Honoria then greeted Nathaniel with another deep curtsy.
“Your Grace, I have long awaited our meeting. Your estate surpasses everything I have heard about it.”
“And your beauty surpasses everything I have heard about you,” Nathaniel said, bowing before Honoria.
Charlotte watched this interaction with a strange feeling coursing through her stomach. It was not quite envy, but it was something very close. At first glance, Honoria looked to be the perfect duchess in every way, but there was a small whisper in the back of Charlotte’s mind that she couldn’t quite push away.
What if that were me?
Chapter Twenty
“Ihope that your journey here roused your appetite. There is plenty of food to enjoy,” Nathaniel said, gesturing for Honoria to take a seat. Just before she did so, the butler made the introductions to everyone else.
Nathaniel studied Honoria carefully. She had a dainty nose, arched eyebrows, gentle blue eyes, and high cheekbones. She was what most people would call the epitome of beauty. If she were a sculpture in a gallery, then she would be vaunted as a masterpiece.
And yet, for some reason, his gaze kept threatening to return to the woman at the other end of the table.
Charlotte.
Despite all his best efforts, he had been unable to shake her from his mind. All through the evening, while he had been speaking with his brother, half his attention had been on Charlotte.
And now, he had to summon all his willpower, for he could not allow himself to insult Lady Honoria.
She cast a quick glance around the table but quickly returned her attention to him. She offered him a timid smile.
“How does the evening find you?” he asked.
“Well, and you?”
“Well. I trust that your journey did not tire you out?”
“Not at all. It was a pleasant carriage ride.”
Her plate was a modest one, and she was precise with her cuts. After every bite, she dabbed the corners of her mouth. Beatrice motioned to him and gave an encouraging smile. Conversation rose around the rest of the table, and Nathaniel became acutely aware of the silence that existed between him and Honoria.
“How are you finding the food?” he asked, struggling to think of anything more interesting to say.
“It is delicious. I would expect nothing less, however. Her Grace spoke of your crops.”
“We do enjoy a good harvest,” Nathaniel said. He reached out for his glass of champagne and took a long sip, trying to think about what to say next.
“How is your family?”
“They are well. They look forward to receiving word from me. Might I have the tools to write a letter?”
“Of course, I shall have a servant bring them to your room.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
A few moments of silence passed between them again. He wasn’t used to this. With Charlotte, it was hard to get a word in.
“Do you enjoy writing?” he asked, the words feeling lumpy in his throat, as though he had entirely forgotten the act of conversation.
Honoria tilted her head.
“I suppose that would be an appropriate description, although I only compose letters. Anything else is best left to those who have reason to pursue such matters.”
“And you do not have a reason?”
