Duty warred with desire, and he could only see there being one winner.
While he was lost in thought, the musicians were about to strike up another song when Agatha marched into view, waving her hands to quiet the musicians. She turned to the crowd.
“And I would like to make an announcement myself. This occasion could not have taken place without the planning of Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of Winthrop. I have never met anyone else who possesses such exquisite attention to detail. She has been a gracious host since our arrival, and I am proud to call her a dear friend. Please let’s give her a round of applause.”
Agatha turned to Beatrice, who was standing at the side of the room, still looking rather emotional. Agatha led the applause,clapping more loudly than anyone else. Beatrice smiled awkwardly as the noise filled the hall.
Nathaniel clapped his hands together firmly, feeling the impact of palm against palm. Beatrice had done so much for him, and he was unable to repay her by giving her a marriage to the perfect wife. Deep down, he sensed that his behavior had played a role in driving Honoria away.
He had been distracted by Charlotte, and he wondered if this would ever change. Perhaps when she returned home, he might find some peace. But even then, he sensed that it would just lead to more anguish.
Ever since their first meeting, there had rarely been a day that passed without him thinking about her. And now that she was on his estate, this only intensified. The world seemed to come alive when she was standing before him.
Did that mean that when she left his company, everything would die?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Charlotte and Lydia were relaxing in Mary’s room. Clara was also present, playing with a doll. She was chatting happily to herself, mimicking fragments of conversations she had heard the previous night. Mary wore a contented smile.
“It was so nice of His Grace to give his blessing in the presence of so many people. I hope that you don’t feel any doubt about his feelings toward you now, Mary. It’s clear he is proud to have you as part of his family,” Lydia said.
Mary sighed happily and clasped her hands together.
“It was everything Alfred and I had hoped for. While we were almost certain that we would receive his blessing, there was still a part of me that feared he would turn around and say that Alfred deserved someone better.”
“There is nobody better than you, Mary,” Lydia replied.
“Thank you, cousin. I just hope I can live up to his expectations. I did mean to thank him for his words, but he stole away rather quickly.”
“He must have been disappointed about what happened with Lady Honoria, I imagine.”
“Yes, I wonder what caused her to leave,” Mary mused.
“I suppose we shall never know, but we shall still have one marriage to celebrate. Are you nervous?” Lydia asked.
Charlotte remained quiet, deep in thought, still thinking about the events of the dance. It was all a patchwork in her mind. There was the envy of seeing Nathaniel dancing with Honoria, the mixed feelings of having Lord Winstanley declare his intentions for her, and then the complicated feelings elicited by Nathaniel.
Mary laughed softly.
“You may think this surprising, but no. I am just excited.”
“Really? There are no nerves at all?” Lydia gasped.
“When you are marrying the right person, there is nothing to be nervous about. I am more eager to begin our lives in earnest than anything else. I have borne the Sterling name with pride and honor, but I am ready to take the Blackwood name now.”
“It all sounds so wonderful. I hope that I get to feel this way one day.”
“I’m sure you will, dear cousin. Did you happen to meet anyone at the dance last night?”
“No, it seems as though attention was drawn elsewhere,” Lydia said, her words lingering in the air. It took Charlotte a couple of moments to realize that they were looking at her.
“Sorry, did I miss something?” she asked.
“You have been distracted today, Charlotte; is everything well?” Mary asked.
“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?” Charlotte was a little too defensive for her own good, drawing her arms across her chest, leaning back, welcoming a shadowed expression over her face.
“Would you care to speak about anything that happened last night? It was quite a sight to see you dancing with a baron and a duke. I wasn’t sure you were capable of enjoyingtwodances at a single event.” Lydia leaned forward. Her words vibrated with the sound of laughter.
