“Well, I still appreciate it so much. I find drawing is a favorite escape for me. As I said, Dorothea schedules so much for me every day.” She giggled. “I should not tell you this, but the other day when we were visiting Brentwood and I played for you after dinner—oh,pleasedo not tell anyone I said this, but my sister had me practicing three hours a day leading up to our visit in order for me to have those pieces memorized.”
Frederick laughed. “And here I thought you were simply extraordinarily accomplished at the pianoforte.”
“Well, I am not, believe me. But, if I fooled you and Mr. Morton into thinking so, then my sister’s aims were accomplished.” Her face turned serious. “I do enjoy the pianoforte, but more so if I can play just for myself and not an audience.”
“Your audience did indeed take great pleasure in it, however. That must be some consolation to you.”
“You are so kind.” She smiled shyly at him, before continuing to work on her sketch.
They worked silently a while before Frederick ventured, “I hear my brother paid Haverstone a visit Sunday afternoon and that you walked the gardens with him. Did he by chance ask you anything in…particular?” He hated himself for such an obvious ploy, but he was aching to know if she had promised her hand to Robert. He held his breath and watched her set her lap easel aside and stare off before replying.
“He did.”
She said no more, and Frederick felt his heart thudding hard his chest. He knew he should let the matter drop, but he could not. He had to know.
“And…will you share with me what he asked you? Tell me, am I to wish you both joy?”
“No. Not yet,” she whispered, still not looking at him. “He…he asked me to promise him three sets at the upcoming ball my sister and brother are holding. The first, third, and fourth.”
“Three sets. I see. And, did you grant them?” He stared at her lovely face, which he had drawn once in real life and three times since then from memory, wishing he might reach out and cup her chin in his hand to pull her to him and kiss her. But, he sat, stoic, his hands clenched and holding his breath as he waited for her answer.
“I did. However, I should so wish to ask if—oh, I know it is very unseemly for me to speak thus, but I fear you might be reluctant to ask me yourself,” she spoke in a rush, avoiding his gaze, “and Dorotheawill quickly fill every available dance with other gentlemen the night of the ball, so pray forgive my boldness in asking if you…if you would consider being my partner on the fifth set?” She covered her face with her hands, waiting. How could she have spoken so?
Frederick swallowed hard before trusting his voice. “I should be honored, Miss Kendall. And, pray, do not feel ashamed of speaking in such an open and frank manner with me.” He forced a laugh. “Like our lessons, it is just one more secret between us I shall always keep.”
The greatest secret of all, however, is my utter and complete love for you.Words he so wished to speak aloud, but knew he could not.
Charlotte peeked at him between her fingers, then lowered her hands and smiled. “Thank you. I shall look forward to it with as much anticipation as any other partner I shall have that night.” She rose and collected her art materials. “We should go. Let us find my niece. Lucy!” she called loudly. Waiting, she heard nothing in reply. “Lucy!” Again, no response. Suddenly anxious, she reached out to grip Frederick’s arm.
“Where could she be? Oh, Mr. Morton, help me find her at once.”
“She last went in this direction, did she not?” Frederick said, grabbing his and Charlotte’s art cases. “Come, she cannot be far.”
The two hurried down the hill, both calling Lucy’s name repeatedly as they entered the woods. Looking frantically around her, Charlotte could see no sign of her niece.
“Should we split up? We could cover more ground that way,” she said.
“No, I think it best we stay together. If she is injured in some way, you will need my assistance.”
“Lucy! Lucy!” called Charlotte. “Where are you?” Tears sprang to her eyes. “Oh, Mr. Morton—how shall I ever forgive myself if she…she…”
“Now, now, do not anticipate the worst, Miss Kendall. I am certain she is well. She said she was going to hunt for crawdads, did she not?Let us go find the stream.”
As quickly as they could manage, the two continued their search, pausing now and then to call for Lucy, and to listen for any sound. As they neared the stream, Charlotte halted abruptly.
“Wait—I think I hear something.”
They paused to listen and in the distance caught the sound of running water and someone crying.
“Lucy!” Charlotte ran toward the sound, heedless of the branches snagging at her dress. After a few moments, she saw the girl on the bank on the far side of the stream. Her weeping niece sat in a wet dress, clearly distressed. “Oh, my dear girl. Are you injured?” Charlotte asked.
“Auntie Charlotte!” the girl cried. “I was reaching for a crawdad when I slipped on a wet rock and turned my ankle. It hurts terribly to walk. I have been waiting and waiting for you.”
“I am so sorry, dearest. I am here now.” Charlotte bent to remove her shoes to fetch Lucy, but Frederick pulled her back.
“Allow me, Miss Kendall. I have boots more suitable to the task.” He splashed across the stream and reached the sniffling child. “Now, Miss Gillingham, I am going to lift you in my arms and take us both back to your dear auntie. Is that all right?”
The girl nodded and held her arms up to him. He lifted her easily and carried her back across the stream where he gently set her down upon a log. Charlotte knelt to examine Lucy’s ankle. It was swollen and looked tender.
