Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

I t was with clear distaste that Charlotte continued her lessons the following morning. She had a quiet supper with her godmother. The older woman had insisted even though Charlotte requested that a tray be brought up to her room. Abigail had been so anxious, not daring to refuse the Dowager Duchess.

“Don’t mind my nephew,” Theodosia had proclaimed. “He cannot have everything his way. But I must admit, he knows the ton and has more patience for teaching than I ever would. Keep up your lessons. The faster you learn, the faster he will leave.”

There was no denying that hearing this was more promising than Charlotte had anticipated. The Duke would leave once she was doing well and out in Society.

I’ll do better now, and be twice the lady I thought I could ever become. Then I’ll shove it in his face before he leaves for good. It’ll be splendid.

Her resolve strengthened. Even when they weren’t having lessons, Charlotte worked with her maid on dancing and walking and serving tea until it felt like her limbs would fall off. Then she’d refresh herself before starting all over again.

“I see a big improvement,” Adrian commented a week after her training had begun, as she was showing off her graceful stroll around the room. “I’m glad to see that. It’s just in time for today.”

She whirled around. “Today?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” he said in a mild tone. “The Season may not officially begin until this weekend, but there is an early event for some of the early arrivals. Aunt Theodosia agreed that it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you.”

Her heart stuttered. “But… I thought we had a few more days.”

Lowering his raised eyebrow, Adrian gave her a look that was more brooding than anything else. “It will go well,” he assured her.

She clenched her hands into fists at her sides before remembering that wasn’t something ladies did. Fidgeting with her gloves, she tried to gather her thoughts.

“Perhaps it’s too soon,” she said more to herself than to him. Her voice was low and even as if she was attempting to remove any emotion from it. “I’ve only had my family for most of my life—my father and my cousins. There was a country ball or two, but no one cared about politics or manners. Maybe he was right about never bringing me here for a Season.”

A scoff reminded her that she wasn’t alone.

“Is Lady Charlotte suddenly nervous about facing the ton?” Adrian teased. She braced herself for a nasty joke, but it never came. “Come now. If you can fight me about serving tea, then you can surely win anyone over this Season. I doubt you’ll be facing any dukes today at least.”

That must be one of the nicest things he has ever said to me. Goodness, I didn’t know that was possible.

Her shoulders relaxed. “No?”

“It will go well,” he told her firmly, leaving no room for her to protest or even negotiate. “I’ve already instructed your maid to prepare something for this afternoon. Garden parties are a perfect opportunity to meet new people and be introduced. Perhaps you’ll even find someone you know there.”

Charlotte doubted that, since she hadn’t been in London for quite some time. But she accepted his final instructions with a nod before hastening off to her bedchamber, where Abigail was laying everything out to prepare her for the occasion.

Out came the green dress she adored. Her maid said it was for good luck, and Charlotte couldn’t disagree.

Everything else took much longer, however—as it always did. They braided most of her hair around her head and curled the rest in the hopes it would remain that way until she returned home for the evening. She hastened down the stairs thinking someone would be waiting for her.

But only Mr. Lloyd stood there. He beamed upon seeing her and clapped his hands together, making her blush. “What a brilliant star you are! Her Grace would be very pleased to see you so splendid.”

“You are too kind,” she chided. “I don’t believe you’re paid to flatter me. Is, erm, Lady Theodosia joining us today?”

He nodded, his hands still clasped before him. “As a close friend to the Heathers, Her Grace left early to ensure the garden party would be a success.”

Probably so she might be among the first to judge it, I’m sure. But why did she leave without me? I doubt it’s proper for a single lady to arrive unchaperoned.

“Very well, Lloyd. I thank you for your assistance,” she offered politely before making her way out the door.

She hastened down the steps and headed to the open carriage, since it was such a lovely day. Still, she stopped in her tracks when she spotted the Duke sitting there. “You?”

Tipping his hat in a ridiculous manner, Adrian reminded her, “I do live here, and I did tell you about the garden party. Did you think I’d allow you to go there unchaperone? Perhaps we should go back to the library for more lessons.”

“Certainly not.” She scrambled inside. The need to beat him came to her mind. “I’m having my Season, remember?”

He grunted when she not-so-accidentally stepped on his boot before taking a seat on the bench across from him. He ordered the driver to move, and then they were on the road.

As she settled on her seat, Charlotte glanced over his finery and his overly snobbish expression. His nose was pointed in the air, and his garments fit him perfectly without a wrinkle in sight.

Hastily smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress, Charlotte tried not to look at him the entire journey. Neither of them appeared to have anything to say to each other until they were pulling up to the grand house of the Heather family.

“We’ll greet the hosts first.” Adrian straightened up. He looked quite the duke now, tugging at his cuffs with his eyes fixed on the house. “Then Aunt Theodosia and I will introduce you to some of our friends.”

“Friends?” It came out more meek than Charlotte had intended, but she didn’t regret it when he shot her a look.

He stepped down. To her surprise, he waved away the footman and turned to offer her a hand. “Don’t you recall? I’m a duke, and everyone wishes to be friends with a duke.”

She did not miss the fact that he failed to mention he had any friends or that he wished to be friends with anyone. She pursed her lips, waiting for him to make another snide comment. Possibly about being charming. But he didn’t, which piqued her curiosity.

I cannot find any weakness in this blasted man. He is in his prime. Handsome and dashing and proper and clever. The worst of it all is that he knows it.

The day was sunny and so hot that Charlotte felt sweat trickling down her back on their way to the garden. She’d greeted the hosts, with her godmother on her left and Adrian on her right. As she stepped into the gardens, she eyed the vines over the gray stone before they cleared to reveal a beautiful space for guests.

It was civilization in the middle of the Garden of Eden. Tables and blankets were spread out for people to sit on, while refreshment tables were set up beneath a tent. Servants moved about, carrying drinks on silver trays.

Everything was in shades of pink and blue. It was beautifully coordinated with touches of silver and crystal. Half the guests matched as well. Charlotte realized too late that she should have considered wearing lighter colors. Debutantes usually wore white. And here she was, blending in with the vines.

“Charlotte!”

She whirled around with a gasp as Eleanor approached her with a wide smile and bright eyes. Trailing behind Eleanor were her brothers, Roger and Nicholas. The three of them were the children of her uncle, the Duke of Henley.

“What are you doing here?” Charlotte asked, remembering in the last second to keep her voice low.

Stepping around his sister to offer a dramatic bow, Nicholas winked at her. “We couldn’t let you have all the fun, could we? Lady Heather is a close friend of our mother’s.”

“She said I could come so long as my brothers were here.” Eleanor twirled around. “I wore my favorite dress for this. Yet, I don’t quite care to be here all the same. I’m going to go to the library now. Oh, how I miss you!” The women embraced. “You look lovely, Charlotte. Doesn’t she, Nicholas? Roger?”

Nicholas chuckled. “The loveliest. And if you’re escaping now, then so am I.”

“Roger?” Eleanor prompted.

They all turned toward Roger, who would inherit the duchy after his father’s death. He was standoffish—that was all Charlotte could think about when they were together. Distant, quiet, and judgmental also followed. As his father’s heir, Roger was learning to manage his future responsibilities with severity and more attention than he ever paid his family. Still, they tried.

“Hmm?” He glanced at them before turning back toward the party. “Yes, whatever it is you need.”

Sighing, Eleanor rolled her eyes. Then she launched into a conversation about the interior of the house while nudging Nicholas, who was eyeing a tray of delicious-smelling food. As for Roger, he straightened up when three young ladies started in their direction.

“My Lord!” The leader was a short, curvy blonde who beamed. She fluttered her fan while batting her eyelashes at him. “What a delight to see you in town so soon this summer. An absolute delight.”

“Indeed. Allow me to introduce you to my siblings,” Roger said. He included Charlotte in the lot, before introducing the girls.

Charlotte only focused on the young woman, however.

Lady Eloise Hyderlin, the daughter of a marquess. She had only spared Charlotte one glance so far—one that was hardly kind.

Until, of course, Adrian joined them. “You purchased the horse I had my eye on, Lord Roger,” he noted. “I should like to visit your stables and invite you to a game at White’s. Do you gamble much?”

Roger chortled. Charlotte watched them in amazement, unable to hear anything Eleanor was saying.

“You will not steal my horse from me, Wakefield,” Roger drawled.

“Oh, never. I would merely win it from you.”

The men merely grinned at one another, but Lady Eloise laughed like it was the joke of the century. Charlotte turned back toward her cousin. Eleanor was reading a new book about music theory that contradicted much of what she had been taught in her youth.

“What a delight to have such fine gentlemen here. We are so fortunate to have your company at such a dull party!” Lady Eloise proclaimed.

The fan in her hand brushed against Adrian’s elbow. It was a casual motion. A light touch that was flirtatious but innocent. Still, Charlotte couldn’t resist pursing her lips in annoyance. She didn’t like the way Lady Eloise was talking with the two men.

“Quite fortunate,” Adrian drawled. Charlotte stiffened as he turned to her. She tried to warn him with her eyes not to draw attention to her, but he refused to listen. “You have Lady Charlotte to thank for that. Another debutante and my aunt’s guest. We—or more particularly I—escorted her here.”

“Her Grace’s guest?” Lady Eloise echoed.

She glanced at Adrian before turning her attention to Charlotte. A smile spread across her face as she moved past the men to stand before her, nearly a full head shorter. The proper height for a woman, Charlotte thought.

“How fortunate you are, Lady Charlotte. You will certainly be a star this Season. We must become the best of friends.”

Surprise halted Charlotte’s train of thought. She stared at the woman before her, trying to determine whether she was genuine or not.

She sorted through her feelings before finally nodding. “I thank you. I suppose friends could be rather useful and… appreciated.”

“Exactly what I suspected.” Lady Eloise flashed their small party a grin. Smaller, as Charlotte realized Eleanor and Nicholas had already disappeared. “You poor dear, you’ll need someone to guide you throughout the Season. How quaint it will be with a soul like you amongst the ton.”

“Yes, I…” Charlotte sucked in a breath as it slowly dawned on her that the woman didn’t mean it.

She couldn’t prove that the words were unkind, but there was a glint in Lady Eloise’s eyes that she didn’t trust.

I can argue with Adrian all day. I can hold my own against my godmother. As for my father, we could negotiate. My cousins and aunt have never been a concern. What are the rules in this case? I don’t have a fan to smack her with, and I don’t know what I could say back. If it was just Adrian, then I might speak up. But Roger is right there…

“Is something wrong?” Lady Eloise pouted at her.

“It is too hot,” Charlotte muttered.

Adrian cleared his throat before stepping up to her side and offering her his arm. “Indeed. Why there are no tents, I can hardly guess. Why don’t we find a quiet spot under the tree and have some refreshments?”

Charlotte nodded immediately. “I think that sounds good.”

“Your Grace,” Lady Eloise started.

“My aunt is calling us,” Adrian said by way of an excuse. Or an apology.

And then off they went, walking slowly but surely with their backs to Lady Eloise and Roger. Charlotte gently laid her free hand on her stomach.

“Are you well?”

She swallowed, refusing to look Adrian in the eyes. “I will be.”

“Is it too much?”

“Certainly not,” she replied, ignoring her upset stomach. It was the heat, that was all. She refused to consider anything else, like weakness. “It’s merely warm. And…”

Adrian waited and then said, “Go on.”

Huffing, she shook her head. “I don’t think everyone here likes me.”

“Why is it important to be liked? Mind you, that is London. People are liked and then they are not. They will always change their minds, so you shouldn’t concern yourself so,” he added in a low voice while bringing them to a halt under the promised tree.

Immediately, it was a few degrees cooler, and Charlotte relaxed. Realizing her hand was still on his arm, she pulled away to put some distance between them.

Still, he looked at her. “I told you to prepare yourself, Lady Charlotte.”

“But you didn’t warn me about people being rude,” she said with a scowl.

Adrian sighed and glanced away, before shrugging in such a nonchalant way that she couldn’t help but stare. “Stay here for a moment, Charlotte. I’ll fetch us some lemonade, and you can drink that before we rejoin the party.”

He was gone by the time she opened her mouth to thank him. Pressing her lips together, she nodded to herself and turned to study the party.

Everyone was enjoying themselves. There were musicians in the shade of the house, and the attendees were laughing and chattering away. It appeared like everyone knew one another. She watched, remembering how often she had wished for the day she would be a part of all this.

Now, I would rather be far away. The irony.

Adrian kept his word; he brought a delightfully refreshing drink back to her. They enjoyed their drinks in quiet solitude before he took her back to the party. Charlotte felt a little better as she stood beside Theodosia.

“You look ill.”

She turned to the Duke. “I’m feeling better.”

“You hate this, don’t you?” He eyed her and dropped his gaze. Her cheeks flushed before she realized he was glancing down at her untouched plate. “Very well, we can take our leave now.”

Charlotte opened her mouth and closed it. She had been doing her best to be the young lady everyone expected her to be. Proper, well-behaved, and articulate.

Perhaps it is the nerves.

“Charlotte, do you really wish to stay?” Adrian asked dryly. “I’m taking my leave now, so you can always stay with my aunt if you like.”

“No. No, I’ll go.” She handed off her plate at once and then took his arm. “I’m ready.”

He nodded curtly, steering them toward the hosts to thank them, and then they headed toward the door. However, just as they were nearly free, three men walked in and immediately greeted the Duke.

“We were sure the rumors were false. The only way the Duke of Wakefield would return during the sailing season would be if he were dragged here,” said the shortest of the lot. He grabbed Adrian’s hand and shook it heartily, while the others watched them with wicked grins. “Here and early for the Season, are you?”

“Here and leaving,” Adrian corrected him.

One of the three was a famous barrister whose name Charlotte vaguely recalled—Mr. Borden, probably. Then there was the first man, Lord Morseth, a future earl, and then the tall Lord Wicklow, the third son of a marquess.

They greeted each other like old friends. It was clear they had wicked fun together in the past, but she had gathered that their lives had gone in different directions.

“It isn’t one of my most interesting cases,” Mr. Borden argued as he was asked about his work. “It is merely the loudest. A dead man wished to leave his fortune to a horse, but what can a horse do with three estates and thousands of pounds?”

Snorting, Lord Morseth said, “He can buy his way into the races, I’m sure.”

Charlotte shifted her weight from one foot to another. She was mostly ignored as the gentlemen spoke. Although Adrian had caught her eye a time or two, he hadn’t yet made any move to leave. Any care he had minutes ago had evaporated in these men’s company.

Even though I’m annoyed, I cannot believe I’m standing before a barrister fighting the law over a horse. A horse! Oh, Nicholas and Eleanor will have a good laugh when I tell them about this. I shall have to find a newspaper at once to read it.

“I think it hardly matters. The son was given everything that belonged to the mad Marquess,” said Wicklow. “He can do anything he likes.”

“Including shooting the horse,” Morseth added with a chuckle.

Charlotte frowned. “But even if the horse’s barrister wins the case, the creature would lack rights, would it not? A guardian would be required if they have not already been designated. Mr. Borden, who is helping the horse with its case?”

“And there you have it.” The man smiled slowly at her, his gaze warm. “The man’s youngest daughter is funding this case. It will be costly no matter how it plays out.”

“So then it becomes a family dispute,” she mused before grinning. “I wonder where the horse fits in. A new eldest?”

The men chuckled, though Morseth looked confused more than amused. They talked for a while longer, but Charlotte said little else until Adrian finally excused them and led her out the door.

“Impressive,” he told her once they reached the carriage. He handed her in, his grip strong and steady. “You presented yourself well today.”

Thinking back to Lady Eloise and the summer heat, Charlotte had to scoff in distaste. “Indeed.”

“I didn’t say you were perfect,” he pointed out as he took his seat.

The door swung shut, and he knocked on it before they began moving. She frowned at him, but he waved a hand like he hadn’t just insulted her.

“You carried yourself as well as you could today. You learned from your mistakes, didn’t you? You carried yourself well, Charlotte. I would count today a success. Besides, anyone who can put that dumbfounded look on that snotty Morseth’s face wins in my book.”

The memory made her giggle. “He did look rather ridiculous.”

“Very ridiculous,” he agreed.

They locked gazes. For some reason—maybe it was the heat or stress of the day—Charlotte chuckled louder. She covered her mouth, but Adrian grinned in response. A moment later, they were both laughing in the carriage like they were old friends.