The sound of her father clearing his throat brought her attention back to the conversation.
“To own the truth, Father, I am not sure I wish to be married. I even doubt Icanfall in love,” Charlotte said softly. “It is not my nature, for I have never had those romantic dreams that other young ladies seem to have.”
“Nonsense. Every woman wishes for marriage and children. You will change your mind once you get there and meet the eligible gentlemen of the county. Begin packing, for the Gillingham carriage will arrive for you in three days’ time.”
Hearing the dismissal in his voice, Charlotte nodded and rose to leave, her happy mood from an afternoon of painting now as vanished as the morning dew on the grass.
*
At dinner thatevening, Charlotte ate little and silently pushed her food back and forth on her plate. The conversation at the table swirled around her, unnoticed, as her thoughts drifted back to her discussion with her father. She gave a start, realizing her sister-in-law had called her name repeatedly. She turned to find Lavinia staring at her.
“Are you ignoring me, dear sister?” Lavinia asked, her eyebrows raised and lips pursed. It made her thin face look even longer, if possible, but she had been considered quite pretty when Miles Kendall began courting her. At six and twenty, she could still be called moderately handsome.
“I am sorry, Lavinia. Pray, forgive my rudeness.” Charlotte gave a perfunctory apology. “My thoughts were elsewhere.”
“Most likely on your upcoming trip to Haverstone,” Lavinia cooed. “How fortunate you are to get an invitation for such a long visit. Why, Miles and I have never stayed more than three weeks, and yet you will be there for the entire summer—nearly four months.”
“I…I always enjoy being with Dorothea. However, four months is such a long time. I shall miss my home.”
“Yes, but if things turn out as we all hope, you will soon have a new home of your own—will that not be nice?” Lavinia turned to her husband, who was speaking to his father about an issue with a tenant farmer. “Miles. Are you not thrilled for your sister? Off on her grand adventure. She is sure to return to us engaged, do you not agree?”
Miles nodded in agreement and smiled at his younger sister. “Indeed, we wish you great success in making a match, Charlotte. I am sure Dorothea will find someone agreeable to you. Someone, perhaps, who shares your love of the out of doors, music, and the arts. That would be ideal.”
Lavinia gave a shrill laugh—which once perhaps sounded musical but now was closer to a cackle. “Ideal? My dear, let us not forget your sister will turnone and twentythis summer. She cannot afford to be choosy, after all.” She turned a stern face to Charlotte. “Pray, allow me to advise you: if a man can be found who has a decent enough income and is willing to take you on, what does it matter whether he shares an interest in all the things you enjoy? Many a marriage has been settled between two people who have but little in common yet it has been more than content. It is not as though you will spend that much timewith him during the day, after all. You will keep busy managing the house and the servants, and—” she paused and Charlotte saw a flash of pain—or was it envy—in her eyes, “—perhaps there will be children, too.” She turned her attention back to her plate as she said fiercely, “What matters is that you find an eligible match and persuade him to propose before your bloom is quite gone.”
Charlotte noticed her brother and father were once again in private conversation and were no longer listening. She took a slow breath before replying lightly, “I fear you would have me accept anyone at all, Sister, with little regard to my future happiness. And, although I do not believe I will be easily persuaded to think myself in love, I have told Father I shall do my best to be agreeable and submit to Dorothea’s plan.”
Lavinia gave a simpering smile. “That is all anyone asks, my dear. But remember, with a scant thousand pounds as a dowry and since you are no great beauty you have little but your charms to recommend you. You are very nearly as bad off as our brother Gilbert, who was unfortunate enough to be born the second son who will not inherit the estate. Of course, when he returns from his studies a new curate, he can at least work for his bread, and, as the son of a gentleman, can expect to marry reasonably well. Your future, on the other hand, depends on you making a good match, sodomake an effort. You can be charming when you put your mind to it. That is all anyone asks, my dear. Since you are not likely to attract the affections of averywell-to-do gentleman—or a member of the nobility, of course—perhaps a second or third brother from a good-sized estate might come to care for you. You could end up a rector’s wife, or be married to an officer and travel the land.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Truly, I confess I am envious of the time you will have at Haverstone—the many dances, dinners, family visits, and so on. ’Twill be quite a change from the dull routine here, though I would not say so to Miles for the world. I could not have him think I am not contentwith our life. I just…I just wish we could be blessed with children. It would help fill my days…” She fell silent, staring at her plate.
Charlotte felt an unexpected pang of sympathy for her sister-in-law and reached out to gently pat her hand. Lavinia snatched it away.
“Of course, I have my good works for the less fortunate in Doddington, too,” Lavinia muttered. “That must suffice.”
*
That night asshe prepared for bed, Charlotte sat at her dressing table, angrily combing out her thick hair. Lavinia’s comment at dinner about her looks had stung. But deep down, Charlotte knew her brother’s wife was simply being honest.No one would call me a great beauty. But, am I so very bad looking? Is that why I had but the one offer?
Charlotte set down her brush and turned her head this way and that, studying her face in the mirror. Shewasa bit plain, though not unattractive—no one would call her homely. She was certainly not the beauty Dorothea was when she captured Lord Gillingham’s heart. And, even after birthing one child and nearing her thirtieth year, Dorothea continued to be spoken of as exceedingly handsome.
Charlotte sighed at her reflection. A sprinkle of freckles marred an otherwise fine complexion. Her face was rather square with a firm jawline, like her father’s. Her gray eyes were more thoughtful than sparkling, and there was nothing remarkable about the shape of her mouth, though she had good teeth. Her deep auburn hair seemed to be her best feature. Would that be enough to attract a suitor? Why could she not have taken after their blonde, lithe mother, as Dorothea did?
Charlotte quickly fastened her hair into two braids, rose from her table, and knelt by the bed to say her prayers. She felt ashamed of her earlier complaints to her father about Lavinia turning her bedroom into a still-unused nursery and made sure to ask God to bless Laviniaand Miles with a baby. She rose from her knees, climbed halfway into bed, then dropped down again for one additional prayer.
If I must marry, Lord, I ask You to send me a sensible, kind, intelligent man. One who loves to read, please, if it is not too much to ask. Amen.
Chapter Two
Robert Morton satin the library of his London town home, his mood as gloomy as the gray, wet weather he could see through the window. An unusual, early-June rainstorm had moved in, which would most likely spoil plans for Lady Waddingham’s outdoor garden party the next day. Robert had hoped to attend. He was eager to see a certain Miss Phoebe Graham and hoped to further his acquaintance with the petite, pretty, and flirtatious young lady.
The two had already danced together at three prior gatherings, and Robert found Phoebe pleasant enough, even though her conversation was lacking in any great intelligence. But then, Robert had no sisters and had spent little time in the company of fashionable young ladies; perhaps they all behaved in this manner.
In addition to her honey-blonde hair, slim figure, and infectious giggle, Miss Graham had one other very attractive feature—she was an “orphan heiress,” having inherited a fortune of five thousand pounds following the death of both of her parents in the West Indies last year. She now lived with her maiden aunt in a respectable part of London and had just turned eighteen a few months earlier. The fortune would become Robert’s upon their marriage, although the approval of Phoebe’s aunt was still necessary. However, as the owner of a sizeable estate, Robert could foresee no probable objections.
Good looksandmoney in one very presentable young lady. Quiterare, and precisely the jackpot every eligible man sought during the summer London Season. After all, why marry for love alone when you could also bring new money into the family? Robert had seen how popular Miss Graham was among the ton and knew if he were to secure her affections and lock her into an engagement before anyone else, he must work fast. Now, out of mourning, Miss Graham was making the most of her appearances at garden parties, in the fashionable parks, and at museums. It seemed to Robert she was often showing off a new gown. Perhaps she was looking to stand out during the marriage mart now underway.
I hope she is not burning through too much of her inheritance before I can get my hands on it. She is fortunate her father left her money and not a pile of debts, as mine did.
A knock at the door interrupted his musings.
