over him. Agatha moved around the bust, inspecting it from all angles.
“Was his nose that crooked in real life?”
Nathaniel pressed his lips together. Edmund and Alfred were close enough to overhear.
“Oh, Grandmother, it’s not crooked. It’s just the angle you’re looking at. That nose is straight as an arrow. I’m not sure there’s ever been a nose as straight as that one.” Edmund offered an apologetic smile as he took Agatha’s hand and led her away.
Nathaniel’s face remained blank, unmoved by this empty flattery.
“I do not take kindly to being insulted in my own home,” he growled under his breath.
Alfred placed a hand on his arm.
“Consider it an artistic impression, and we all know that opinions about art are subjective.”
“And manners are absolute.”
“Brother, please, I need this to go well. Give them the benefit of the doubt.”
“You ask much of me,” Nathaniel said, his gaze once again drifting toward Charlotte.
“And I shall repay you in kind. I am humbled by your generosity, Your Grace,” Alfred added, squeezing Nathaniel’s arm. He then turned and spread out his arms, ready to address the room.
“While I’m sure we’re all enjoying acquainting ourselves, there is a most pressing matter at hand—my wedding to this most enchanting woman.” He glanced toward Mary, who blushed and smiled.
Edmund led Agatha back to her chair. She seemed puzzled by the cloth, gesturing to it with a bewildered expression. Edmund waved a dismissive hand in the air and helped lower her.
Charlotte turned her entire body from the window, finally looking toward the middle of the room instead of focusing her gaze outside. She remained in the same position, however unwilling to move from safety.
“Indeed, my dear brother.” Nathaniel placed a hand on Alfred’s shoulder and acted as though he was addressing the room, although his words were meant for one person in particular. “And of course, with marriage comes certain expectations. I’m sure we all want this wedding to proceed as smoothly as possible. With that in mind, we must respect the proper procedure and behavior. Everything must be conducted according to tradition.”
As he said this, he focused his gaze on Charlotte. She glanced at him for an instant but then immediately turned away, staring into her cup of tea. It was almost impossible to believe that thiswas the same woman who had thrown herself at him. Had she been possessed by some demon?
