Nora lowered her voice dramatically despite the fact that Charlotte could still hear perfectly well. “Possibly a chop house,” she whispered. “Or perhaps one of those pleasure gardens gentlemen frequent.”
Paula gasped outright. “Again?”
“Well,” Nora replied knowingly, “it would hardly be the first time.”
Charlotte froze where she stood. An entirely unwelcome thought slipped immediately into her mind.
He has not brought one of his so-called female companions to the house since I've returned, so does that mean he is going to their home? What scandalous behavior does he get into when he's not at home?
Her stomach tightened unpleasantly. Which was ridiculous. Victor was not courting her. They were not truly engaged. He owed her absolutely nothing beyond the terms of their arrangement.
And yet…
Charlotte pushed the thought aside sharply. She had already decided not to think about him that way after the incident in his study. Dwelling upon the duke’s habits, or his kisses, could only lead to disaster. Still, the image of him out all night in the company of other women unsettled her far more than it reasonably should have.
Annoying. Entirely annoying.
Charlotte cleared her throat loudly before stepping into the kitchens. Both maids jumped violently.
“Miss Brown!” Paula squeaked.
Charlotte kept her expression perfectly composed despite their obvious panic. “Good day.”
Nora turned crimson. “We did not realize anyone was there.”
“So I gathered,” Charlotte replied mildly.
The girls looked moments away from collapsing entirely. Charlotte decided, perhaps mercifully, not to mention the duke.
“Lady Elizabeth and I shall be leaving shortly for Hyde Park,” she said instead. “Would it be possible to prepare a few morsels for the journey?”
Both maids relaxed immediately. “Oh yes, Miss,” Nora said eagerly. “Cook already prepared lemon cakes this morning.”
Charlotte smiled despite herself. “Her Grace shall be delighted.”
As the girls hurried to obey, Charlotte lingered near the kitchen doorway, trying very hard to ignore the lingering irritation in her chest.
Victor Richards was free to spend his nights however he pleased.
So why does the thought bother me at all?
* * *
The carriage rolled to a smooth stop in Hyde Park, and Charlotte immediately noticed how bright the day had become. Sunlight filtered warmly through the trees while elegant ladies and gentlemen drifted leisurely along the pathways in colourful attire.
Carriages lined the road in neat succession, servants hovered nearby, and laughter carried faintly through the mild afternoon air. Beside her, Elizabeth positively glowed with delight.
“Oh, how wonderful,” the dowager sighed as the footman helped her descend. “I had forgotten how lovely the park becomes this time of year.”
Charlotte smiled as she followed her onto the pathway. “It is certainly crowded enough.”
“Naturally,” Elizabeth replied. “Society would expire entirely without opportunities to parade itself.”
Charlotte laughed softly. “You speak from experience, Your Grace?”
“My dear, I perfected the art of public admiration before you were born.”
Charlotte linked her arm gently through Elizabeth’s as they began strolling slowly beneath the trees. Around them, fashionable ladies displayed extravagant bonnets decorated with ribbons, feathers, and flowers that seemed increasingly absurd the longer Charlotte examined them.
