“Of course, it does not diminish his love for you, Mama. Such a thought never entered my mind.” Charlotte forced a smile to reinforce her lie. “Papa didn’t even know you at the time.”
“Oh, he knew me well enough. Georgianna and I were dear friends.”
Charlotte blinked back her shock. “Are you saying that your dearest friend eloped with Papa’s dearest friend?”
“That’s right!” Mama’s green eyes, a mirror of Charlotte’s own, twinkled. “I will forever be grateful to Georgianna for being brave enough to take charge of her own future because in doing so, she helped me take charge of mine. It took half a year and a great deal of patience on my part for your papa to open his heart and trust another woman, but once he did, he has never looked back.”
“So that is what you meant earlier when you said that it is up to a woman to find love, secure it, and thereby ensure her own happiness?”
“Precisely, my sweet. A woman needs to take an active part in her future as you have done by refusing unsubstantial proposals, but it’s equally important not to become jaded and to remain open to receiving love—as your papa eventually did—so as not to deny yourself happiness. Of course, he would never have had that opportunity if I had simply shrugged my shoulders and given up trying.”
Charlotte gazed at her mother with renewed admiration. She’d always understood and appreciated her strength, but she’d never imagined that her mama had taken charge of her future in this way. She’d assumed that her parents had been blessed with luck finding each other. She didn’t know exactly how love worked, but she’d always believed it occurred naturally, like something that was meant to be. It couldn’t be forced—that much was still true in her mind—but now she understood that finding love could be a little more complicated, especially for a woman, whose happiness depended on making a good match.
“If everything turned out for the best, then why is Papa still so upset today? Why do these two men despise each other when they both ended up with exactly what they wanted?”
“Pride, my dear. Your papa felt betrayed by Warsham, a trusted friend whom he’d always taken care to protect. Your papa is a clever, cautious man who has increased his wealth by making sound investments over the years, whereas Warsham squandered his money and made several bad investments. He owed debts, and your papa helped him by making him a loan. Of course, your papa demanded immediate repayment of his loans after Warsham betrayed their friendship, and no doubt Warsham thought Georgianna’s father would cover them, but her papa was furious she’d defied him, so he cut them offwithout a penny. Warsham eventually managed to raise the money elsewhere and paid Papa, but the scandal of his initial inability to cover his debts together with the elopement was too enormous to overcome, and he fled England.”
“That sounds rather awful,” Charlotte said.
“Not entirely. He didn’t run away to live in poverty. Georgianna would never have allowed that. I believe it was her good sense that convinced her husband to join the military. And over the years, he has managed to redeem his reputation through a stellar career in the army. I believe he has distinguished himself in many battles and is now a well-respected, retired general. Moreover, Mrs. Warsham’s papa, Sir Richard Freemont, recently died and left his entire unentailed fortune to his grandson, which is, I expect, why they have returned to London. Still, some continue to gossip. And I suppose General Warsham blames your papa for that. But more likely it is the current Sir Freemont, upset because he inherited the title without the fortune, who has enflamed the gossip.”
“Poor, Papa!” Charlotte said, a sudden swell of protectiveness rising in her chest. “He is unfairly blamed.”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. This feud—like all feuds—is not one-sided, nor is it rational. As much as I love your papa, I know him to be very pig-headed when it comes to Warsham.” Lady Rose threw up her hands. “I don’t know why these otherwise two reasonable men cannot let bygones be bygones after all these years. It’s all ancient history and rather silly. I am furious with your father for getting himself into such a state. A quarrel that has no bearing on the present is not worth having heart failure over.”
Jane reentered the parlor and set down the tea tray. She was followed by Dr. Warren.
Charlotte stood up immediately. “How is Papa?” she asked, wringing her hands.
The doctor waited for Jane to leave before answering. “He’s well enough now that I have given him something to calm his nerves and sent him upstairs to rest.” He glanced at Lady Rose. “But, there is more to discuss, I’m afraid.”
“I imagine there is, Doctor. Won’t you sit down and join us for tea?”
“I think I will, thank you.” He sat, and Lady Rose poured three cups of tea and, after adding the requested sugar and cream, handed one to Dr. Warren.
The doctor sipped his tea before saying, “This resurfacing of ancient business with General Warsham isn’t going to do Sir Benedict any good. He worked himself into a frenzy today, and I fear the stress will put unwanted pressure on his heart.”
“The fool!” Lady Rose said. “Imagine getting worked up over a quarrel that occurred more than five-and-twenty years ago. Whatever happened then, both men have been blessed with good fortune since. Sir Benedict and I have been blissfully happy together.” Lady Rose tutted. “To risk his health over something that matters so little when he has been so blessed. It’s a shame!”
“Pride can be a terrible thing, Lady Rose. And it has caused the death of many men. These two men—once great friends—still feel the sting of betrayal, and that hurts a man’s pride. Each man is masking his hurt with anger.”
Lady Rose shook her head. “When will it end?”
“Now that Warsham has returned to London, the feud must be put to rest. I understand that you and Mrs. Warsham have no quarrel with each other.”
“No, indeed, we have remained friends, writing to each other now and then over the years.”
Charlotte cocked her head, once again taken by surprise. Her mother was fast becoming a woman of mystery.
“In that case, the two of you must work together to restore peace. If not, the consequences for your husband could be dire.”
Charlotte clutched her stomach as it seized up at the thought of what these dire consequences could mean. Poor Papa had lost a friend and gained an enemy. But her mama could lose a husband, and she, her beloved father. The doctor was right. The feud had to end, and peace had to be restored. But what could she do to help? There had to be something. She would do anything to ensure her papa’s health and happiness.
Chapter Two
Berkley Square, London
“You should haveseen his face when I won the hand of cards and took his money. He was so puffed up and red it looked like he was about to combust.” General Warsham put down his knife and fork, raised a glass of red wine to his lips, and took a long, satisfying gulp. “Superb, truly superb,” he said, motioning to his servant to top up his glass.
