“Hear, hear,” Charlotte answered, feeling at least a little peace at understanding her own thoughts. Lydia’s infectious attitude was starting to seep into her own. The girl might just prove to be her saving grace.
***
Lydia made good on her promise of adventure, for not two days later she was arm in arm with Charlotte, walking through Hyde Park and overlooking the Serpentine. Today the waters of the Serpentine were abustle with excitement, many groups of rowers pulling in unison as they sped along in their boats.
“How tiring that looks,” Lydia mused.
Charlotte laughed. “Is walking through these gardens for what feels like hours less exhausting?” She pushed her long, full skirt out of the way of a large bush.
“Well, of course. We are but walking, and they have to exhibit their strengths, analyze each other’s movements, and then play off them and eventually synchronize—”
“And are we any different? Your sole plan today was to come here and walk until someone or something interesting presented itself. It seems to me that being part of a rowing club is not that different from finding a beau. As eligible females, we exhibit our strengths, analyze the other players, and hope that sometime we’ll be able to synchronize with one of them.”
At this, Lydia threw back her head and laughed. “Goodness, how right you are. Perhaps tomorrow you and I should come in trousers and see if we can steal a boat.”
Charlotte looked down at her drop-waist dress with its long sleeves. Much different from trousers. “Itisrather nice to have a female friend here. I am far too used to spending time in the company of at least one of my brothers.” She shouldn’t have mentioned her home. A pang of sadness tried to grip her, but she rallied. “Instead of boats, what if tomorrow we came to the park to paint? I know that makes us less mobile and therefore less able to happen upon someone of the male persuasion, but I think it would still be diverting.”
“Oh yes. Painting is much superior to trousers.” Lydia waved a hand in excitement. “That will be lovely.”
“What will be lovely, Miss Croftsbarrow?”
From behind, Charlotte recognized the voice of her brother, and when she and Lydia turned, a mischievous grin overspread his face. He tipped his hat from atop his horse. “Good morning.”
Charlotte eyed her brother and another gentleman near him. Lydia exchanged a furtive glance with her, and Charlotte knew her friend would be mortified if the men had heard the whole of their conversation. The blond-haired gentleman in a fashionable frock coat and straight trousers dismounted after her brother, and they tucked their reins about the same tree. He had a pleasant face and an easy smile as they walked up to the ladies.
Christopher smiled. “I was riding through the park and came upon an old friend from Harrow, Lord Harris Ainscough. When I saw you two ladies, I thought I ought to make the introduction straightaway.” He gestured first to Lydia. “Miss Lydia Croftsbarrow and my lovely sister, Miss Charlotte Roylance.”
“A pleasure to meet you both.” Lord Ainscough took Lydia’s hand first, and when he followed with Charlotte’s, it seemed he lingered on her fingers a bit longer than he had with her friend. Or perhaps the sun was doing funny things to her head.
Charlotte smiled at Lord Ainscough and her brother. “Would you gentlemen like to take a turn with us, then, since you have already abandoned your fine mounts?”
“Certainly,” Lord Ainscough said, and Charlotte noticed how pleased her brother was at her suggestion. His approval eased her a little. She’d done something right in his eyes.
“Lord Ainscough,” she started, “are you new to London, or do you make Town your primary residence?”
“I own an estate in Staffordshire and have been there the past year.” He smiled. “I am staying now with Lord Westcott, the Earl of Dudley, whom I think your brother also knew at Harrow, but I can assure you your company is much better.”
Charlotte chuckled, glad for the man’s easy manners. “How nice to hear. Now, tell me.” She lifted her eyebrows in a tease. “Did you play as many pranks on others as my brother did at Harrow?”
“My goodness. Finding chinks in my armor already, are we?” He laughed.
“I suppose.”
He grinned. “There was one time...”
He regaled them with a few of their clever yet harmless exploits, and Charlotte noticed Lydia’s smug smile that two eligible gentlemen had happened upon them.
As Charlotte smiled and responded with an occasional “I see” or “My goodness,” she wondered if she’d rue the day she’d met him. But perhaps, just this once, she should be grateful to her brother for such an introduction. Lord Ainscough seemed perfectly amiable and was blessedly free from the pompous self-importance of most men she’d met in Town. If nothing else, he might at least prove to be a welcome distraction from her guilt of leaving little Walter—and Alex—behind.
Chapter 8
Pipe smoke hung thick inthe air of Mr. Cartwright’s office, but Alex tried to keep his head clear despite the dizzying smell. “If you’ll just examine these drawings, sir,” he said, opening his notebook. “Your workers will be safer with the improved ventilation.”
A grumble issued from somewhere between the pipe and Mr. Cartwright’s tight lips as he leaned his rotund form over the drawings. “That would mean altering the whole mine. It takes too much time. We were forced to implement a few safety measures years ago, and those will suffice.”
“But, sir—” Alex protested.
“Don’t you try again with me, boy. You acquire Alnwick Mine from Mr. Wilkinson and the Otterburn lands from Mr. Roylance, and then I’ll consider listening to another proposal. Until then, donottest my patience.”
