Charlotte’s chest tightened.An escalation of this already horrible situation would be terrible for Papa’s health.
Lady Rose straightened her back and said, “That sounds a tad far-fetched.”
“I can assure you—” Mrs. Warsham looked from Lady Rose to Charlotte—“it isn’t. General Warsham identifies as a soldier. He will never surrender what he sees as a battle. Therefore, it will do us both a world of good to put a stop to this conflict by any means available.”
“Just what are you proposing?” Lady Rose asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? My son needs a wife, and my husband is going to make that difficult for him. And your daughter needs a husband. She has turned away every eligible bachelor in England. They say that no man will ask for the Rose of Mayfair’s hand in marriage for fear of certain rejection.”
Is that what people are saying about me?Charlotte glanced at her mother, surprised to see her fiddling with her gloves rather than refuting this claim.
“And even if that proves incorrect, her beauty will not last forever. She will need to pick a husband soon. And what better way is there to bring our two families together than through marriage?”
Charlotte inhaled sharply.Marry the son of Papa’s enemy? Never! It will kill him!
“And you want me to facilitate?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said coolly.
“I do.” Mrs. Warsham nodded.
“What say you, Lady Rose?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked.
“It would be a shock to Sir Benedict, of course, but he loves his daughter more than his own life. I think if Charlotte were truly happy then he’d put his grudge aside.”
Charlotte could not believe her mother was entertaining this mad idea. “It won’t work. I couldn’t be happy marrying a man I don’t know. I have indeed rejected many suitors since my first season,” Charlotte said. “But you know it’s because I mean to marry for love or not at all.”
“I believe we had this conversation, Charlotte. You promised to open your mind and heart to finding love, did you not?”
Charlotte bit her lip. She had indeed made such a promise, not only to her mama but in her prayers as well.
“Many women come to me, and for good reason.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon turned to Charlotte. “Because they trust me to help them. If I am to work with you, then you must place your trust in my judgment and expertise. I have facilitated hundreds of matches over the years. Men and women have made me rich for want of my services. I solve problems for people, Miss Rose. Do you want help solving yours?”
Charlotte nodded. She did want help, not only for her papa but also for herself.
“Then you would have no objection to meeting Mr. Hugh Warsham, would you? I can tell you that he is a frequent visitor to my establishment and always conducts himself like an absolute gentleman. Moreover, he is a striking young man, and when news gets out about the fortune he is to inherit, it will make him very eligible this coming season. As I have already stated, I have been successfully bringing people together for many years, and I think you and Mr. Warsham will make an excellent match. Why not take advantage of this offer and get to know the young gentleman in question before the season begins,when you will have to share him with many eager ladies? All you need do is befriend him and see how it unravels from there.”
Charlotte hesitated. Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s description of Hugh Warsham coincided with what Madam Rouen had said about him.“He’s a good sort—a real gentleman,”she’d said. Charlotte turned to her mama. “I don’t know. It feels as if I’d be betraying Papa, befriending the son of his enemy.”
Lady Rose reached for her daughter’s hand. “You are only agreeing to meet the young man, and if all goes well, you will be helping, not betraying Papa. Georgianna and I have remained friends despite this feud, and if her Hugh has been graced with any of his mama’s fine qualities, then you will be lucky, indeed.”
“I can attest that my Hugh has none of his father’s stubbornness or love for conflict, but he did inherit the general’s strong sense of loyalty to his country and family, and therefore, he will be the most faithful and steadfast of husbands.”
“If he is as loyal as you say, he will not want to have anything to do with the daughter of his father’s enemy,” Charlotte pointed out.
“I said loyal, my dear, not stupid. He agrees this feud is nothing short of ridiculous and will want to spare his papa the unnecessary stress to his health the same way you wish to spare your papa’s health.”
“But won’t General Warsham see his son’s friendship with me as a betrayal?” Charlotte continued, still convinced this mad idea would never work. “Aren’t you risking their relationship with this scheme?”
“Hugh is our only son and the general’s pride and joy. It may take some time, but I know my husband. He is a soldier, but he is no Agamemnon. He will not sacrifice his child to win a war.”
“But how will this all work?”
“That’s where I come in,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said. “I will, of course, facilitate all your meetings, which must be kept private.We won’t want your Sir Benedict or General Warsham getting wind of anything. The people in my establishment understand my rules around discretion. What happens within these walls is strictly between the parties involved and is not shared with anyone else.”
Charlotte chewed the inside of her lip. She had to admit this scheme sounded far more exciting than making the rounds at yet another dull season. Besides, this was the only plan they had. And, mad as it seemed, she had to give it a chance. What harm could it do if Papa never found out? At the very least, she would have taken steps to try and end this conflict. And, if by chance they were a good match, then she might indeed find true love and bring their two families together again. “Very well.” Charlotte looked at Mrs. Dove-Lyon. “I’ll agree to meet Mr. Warsham and see how it all ‘unravels’—as you put it.”
“Excellent,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said. “Return this evening and be sure to wear that veil of yours. I have an idea for a game that will work in your favor.”
“A game?” Charlotte blurted.
