“Yet they do,” he said, gritting his teeth.
“I should have thought you would want to spend more time with your betrothed. I would hate to tear you away from her just when you are getting to know her.”
“And I would hate for anything improper to happen when I am in a position to prevent it.”
The fractious energy caused by their disagreement made Charlotte’s heart quicken. It was an intoxicating feeling that pulsed beneath her skin. However, it became clear that he was not going to budge on his position.
But Charlotte still had a plan.
“Then I shall accompany you as well and learn how to be a chaperone so that when I am older and in a position, I will know just what to do. I’m sure that I shall be learning from the best. Or would you prefer me to stay with Lady Honoria?”
Nathaniel snarled and glanced toward Honoria.
“Perhaps it is best you should come. I wouldn’t want Lady Honoria unduly influenced by radical opinions,” he said. Charlotte smirked, having gotten her way. Clearly, he didn’t know Honoria well enough yet because if he did, he would have known that she wouldn’t be swayed.
The four of them departed, leaving Edmund alone with Honoria and Lydia. Nathaniel seemed to believe that Edmund was more of a suitable chaperone than Charlotte, which made her laugh inside.
They strolled through hidden lanes behind houses, meandering through the town with no particular direction in mind. Alfred and Mary leaned toward each other. Although they spoke in low tones, their words were still audible. She and Nathaniel were only a few paces behind.
Nathaniel walked with his hands clasped behind his back, leaning forward with a hawkish gaze. It never wavered from Alfred and Mary, as though something scandalous was going to happen the moment he blinked.
“I think we should offer them a bit of privacy. As much as I love Clara, she is overwhelming, and she takes up a lot of time and attention. I’m not sure Alfred and Mary enjoy as much time together at the estate as they should.”
“Some might say they should not enjoy any time together at all unchaperoned until they are married.”
“Then give them your blessing, and this won’t be an issue.”
“The time is not right,” he said, his tone harsh. Charlotte still couldn’t see the reason. She then gasped and stopped walking. She feigned a stumble. Nathaniel turned. A mixture of frustration and concern danced on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think there’s a stone in my shoe,” she said. She reached down and fiddled with her shoe. Nathaniel looked away, not daring to steal a glance at her feet. She gently pried the shoe away from her foot, just an inch, and made a show of rummaging around.
“I think it’s gone now,” she said. She then pushed the shoe back on, but stretched out her leg and rotated her ankle. “I just need to make sure that everything is working.”
Nathaniel glanced over his shoulder.
“They didn’t stop,” he muttered. “We need to catch up with them.” He then turned, his eyes blazing. “You did that on purpose. You wanted us to stop, so they could continue walking.”
Charlotte sighed and shrugged. “I’m afraid I did. I suppose I’ve failed the first lesson of chaperoning. I still have much to learn.”
“You are infuriating.”
“I’m sure Alfred and Mary feel the same way about you now. You could have watched them from afar and allowed them to speak privately.”
“That would not be proper,” he said. For a moment, it felt as though hostility was going to erupt between them again, and a full-blown, heated argument was going to take place.
But then he took a deep breath and regained composure.
“Now is not the time to argue about this. You played a trick on me, and it worked, but now, we shall return to our duties. Thankfully, they have not gone far, and it won’t take long to catch up with them. Let us not dally,” he said and turned to stride away, but Charlotte wasn’t finished.
“You care more about being proper than you do about your brother’s happiness,” she said.
Nathaniel turned slowly. The look on his face was a picture of pure indignation.
“I have never been so insulted in all my life. You dare to speak about my private matters in the open? You dare to assume you know the inner workings of my mind? My brother’s happiness is linked to propriety. Everyone’s is—which perhaps explains why you are so miserable.”
“I am not miserable,” Charlotte gasped. “And if I am, it is only because of the company I keep.”
