Elizabeth looked puzzled by the question as she reached for another biscuit. “He said your sisters required proper introductions to society and that it was his responsibility to see them settled advantageously.”
Charlotte stared quietly into her teacup for a moment.
Victor said that?
Something warm and dangerous fluttered unexpectedly low in her chest. She had spent so much time thinking of the duke as arrogant and impossible that moments of genuine kindness continually caught her off guard. He could be rude, infuriating, maddeningly improper, and utterly insufferable.
Yet he had agreed to help my family without hesitation.
Charlotte felt herself softening all over again despite her better judgement.
Blast the man.
Elizabeth smiled knowingly. “You are blushing.”
Charlotte nearly dropped her spoon. “I am not.”
“You are,” she said.
“It is warm in here, that is all,” Charlotte said.
Elizabeth looked unconvinced but mercifully allowed the matter to pass. Unfortunately, Charlotte’s own thoughts betrayed her next. Without warning, she remembered Victor at the opera box leaning close enough that his breath warmed her neck. She remembered the slow trail of kisses against her skin and thedeep voice murmuring wicked things into her ear while she forgot entirely how to think properly.
Charlotte’s pulse quickened traitorously. Then immediately she recalled entering that forbidden room to discover him half-undressed with another woman.
Her stomach tightened at once.
There. That is the real Victor. A rake. A shameless rogue who likely flirted this way with every woman he encounters.
Charlotte straightened slightly in her chair. She absolutely refused to become another foolish lady sighing over the Duke of Mulford.
Elizabeth interrupted her thoughts suddenly. “I should like a new dress.”
Charlotte blinked. “A new dress?”
“Yes. Something blue, perhaps.” Elizabeth considered this carefully. “Or lavender. Lavender is elegant.”
Charlotte smiled warmly despite herself. “Well, as it happens, I am visiting the modiste tomorrow with my sisters.”
Elizabeth gasped softly. “Truly?”
“Indeed. You are welcome to accompany us if you wish.”
The dowager clasped her hands together delightedly. “How exciting.”
Charlotte laughed softly as Elizabeth immediately began discussing fabrics with alarming seriousness.
“I absolutely refuse excessive feathers,” Elizabeth declared. “They make women resemble startled birds.”
Charlotte nodded solemnly. “A reasonable concern.”
“And no orange silk,” Elizabeth said sternly.
“Certainly not,” Charlotte said, amused.
The older woman laughed warmly before reaching for another cake. Charlotte found herself relaxing entirely in her company as she often did now. Elizabeth possessed a sweetness that made affection come easily despite her confusion and forgetfulness.
It also made Charlotte ache quietly inside. Because one day Elizabeth would remember none of this.
