“I hope I do not interrupt.”
“Not at all,” Elizabeth said. “We are only engaged in industry.”
Charlotte glanced toward the table. “So I see.” She refrained from commenting upon the arrangement of the room, nor upon Elizabeth’s position within it. She never did. There was consideration, certainly—she chose her place deliberately, spoke with awareness—but there was something more as well. Something Elizabeth had never quite named. Charlotte treated her as though she was unchanged. Not unaltered—never that—but not diminished. Elizabeth valued it more than she could easily express.
Charlotte took a seat beside her.
“And what have you heard?” Elizabeth asked.
Charlotte folded her hands in her lap. “Everything, it seems.”
Lydia leaned forward eagerly. “Then tell us what is true.”
Charlotte’s lips curved. “That depends upon what you wish to be true.”
Kitty laughed. “We wish him to be agreeable.”
“And rich,” Lydia added.
“And accompanied,” Kitty said.
Charlotte inclined her head. “Then you will be pleased. He is said to be all three.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “A most convenient combination.”
Charlotte glanced toward her. “Indeed.” There was a brief pause. “I shall not attend alone,” Charlotte said.
Elizabeth tilted her head. “No?”
“A gentleman of my acquaintance will be present.”
Lydia’s interest sharpened immediately. “A gentleman?”
Charlotte inclined her head. “Mr. Tipton, of Stevenage.”
Elizabeth leaned slightly closer. “And what sort of gentleman is he?”
Charlotte’s expression remained composed, but there was a brightness in her voice. “An agreeable one.”
Elizabeth’s smile deepened. “And how long have you known this agreeable gentleman?”
“Long enough.”
“And formed an opinion?”
Charlotte met her gaze. “Yes.”
Elizabeth did not retreat. “A favorable one, I hope.”
Charlotte’s lips curved. “Very much so.”
Elizabeth allowed a moment to pass, then said lightly, “Then I must ask—when is the wedding to occur?”
Charlotte gave a soft huff of amusement. “Your imagination is very rapid.”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “I merely follow the evidence before me.”
Charlotte leaned closer, her voice lowering slightly. “I believe,” she said, “that I shall be married before the end of the year.”
