Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Charlotte felt stifled at dinners. The conversation amused her, but she found the people uninteresting. That particular night, she had found someone who was completely different. She looked across the room to see a woman with flaming red hair and the palest completion. Her animated story had most of the room engaged.

She even managed to change her empty glass with a full one mid sentence, entertaining the crowd. She had a pleasant conversation with Lady Miller and learned they had an actual pirate as a guest.

"Who is that?" Charlotte had asked Lady Miller.

"That would be Bonny. She is sailor of sorts," Lady Miller replied.

"I think I will go over and greet her." Charlotte excused herself.

Charlotte became even more enamored when Lady Wells introduced her to the lady.

"My Lady, allow me to introduce Miss Bonny O' Hare," Lady Wells said, introducing her while her husband stared at Charlotte. "Miss O' Hare is the Captain of her own vessel," Lady Wells continued, unaware of her husband's lechery.

"My Lady, ‘tis such an honor to be invited here tonight," Bonny said with a well pronounced Irish accent.

"Miss O'Hare, you are most welcome here. I would love to hear about your travels," Charlotte replied.

"Where would you like me to start, My Lady?" Bonny asked.

"If I may, how did a lady come about obtaining her own vessel?" Charlotte said with interest.

Bonny's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. "My Lady, my vessel belonged to my father. He surpassed his era. He believed his daughters were equal to any sons he could have had," Bonny said with pride.

"An inheritance. I am sorry for losing your father. He sounds like a wonderful father," Charlotte said, thinking of her mother.

"Never met one that came close, My Lady." Bonny replied with a slight gravel to her voice.

"So, how much treasure have you found?" Charlotte asked with wide eyes. Bonny laughed and Charlotte was glad to have distracted her from her sorrows.

"Actually, My Lady, my crew are on a voyage to find one of legend," Bonny said in a hushed whisper.

"That is a pity. I had hoped to join you in search of lost gold," Charlotte countered.

"I will send an invitation the moment she docks, My Lady," Bonny said, without missing a beat.

"I shall hold you to that. Now I am not sure about you. I feel rather parched." Charlotte looked about for the closest place to find a drink.

"I am almost always parched, My Lady. ‘It is the way of the sailor." Bonny followed Charlotte in search of refreshment.

"Then let us remedy that," Charlotte said, as she walked with Bonny and Lady Wells to see where the tray of drinks had gone. She searched the room for the duke's whereabouts. When a couple moved, she could see him conversing with Tristan and Cecil. He took a sip of his drink and found her gaze. Charlotte smiled, and he returned it. Their subtle thoughts of seeking each other touched Charlotte deeply.

Do not mistake gentlemanly behavior for fondness! Charlotte reminded herself. How did society become like this? You can marry a man and hardly know him, never have him love you.

"Would you not agree, my lady?" Lady Wells' voice floated into her thoughts.

"Forgive me, Lady Wells. Would you mind saying that again?" Charlotte asked as she felt a blush creep up her neck.

"Not at all, My Lady. Bonny might want to visit the factory I mentioned," Lady Wells said again.

"The factory! What a wonderful thought. Yes, that would be something you may find of genuine interest, Bonny," Charlotte said, as she thought of the Miller family mill. They had stayed true to their name and had been in the woodworking industry since man set sail on the ocean.

"In that case, My Lady, would it be possible to discuss a business proposition? I understand that might be more your husband's area of expertise. Would it be too forward to ask for a meeting, my lady?" Bonny asked Lady Miller.

"Cecil would be delighted to see you, I'm sure. I shall send word in the following week," Lady Miller said pleasantly. Charlotte looked at the two ladies and felt happy to be among genuine people. They all had money and titles, yet nothing about their calm, honest demeanor spoke of it. Charlotte saw the duke and excused herself when she noticed he had moved away from his company.

"Are you enjoying your evening, My Lady?" the duke asked as she approached him.

"You keep such kind, earnest company, Your Grace. I feel most fortunate to be among them," Charlotte replied earnestly.

"You do not know how thrilled that makes me to hear you say that, My Lady. Have you had something to eat and drink? It is just that moving about all evening can be tiresome," The duke said with a small guffaw.

"Yes thank you, Your Grace. I am, however, saving room for the main course," Charlotte proclaimed.

"Thinking ahead, what a good quality. My aspirations are similar, though. I am simply saving room for the pudding." The duke gave her a mischievous smile.

"If the pudding comes with such high recommendation, Your Grace, then I shall take your advice." Charlotte realized they might have just had a flirtatious moment. The duke smiled a warm smile as dinner was announced.

The soup was a hearty one made with stew ingredients. Murmurs of appreciation could be heard as guests began their meal. Next, they were served duck with steamed vegetables and gravy. Extra platters with venison were brought out for those who preferred it. The desert was a baked cake. A round of applause broke out the moment the chef and his assistant brought it out.

Once most guests had eaten, they thanked the duke and made their way to their carriages. Those of noble blood knew they could now enjoy more fine wine and excellent tea.

"Your Grace, thank you for going to all this effort. I have had a wonderful evening," Charlotte said as they spoke before entertaining the rest of their guests.

"It was no effort at all, My Lady. Not in doing anything for you." The duke said in a soft voice meant for her ears only. Charlotte had not the faintest idea how to respond to his statement. "I must say I envy you, My Lady. I would much rather have more cake than a drink."

"Your Grace has a powerful love of sweets." Charlotte said in good humor.

"I believe that is why I have become most taken with you, My Lady." The duke smiled cheerfully. "I do apologize, My Lady. This particular wine seems to loosen my tongue. I wish you a fine evening with the other ladies." The duke gave her a slight nod and left to join the waiting gentlemen.

Say something to him. He is leaving. Tell him now! She thought as he went further away from her with each moment of hesitation.

"Your Grace." Charlotte called out to him. He turned back to her. "I… just wondered if you needed anything."

"That is most kind, My Lady. I would like if you could join us all for cards after. This is an activity for both ladies and gentlemen," he said with a smile.

"Yes, Your Grace. I would like that indeed," Charlotte replied. He then turned back in the direction he had been going before she had stopped him.

Charlotte had been courted once or twice before. With the duke, it had a completely different atmosphere about it. He made her feel safe and sought her company out above others. This alone made Charlotte wish he could have been the man she spent the rest of her life with.

The tea had been filled with laughter. Charlotte felt she could tell her new group of friends any detail and they would accept her. She had been able to tell a good person from a bad one with far more skill as a child than most adults ever did in their lifetime. Not one single lady in the room made her feel any discomfort in their presence.

It is a shame my own sister can not manage to be as civilized! Charlotte thought, and her heart sank for an instant.

A servant entered and announced that the card table was prepared. The ladies thanked her and made their way to their waiting gentlemen. Charlotte felt proud to stand beside the duke.

"Do you enjoy cards, My Lady?" The duke leaned towards her as he asked.

"I do, Your Grace. However, I have poor luck when playing." Charlotte downplayed the truth.

"I am sure it is not that severe," he said encouragingly.

"I once lost my puppy to my sister, Your Grace." Charlotte said still saddened at having lost her pet.

"I hope she took care of it, My Lady," the duke said, with such genuine concern that her heart felt almost at its bursting point.

"My father insisted she return it, Your Grace," Charlotte said with a satisfied smile.

"That brings me great relief, My Lady."

"I have something for you, Your Grace." Charlotte said softly as she handed him a neatly folded napkin.

"What is this?" he asked, as he opened the parcel with care. Once opened he found a piece of cake and a biscuit inside. "My Lady! Thank you so much."

"You did say that you would have preferred more cake, Your Grace." Charlotte said with a smile.

"This will be the very best piece of cake I have had all night, thank you My Lady."

"It is my pleasure, Your Grace."

The duke took a small bite and relished it. Charlotte giggled at his over-exaggerated enjoyment.

They shared a long smile as a servant came to deal the cards to the guests. Once each had the same number of cards, the game could begin. Bonny, who sat opposite Charlotte, already had a grin on her face as she secretly looked at the cards she had been dealt. The gentleman beside her was her escort. Since each player here was a couple, it would be improper for her to be present without representation.

Charlotte, in truth, had remarkable luck in games of chance. She wanted to see how the duke would act if he believed she may change his fortune dramatically. Charlotte held her cards close as the duke leaned in to explain the rules. Charlotte enjoyed the calm, patient way he spoke. She found it difficult to concentrate when, as the duke spoke, his warm breath on her neck played havoc with her senses.

"Are these any good, Your Grace?" Charlotte asked, though she knew they were.

"Why yes, My Lady," the duke said as he leaned in a bit closer. "I would say that most of our guests are going to lose here tonight," he said with admiration.

"I think it would only work with your help, Your Grace." Charlotte said in a manner that held more meaning that any of them dared ponder on.

"Then I shall be glad to assist, My Lady." The duke gave her a tender smile.

"Now, now you two," Cecil said jokingly as they both turned to see their guests were waiting on them.

"Start the game," the duke declared, and they all cheered. It was not long into the game when Charlotte noticed three of their guests were in almost constant conversation. It would not have bothered her as much if it were not plain that they were speaking ill of the duke. They kept looking at him and then turning to each other to speak.

Charlotte willed them to stop. She knew her temper would not contain this insult much longer. She disliked conflict, yet would not stand by while a kind man like the duke was being disrespected by his guests. Charlotte leaned in and heard parts of their conversation.

"Absolutely absurd," one said.

"Does he think anyone would believe this farce?" Another chimed in.

"I could not agree any more. He must be worth more than we thought. After all, who would want a cripple?" the last said, and they burst out laughing.

I wish I had not heard that, was the last thing Charlotte could think before her temper flared. "I say, I enjoy a good laugh." Charlotte said, and the room fell silent.

"My Lady it is a personal matter," one explained. Charlotte stood from her seat and the gentleman did the same. Charlotte usually found this embarrassing. Now all she could focus on was the three who had laughed at the duke. She seemed to float as she made her way towards them, her stormy green eyes trained on them like a predator.

"Perhaps so, however, since you found it necessary to speak so loudly, I could hear your personal matter. To be honest, I feel it is a muttair I take most personally." Charlotte's French accent became more pronounced as her temper spoke for her.

"My Lady, we meant no disrespect," one said nervously.

"I do want to believe you. The hindrance lies in the fact that your demeanor speaks otherwise," Charlotte replied with an eerie calm.

"You would accuse me of lying, My Lady. I fear you may be overstepping," the same one said.

"You are overstepping, sir," Charlotte said in a dangerous tone. One that let know that it might be wise to not push her any further.

"I will ask you to leave, Sir Cavendish." The duke spoke in an authoritative tone.

"Your Grace?" Sir Cavendish said in utter disbelief. His face turned red to the point where it could be seen traveling to his neck. "This is an outrage!" He said before storming out with his two female companions. "You have made a grave error this day."

It took a few moments for the knowledge that the duke had taken her side, to sink in.

"Are you unwell, My Lady?" the duke asked.

"I do believe I am better now than I was moments ago, Your Grace. I feel horrid about my behavior before our guests. I do hope you will forgive me. It may be better if I were to leave." Charlotte said, not being able to bear having disgraced the duke the way she had.

"Whatever are you speaking of, My Lady? You had every right to challenge anyone who shows you rudeness, especially in your own home." The duke said with such care that Charlotte felt even closer to tears.

"If you are quite certain, Your Grace." Charlotte said, the disbelief evident in her voice.

"I am, My Lady," he replied gently.

After servants had escorted the three guests out, it seemed some had loyalties with them and they too left. Charlotte watched with dismay, believing she had caused a rift in the duke's court.

"Let them leave. They have made their decision," the duke said, with a comforting smile. After another hour, Cecil made his excuses and left with his wife and another couple. Bonny had turned to her escort and was now facing him, in conversation with only each other.

"I have to tell you that I appreciate how you spoke up earlier, My Lady."

"I am so glad to hear that, Your Grace. I had feared that I had disgraced you," Charlotte said with an amount of relief that surprised her.

"Not at all, My Lady. I find that I quite like it."

They played the card game further, and the night was one where they all spoke freely and made light of any tension that arose.

Lady Wells had won a new statue, Bonny had made money and Charlotte had won the entire game. The prize had been one of the duke's finest and oldest wines, along with a basket of eats.

Charlotte wondered if she could be as brazen as to ask the duke to enjoy these with her.

They soon said goodnight to a very joyful Bonny and her escort, who had introduced himself as Baron Du Pont, expressed their gratitude for being welcomed and bid them a good night. Charlotte saw that her father was seated nearby. That meant that with their guests not all gone, that they were suddenly enjoying a more intimate evening. The duke looked to Lord Wentworth, who gave a nod. He was free to spend time with Charlotte.

"May I sit with you, My Lady?" He walked up to Charlotte.

"I would be delighted, Your Grace," Charlotte looked up at him and replied.

"I know one is not supposed to mention it, My Lady. Well, you see, the thing is… is that I too made a wish at the fountain. I feel since it has come true, that I can say what it was." The duke said with the most emotion that she had seen since meeting him.

"I would very much like to hear what it was, Your Grace," Charlotte said in a tender tone as he looked into her eyes.

I think I'm falling in love with my future husband! Charlotte admitted to herself.

"Your Grace." A groomsman stood at the door looking disturbed.

"Yes, what is it?" He asked without taking his eyes from hers.

"Your Grace one of the horses needs attention. We think he might be glanded, Your Grace."

Henry's expression went from loving to grief stricken. "Excuse me, My Lady. This is rather serious."

"Will the animal be alright?" Charlotte asked even though his grave expression told her she would dislike the answer.

"No, My Lady. It might even affect the other horses. I will do all that I can so that they do not suffer." He said starting to shake visibly from emotion.