“I don’t know where he gets his energy,” Mary said.
“He has always been the same. Edmund has never been one to enjoy quiet moments. He loves being around people. It’s where he shines. Other people find themselves more comfortable in the shadows. That’s when they feel they can be themselves,” Charlotte said pointedly, taking a strand of hair between her fingers and twirling it.
Nathaniel cleared his throat. She anticipated a wry rejoinder, but instead she was taken aback for the second time that night.
“Lady Charlotte, would you like to dance?”
Charlotte stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. The words seemed unreal. The question felt like a dream, or a joke, or an illusion. Nathaniel should have been dancing with Honoria. Why was he asking her to dance?
Was this another way to mock her?
But the look in his eyes, the tone of his voice… it wasn’t the same as before.
And she couldn’t say no.
“I would be honored, Your Grace.” She offered her arm. Her heart quickened. Heat rose to her cheeks. Nathaniel bowed his head.
“If you’ll excuse us,” he turned to Mary. Mary met Charlotte’s eyes and smiled warmly, as though something was being proven. Charlotte wanted to cry out to her and tell her that this didn’t mean anything, that all of Mary and Lydia’s speculation had no basis in fact, but she would have been lying.
Nathaniel’s arm was strong. Murmurs and whispers swirled around them. Charlotte didn’t pay attention to any of them. All she could think about was the strength of his arm, his scent pulsing in the air, and the very presence of him that dominated her mind and her vision.
As they stepped onto the dance floor, they turned to face each other. Charlotte had to tilt her head back to look at him. They were so close once more that her breath caught in her throat for a moment as she thought he might take her into his arms and kiss her again.
Not in front of this many people, though. No, here their secret was stronger between them, like an iron chain linking them together.
“I’m glad you are enjoying the ball since I know it is not your preferred occupation.”
“The same could be said for yourself, Your Grace.”
“My duty makes it impossible for me to miss events like this.”
“There’s that word again. I hope that Lady Honoria has a similar respect for duty.”
“I’m sure she does.”
Charlotte quickly turned her head, looking for Honoria, wondering if she would take offence at seeing her and Nathaniel dancing together, but Honoria was nowhere to be seen.
“And what opinion of duty does your dancing companion hold?”
“A different kind than you,” Charlotte replied quickly. Nathaniel bristled and seemed irritated by her answer.
“I’m surprised you have found someone with a similar mindset to you. I would be wary of a man who does not respect the idea of duty.”
“I’m careful around men who place duty on a pedestal and worship it.”
“I do not worship it.” Nathaniel’s nostrils flared as he spoke. Charlotte merely responded with a questioning raise of her eyebrow. Nathaniel turned his head for a moment.
“I would rather a man respect me,” Charlotte said in a low voice. This brought Nathaniel’s attention back to her. Surprise flashed across his face for a brief instant.
“Duty is the backbone of our society.”
“People are the backbone of our society. Duty is just a concept. You cannot marry it. You cannot court it. You cannot ask it to dance. It should not take precedence over people. Even over yourself. May I speak frankly, Your Grace?”
“I wasn’t aware you were capable of doing anything else,” Nathaniel replied. Charlotte ignored the taunt.
“You have been taught to value duty over everything else, but why cling to duty when it has a detrimental effect on other people? I ask again, would a little flexibility truly ruin your life?”
“What other people?”
