“It is indeed a sight to behold. My compliments and gratitude,” Charlotte bowed her head toward Nathaniel and Beatrice. Beatrice tried to use this as an excuse to engage Charlotte in conversation, but Agatha launched into another story and placed her hand on Beatrice’s arm, preventing her from rising.
“We would spare nothing for this occasion, Lady Charlotte,” Nathaniel said, his voice strong and redolent. It was so powerful he might as well have been standing right beside her. Charlotte tilted her head to the side and ran her hand along the nape of her neck, for she felt the fine hair rising.
At least she could breathe more easily about Alfred and Mary’s relationship as long as Nathaniel was a man of his word.
“And we shall all enjoy it immensely, I’m sure! I can’t recall the last time I gazed upon a feast like this, if I ever have. I’m sure this is how they eat at the palace,” Edmund said.
Nathaniel circled a finger in the air, gesturing for a servant to approach Charlotte and Lydia with champagne.
“Please enjoy a refreshing drink before we sit down,” Nathaniel said.
Charlotte and Lydia each took a fluted glass. Lydia’s eyes widened with excitement, for this was a novelty for her. She laughed in surprise at the bubbly sensation. Charlotte took a small sip. The sparkling liquid tingled on her lips and then bounced over her tongue. She remained measured, not wishing to lose her self-control.
One thing she noticed immediately was that Nathaniel kept his distance from her. He greeted her; he was cordial, but he did not close the distance between them.
Speaking of distance, Edmund circled away from Charlotte and Lydia and approached Nathaniel.
“Perhaps we can enjoy another game of cribbage after dinner. I’m sure I’ll be dealt some better hands this time,” Edmund suggested.
Nathaniel smirked. Charlotte knew exactly what he was thinking because she had thought the same thing many times before. It wasn’t Edmund’s cards that were the problem.
“If the opportunity arises, I will be happy to play again,” Nathaniel said.
Meanwhile, Clara came running up to Charlotte and Lydia, greeting them both with a warm hug. She then spun, her dress billowing out around her. She didn’t look like a girl so much as a little woman.
“Look! Do you like it?” she asked, striking a pose.
“I think you look beautiful,” Lydia said.
“Indeed, you are the prettiest maiden in all of England,” Charlotte offered.
Clara giggled and clasped her hands together.
“One day, I’m going to wear a dress like this to all the events, and I’m going to dance and have lots of fun, and I’m going to find a husband of my own. And we’re going to be happy. And he’s going to have a big estate. He’s going to be a prince!” she said.
“Is that so? It seems that you have it all worked out,” Charlotte said.
Clara nodded enthusiastically. Her words brought to mind Agatha’s earlier warning. All Charlotte wanted to do was tell Clara to enjoy the freedom of being a child, because the older one grew, the more limits were placed upon them.
Clara then beckoned to Charlotte with a curled finger. Lydia moved to speak to Mary. By the way they admired eachother, Charlotte assumed they were complimenting each other’s outfits.
Charlotte bent down to offer Clara her ear.
“Mother told me that Hector and Brutus aren’t allowed into the dining hall, but if they do come in, I’m going to sneak them food under the table. I don’t think it’s fair that they should go hungry while we’re all eating. You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
“Of course not. Your secret is safe with me. But I’m sure they are being fed. They’re probably just eating in the kitchen. A table is no place for an animal.”
“They’re part of the family. They should be here. That’s one of the things I’m going to change when Mother and Alfred get married.”
Charlotte was about to correct Clara and suggest that she use Alfred’s proper title, but she assumed that Alfred and Clara had come to some sort of understanding.
“Is that so? Have you thought of any other changes?”
“Yes,” Clara nodded firmly. “We’re going to have tea parties every day, and we’re going to go riding, and we’re going to sing. I have another secret,” she said, lowering her voice to a whisper again. Charlotte struggled to hide the smile on her face.
“What is this secret?”
“You have to promise not to say anything.”
