Edmund looked away, raising his eyebrows.
“I’m not sure what you mean by that. She seems lovely, if a little quaint.”
“You did call her boring, Edmund, no matter how much you try to deny it,” Charlotte reminded him.
Lydia gasped in horror.
“That’s awful! She’s not boring; she’s just traditional.”
“I call many people many things; you should have learned by now not to take me so seriously,” Edmund said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Anyway, with all this talk of marriage in the air, I think it is a prime opportunity for you two to meet people.Lydia, why don’t you go and stand with Grandmother? She can start a conversation with anyone,” Edmund suggested.
Lydia smiled brightly and veered off toward Agatha, who was currently speaking with a group of people. Charlotte watched as Agatha’s face lit up, reaching out her hand for Lydia’s, her eyes shining with pride.
“As for you, dear sister,” Edmund said with a mischievous smile.
Charlotte held up her hand.
“We have had this conversation many times before, Edmund.”
“And we shall have it many times again. Look around you, Charlotte. There are so many people, and meeting each one is an adventure! If the Iron Duke can find his match, then why can’t you? Oh, look, here comes someone now.” Edmund chuckled to himself, gesturing beyond Charlotte’s shoulder.
Charlotte turned and blanched as she saw a stranger approaching her. Or was he a stranger? There was something familiar about him. He was of medium height and had a distinguished look. His hair was graying at the temples, and he had bushy mutton chops sweeping along his cheeks. He smiled.
“Who is he?” Charlotte said under her breath, turning toward Edmund, but he was already moving toward the stranger.
“Duke of Stonewood, but you can call me Edmund. I have the pleasure of introducing my sister, Lady Charlotte Hartley. And you are?”
Edmund shook the man’s hand. Charlotte cringed inside and wished for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I’m Baron Winstanley, and forgive me, but I am already acquainted with Lady Charlotte, at least from afar,” Baron Winstanley said, arching his eyebrow playfully and smiling in Charlotte’s direction.
“Oh, how intriguing! Charlotte, you are being coy,” Edmund teased, standing between Charlotte and Baron Winstanley.
“Forgive me, Lord Winstanley, but I’m afraid I do not recall the circumstances of our acquaintance.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to, My Lady,” he said, nodding in deference and showing that he took no offence. “As I said, I know you from afar. We have both attended lectures on botanical matters. We share a keen interest.”
“I see. I apologize for not recognizing you at first. Now that you mention it, I do recall seeing you.”
“What a strange coincidence,” Edmund said, far too happy for his own good in Charlotte’s opinion. Still, she thought, it was pleasing to meet someone with a similar interest to her own.Perhaps speaking about these matters would help take her mind off Nathaniel.
“I would prefer to call it good fortune, Your Grace. Lady Charlotte, might I ask your opinion of Professor Hamway’s most recent lecture?”
“Excuse me, but I believe an old friend is calling me. I’ll be within sight if you need me, Charlotte,” Edmund said, and moved away a short distance.
Charlotte sighed and shook her head.
“I don’t believe there is an old friend. He simply doesn’t want to listen to a conversation about botany.”
“Few do; more’s the pity. It’s why I sought you out when I saw you. I find these events rather trying, in truth.”
“As do I. As for your question, I thought he made some excellent points, but I think he relied too heavily on using examples from his travels. Unfortunately, we do not have access to as many plants as he did.”
“I felt the same way,” Baron Winstanley leaned closer and lowered his voice. “If you ask me, I felt as though he took the opportunity to boast about his exploits. The lecture seemed as much about his pride as it did anything else.”
There was a pleasing twinkle in his eye, and Charlotte appreciated his candor, so she did not seek to escape their conversation.
“I much preferred Professor McFadden’s lecture. I enjoyed the way he found such beauty in his native Highland plants.”
