“No, not at all,” Charlotte said, blushing even harder. She had felt already like she was falling in love, and had done herbest not to think about it. Now, avoidance was an impossibility. Her affection had grown immensely, and her desire for Mary was more than a passing fancy. Every kiss, every glance, every heartbeat confirmed her fate. “It is simply—”
“No need to explain,” Mary interrupted. “I understand. We have all the time in the world, and I do not want you to think I am rushing you.”
Charlotte opened her mouth to correct this statement, then closed it. Of course Mary believed that her love was indefinite, but once Charlotte was out of sight and out of mind, she would surely feel differently. It would be churlish to point this out, for Mary remained stubbornly insistent on seeing the rosy side of everything. Charlotte smiled, rather than spoil the moment, and they held hands all the way back to Canterbury.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
In the foyer of Mary’s home, they removed their coats and gloves, handing them over to Pitt. Charlotte followed Mary into the drawing room, wondering idly what Miss Brodie was planning to make for dinner, and whether they had time to sneak off and make love beforehand. She closed the door behind her, and took her place on the couch next to Mary. Leaning in for a sweet kiss, Charlotte felt now-familiar sparks of desire crackling between them.
“My dear, I have—” Mary said, pulling away and smoothing her dress over her knees. “I want to ask you something.”
Her stomach dropped. “What is it?”
“You needn’t look so afraid, darling.” Mary gathered Charlotte into her arms and held her close. “I merely wanted to ask if you might consider staying here? With me?”
Relief bloomed low in her gut. “Yes, I could stay a bit longer, though I must return to Kent by the end of next week. Lady Catherine will expect me to be packed upon her return.”
“No, I do not mean an extension of your visit. I mean, would you like to move here for a while? Several months, perhaps? You could send your things here rather than home to LucasLodge. I’m sure your parents wouldn’t mind one whit, and of course they’d be welcome here too.”
“Oh, I…” Charlotte blinked. “I couldn’t trespass on your time in such a way. What would Cecily say?”
“I will write to her, but I cannot see that she would have a problem with it. I am in love with you, and she will be glad I am happy.”
Charlotte stared at her blankly. She could not have possibly heard correctly. “Pardon, I did not quite… You’re in love with me?”
“Yes. Why, what did you think I meant in the garden?” Mary arched an eyebrow, her expression quizzical. “I told you I would be yours, indefinitely. How else could one interpret such a thing? If you were a man, I would marry you in an instant.”
A strange sensation thrilled through Charlotte; something bubbly and joyful, undercut by a feeling of foreboding. “You would?”
“Of course.”
Mary had said it so lightly that perhaps it was only intended as a jest. “I would marry you too,” she said, and meant it. “If only things were different.”
Now it was Mary’s turn to pause, studying her. “Why do you say it like that?”
The atmosphere had thickened. Charlotte pulled back and stood, feeling suddenly graceless and awkward. “Well, it is the truth, is it not? We could never marry.”
“I hadn’t realised that was such a problem.”
Charlotte’s jaw dropped. “Do you not think it one?”
“Not really, no.” Mary looked hurt. “I believe we could keep house as well as any couple, married or not.”
“And what would I tell my family?” She turned and paced towards the window, not knowing what else to do.
“Tell them what you like.”
She turned back, biting her lip. “It would not be the truth.”
“That would be your choice.” Mary’s smile was grim. “Are you saying this changes nothing?”
“No, of course not. It changes everything, for me. But in the larger world, there are expectations of me that I cannot—”
“And do not you think there are expectations on me, too? Pressures to marry, snide comments, occasional suitors looking to inherit Cecily’s favourite niece’s fortune?”
“Money makes a lot of problems go away,” Charlotte pointed out.
“Hence why I am encouraging you to accept Mr Mellor’s offer. You would not need to worry about landing a husband, and you would have money and freedom to do as you pleased and go where you liked. It is a great opportunity to be independent, Charlotte. Please do think it over carefully.”
