Elizabeth lowered her voice conspiratorially. “That yellow gown ahead resembles a custard tart.”
Charlotte bit back a laugh. “Your Grace.”
“Well, it does,” she said happily.
A passing gentleman tipped his hat respectfully. “Good day, Your Grace.”
“Good day,” Elizabeth replied graciously with a head nod.
Another lady curtsied politely as they passed. “Wonderful to see you, Your Grace.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly. “Thank you, Lady Fenwick.”
Charlotte quietly exhaled in relief each time someone merely greeted Elizabeth and continued onward. So far, nobody lingered long enough for confusion or awkwardness to arise.
See? Victor worried for nothing.
Elizabeth was perfectly composed, perfectly pleasant, and clearly enjoying herself immensely. Charlotte felt rather triumphant about the matter.
“I told your son fresh air was necessary,” she murmured lightly.
Elizabeth patted her hand. “You were correct, my dear.”
Charlotte tried very hard not to look too self-satisfied. As they continued walking, Elizabeth nodded toward the lake ahead with sudden amusement.
“Do you know,” she said, “many years ago I witnessed the greatest folly imaginable right there upon that water.”
Charlotte’s brows lifted immediately. “Indeed?”
“Oh yes,” Elizabeth replied eagerly. “A gentleman attempted to impress a young lady by rowing her himself. He stood up mid-boat to bow dramatically and tipped them both directly into the lake.”
Charlotte burst into laughter. “Surely not.”
“I assure you, society discussed nothing else for three weeks,” Elizabeth declared. “The poor girl emerged covered in pondweed whilst her mother screamed about ruined muslin.”
Charlotte laughed harder. “How dreadful.”
“The gentleman later married her,” Elizabeth added thoughtfully. “Entirely out of guilt, I suspect.”
“That may be the most romantic scandal I have ever heard.”
“It was certainly entertaining.”
Charlotte was still smiling when three elegantly dressed women approached them from the opposite direction. The eldest gasped pleasantly upon recognizing Elizabeth.
“Your Grace!” she exclaimed warmly. “How wonderful to see you.”
Elizabeth brightened immediately. “Mrs. Holly,” she said. “It has indeed been some time.”
The woman curtsied while her two sisters followed suit. “We are delighted to see you looking so healthy,” one sister said kindly.
“And out enjoying the sunshine at last,” added the other.
Charlotte relaxed slightly. Everything remained perfectly normal. Then Elizabeth smiled fondly and destroyed everything entirely.
“And this,” she announced proudly, “is Miss Charlotte Brown, Victor’s betrothed.”
Charlotte nearly stopped breathing.
