She went on to share some stories of old friends that Charlotte had heard many times before.
“Grandmother is correct. You really do look beautiful, Lydia.” Charlotte smiled warmly at her sister. Lydia offered a bashful smile. She was wearing a pale red dress in a modern style.
“I’m just fortunate that Grandmother treated me to this dress from the modiste.”
“I’m sure you are doing more for the dress than it is doing for you. If you wear this to other events in the Season, I’m sure itwon’t be too long until you find a suitable match, if that is what you desire.”
“Oh, it is,” the words rushed out of Lydia’s mouth. “Being around cousin Mary and Lord Blackwood has only made me more certain. To see them so in love, why, it’s infectious! Are you sure that nothing has made you reconsider?”
Thoughts of Nathaniel rampaged through Charlotte’s mind, threatening to tear her apart from the inside. She cleared her throat and smoothed down her green dress. It was the color of fading leaves as summer reached its end. She wore a simple necklace and elbow-length gloves.
In her mind, she paled compared to Lydia, but that was fine because Lydia was the type of girl who wanted to be noticed. Charlotte was quite happy remaining in the shadows.
Honoria was probably the type to be noticed as well.
Charlotte frowned. There was that name again, the unknown woman taking up a great deal of space in Charlotte’s mind. There was an uneasy feeling in Charlotte’s stomach. Around her waist, a thin fabric belt was tied. Charlotte pinched it between her fingers in an act of frustration as she found her lack of focus unsettling.
If it wasn’t Nathaniel, it was Honoria. Her mind was usually a calm, tranquil sea, but recently, it had become a tumultuous storm.
“Of course not. I have given this matter a great deal of thought since before I was your age, actually. Nothing has changed in the intervening years to lead me to believe that I have made a mistake.”
“Nothing? What about His Grace?”
Charlotte glared at Lydia, warning her to keep her voice down in the presence of Agatha. However, Agatha occupied herself with finding the perfect brooch.
“I’m sure I brought the peacock with me. I like the way its tail shimmers in the light. Now, where could it have gone? I hope that cat didn’t take it. They do like birds after all,” she muttered, completely lost in her own world.
Charlotte swallowed the tension and spoke quietly, but firmly.
“His Grace and I share a mutual respect, but that is all. I have enjoyed matching wits with him during our stay, but if you believe there is anything more to it than that, then I must disappoint you.”
“Don’t give up hope, dear sister! This is how all the best stories begin.”
“I have no hope to sacrifice. Besides, he is expecting his bride presently.” Charlotte tried but failed to mask the bitterness in her voice.
Confusion adorned Lydia’s face.
“His bride? I wasn’t aware he was to be married as well.”
“He is. Her name is Lady Honoria Everstone, and she is due today. I imagine she might join us for the dinner party. Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess, has made the match, and I’m sure she has found someone perfect for her son. I imagine His Grace will be very happy.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Lydia said, looking despondent.
Charlotte laughed lightly.
“What are you sorry for, Lydia? I told you I had no designs at all on His Grace or on marriage.”
“I just thought that if you met the right man…”
“And that still remains the case, but His Grace is most decidedly not the right man for me. For Lady Honoria, he is, I’m sure, and I will wish them many happy years together.”
Lydia remained unconvinced, but Charlotte did not wish to endure a conversation about this any longer than necessary. She took herself away from Lydia and went to help her grandmother, who was rummaging through a chest of jewelry.
“Allow me to assist, Grandmother.” Charlotte gently nudged Agatha aside. It took her only a few moments to pick out the peacock. It was a well-crafted brooch with small jewels embedded in the peacock’s tail, making it shine when it caught the light.
“Ah, wonderful! You never let me down, Charlotte. Please, would you attach it for me?” Agatha tilted her head back and pushed out her chest. Charlotte slid the pin through the purple fabric of Agatha’s dress.
“I meant to say, but you look beautiful too, Grandmother. Perhaps you should look for a suitor when you attend next Season’s balls.”
