Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

“ H ow can I save you a dance so far in advance?” Charlotte found herself chuckling at the shameless flirting of Lord Estonbury, who was sitting across from her.

Though Mr. Borden wasn’t in attendance, two of Adrian’s other friends were—Lord Morseth, who kept using his snuff, and Lord Wicklow, who had drunk three cups of tea between jabbering away.

The fifth person in the room was her godmother. Theodosia sat outside their circle to enjoy the sunlight as she worked on her embroidery. Or so she had said. She hadn’t picked up her needle in at least five minutes by now, so she might be entertained by the group instead.

And entertained she could easily be.

While Charlotte had enjoyed the presence of many people desiring her attention, it was beginning to aggravate her. Not everyone cared that much for her opinion or anything particular about her. Rather, they wanted to ramble about themselves. The two sitting across from her, Morseth and Wicklow, were like that. Most of her visitors for the past week hardly let her speak or at least say anything interesting.

Lord Estonbury, however, was asking for her opinion. And the man even dared to flirt with her.

A playful grin curved his lips as he tilted his head down to look at her over his spectacles. Though they gave most folks the look of someone much older and duller, he wore them with pride. “It is only tomorrow night, My Lady. Surely you will be in attendance?”

“Oh, yes. I…” Charlotte glanced at her godmother, who nodded at her before turning back to Wicklow, who was beginning to shift uncomfortably in his seat after drinking so much tea. “I do believe we shall be at your mother’s ball. I will save you the first dance if you like.”

“The first and the last if I might be so daring. I cannot have you forgetting me in between,” Lord Estonbury added with a waggle of his eyebrows.

She chuckled. Though he laid on the charm rather thick, at least he was trying harder than the others. “If you insist.”

Clearing his throat noisily, Morseth said, “And I, My Lady? I should like to claim a dance, too.”

“We cannot claim her entire dance card before she sets foot on the dance floor,” Wicklow protested. Then, he added hastily, “Though I would also like a chance for a turn about the floor with you if it’s possible.”

Nodding, Charlotte politely promised them each a dance. She was about to turn to Lord Estonbury, who had mentioned earlier a strong interest in a new wing of the British Museum, when she caught movement at the door.

There he was again.

Adrian skulked in the shadows like a boy deprived of his sweets. His head was tilted forward while his eyes darted around the room. The door was left open for the sake of propriety as well as to make it easier for the servants to come in and out as needed. It wasn’t meant to be left open for a stubborn duke to spy on her guests yet again.

She bit back the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Instead, she once again called out for him to force him into the light.

If Adrian wishes to spy on my guests, then he might as well do it in front of us. I’ll never be able to focus knowing he’s right there. A dashing, ridiculous shadow.

“Your Grace!” she called, rising to her feet. “What a pleasant surprise to find you here at this hour. Would you like to join us?”

Even though the door couldn’t have been open more than a few inches, she saw how he stiffened. His stern gaze fell on her like he wished to scold her. But he couldn’t, with so many guests present. Everyone else was also rising to their feet except for Theodosia. It meant Adrian had no choice but to enter the room, and greet everyone there.

He saved her for Charlotte. Her smile was polite, but he recognized the unsaid words in her eyes.

Ridiculous man! What was he doing? Couldn’t he leave her in peace? They had just talked the other day about him keeping his distance.

He gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head, but she caught it. Still, she wasn’t entirely certain it was meant for her.

“Good day, everyone,” he said in a polite tone. His gaze lingered on her long enough that she began to flush. A tentative silence fell over the room. Then he caught himself and looked away. “Morseth and Wicklow. This is most… unexpected.”

His friends exchanged looks before grinning.

“You keep the most charming company, do you not? We needed another chance with the young lady here,” Wicklow started. He hesitated, shifting his legs close together, and cleared his throat. “But I must take my leave. We must see each other again soon. Perhaps at the club this week? Do call on me there.”

Then he was out the door so quickly that Morseth’s mouth hung open in surprise. He glanced around warily. Charlotte had a strong feeling that he wasn’t used to being alone. The man needed company, an audience to listen to him and people to tell him what to do and think.

“Er, indeed. Good day, Lady Charlotte, Your Grace, Lord Estonbury. And Wakefield…”

“Yes?”

“Billiards.” Morseth snapped his fingers. “We should play billiards.”

Theodosia finally spoke up. “Really, Morseth? Billiards?” Her voice was bland, but her disdain was obvious.

Morseth’s grin dropped. Charlotte stepped forward, almost ready to help the idiot.

“Right, I shouldn’t… we shouldn’t do that. My mistake, Your Grace,” Morseth muttered. “Well, Wakefield, we shall meet again soon. Perhaps at the Estonbury ball tomorrow, eh? My mother’s making me attend that one.”

Glancing over the man’s shoulder at Charlotte, Adrian nodded. “Perhaps.”

And then Morseth left as well. It was like the Duke was picking them off one by one.

Which left only Lord Estonbury. The man would only inherit a small estate someday, and Charlotte believed it included only a small manor—thus it would generate very little income. She could see that in Lady Estonbury’s refined but somewhat thread-worn clothes.

Still, he was charming and intelligent and treated her better than a pretty painting.

Even though I don’t wish to marry, and I still don’t, I can almost imagine a life with him. We could have pleasant conversations, enjoy rides about town, and have a small home to ourselves. I would never need for anything, and I’d have my inheritance to keep us comfortable throughout the years.

“My Lord, how pleasant it has been to have your company today,” Charlotte said. She wanted to say the words before Adrian could scare the man out. “You mentioned earlier the new wing of the British Museum and how it might open soon. Perhaps I might see you there sometime next week.”

Lord Estonbury smiled at her. He was as tall as her if perhaps a bit shorter. With the average height of a gentleman, he was still debonair with his thick black curls and twinkling blue eyes.

“Indeed, I should enjoy that more than anything. If it is possible, I would like very much to accompany you there. Perhaps next Tuesday afternoon? We could ride in my curricle and enjoy ice at Gunther’s afterward,” he suggested.

Grinning, Charlotte nodded. “I would like that very mu?—”

“I’m afraid Lady Charlotte is busy next Tuesday,” Adrian interrupted. His eyes glinted when she glared at him. “We are attending a lecture on the language of flowers.”

“Nonsense,” Theodosia cut in before Charlotte could tell him they were doing no such thing.

No one had told her of such a lecture. Part of her didn’t even believe there was any such lecture—he was just trying to prevent her from enjoying herself.

But her godmother carried on. “That is Wednesday, my sweet nephew. I shall be glad to have Charlotte enjoy the museum. And of course, I shall make myself available,” she added, hinting at the need for a chaperone.

Because I cannot go anywhere alone any longer. How ridiculous this notion is. I used to wander all over the lands and villages when I was growing up.

At least, she could go to the museum. Adrian had been beaten.

She turned her attention back to Lord Estonbury. “Tuesday it is,” she reassured him with a quick, victorious smirk.

“And tomorrow’s dances at the ball,” he added with a wink. “I can hardly wait.”

“Careful, good sir, or you may grow bored of me too soon,” she said, bobbing a curtsy when he bowed.

He shook his head. “That will never happen. You hold my sincerest interest, My Lady, if I may be so bold. But my apologies, I fear I have overstayed my welcome. Thank you for your time, Lady Charlotte. Duchess, always a pleasure. And Your Grace, I look forward to seeing you in the next Parliamentary session. Good day.”

And then he was gone.

Charlotte marched over to Adrian. “ You ,” she said, jabbing a finger in his chest, “are impossible. What are you doing back here?”

“I was only––”

“Spying? Creeping? Skulking?”

Adrian snorted. “A duke would never do such a thing.”

“Then what does that make you?” she retorted, wondering how they had found their way back to arguing incessantly. “I don’t wish to repeat this argument all over again, Your Grace,” she added just to annoy him. His left eye twitched, she noticed with grim satisfaction. “But you said you would behave yourself. You cannot be overbearing when all you wish is for me to find a husband!”

“I am doing no such thing. I was only passing by. If you had not called out my name, I would have never been noticed,” he retorted.

Theodosia chuckled as she collected her embroidery and the shawl she’d let slip from her shoulders. “My dear boy, I could see your nose peeking in all the way from here. Don’t be ridiculous. And that was overbearing, ridiculously so. We only need one chaperone. If you want to attend to our guests instead, you need only say the word.”

“I don’t want to do that,” Adrian said hastily, taking a step back.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “So what are you doing here?”

“I’m only here because you wanted me here,” he muttered with a childish scowl. “I was on my way out for a ride. I will not stand here and be accused of such nonsense. So, if you will excuse me…”

And then it was only Charlotte and her godmother.

Groaning, Charlotte threw her hands up in surrender and collapsed on the nearest chair. “Good Lord! What is wrong with that man? Are you certain madness doesn’t run in your family?” she dared ask the older woman. “What is wrong with him?”

There was a small smile on Theodosia’s lips. She took her time fixing the shawl on her shoulders as she watched the empty doorway. At last, she turned to Charlotte, a twinkle in her eyes.

“You are a clever girl,” she praised. “I’m certain you will figure it out in time.”

Charlotte was bewildered. She blinked several times but found herself too confused to ask more questions. The Dowager Duchess stepped out of the room in the meantime, leaving her alone.

Looking down, Charlotte realized she was rubbing her chest. It was thudding and aching in a strange way. Slumped on the sofa, she sat there in silence for several minutes to sort through what had happened. Just another day with suitors, charming and not, where Adrian ended the meetings abruptly.

I don’t understand his behavior. He wanted nothing more than to be done with me, to marry me off. I should think he would throw me into the arms of any eligible bachelor so he could finally be rid of me. Otherwise, I might be tempted to wonder if he cares about me more than he lets on. He can’t possibly. Can he?

A tingle raced through Charlotte at the idea. It eased the pain in her chest and helped her relax until the moment she realized how ridiculous it sounded.

There was no future with Adrian. She didn’t wish to be married, and neither did he. They had managed to become friends at one point, or so she had thought, but now it appeared they were back at arguing with one another. He had raced out of the room like he couldn’t wait to be free of her.

Telling herself this was what she must believe, Charlotte rose from her seat and went to the library. She spent the rest of the day there as well as the next, since Adrian never called her for lessons.

He didn’t attend the Estonbury ball, where she once again danced nearly every set. There were plentiful bachelors of all ages and backgrounds who asked frequently about the Dowager Duchess and mysterious Duke who had sponsored her for the Season. But Charlotte kept her mouth shut, preferring not to share.

Just as Adrian made no appearance at the ball, Charlotte had not seen him around the house. She received notes confirming that their lessons were canceled, but no one had more information for her. It was Lloyd who admitted that the Duke was going out and about without much of a direction. All the servants could understand was that the Duke seemed determined to spend as little time in Bradford House as possible.

Not the house. It’s me. He’s avoiding me.

Refusing to miss him or feel sad, Charlotte mustered the courage to carry on. She practiced a few lessons on her own and began enjoying time with her visitors where they were not interrupted. Theodosia accompanied her to the British Museum along with Lord Estonbury, and to several other events.

Some of the social events were enlivening. But often, Charlotte found them tedious. Even Lord Estonbury grew dull after a few days. She hated to admit it, but the man only had a few tricks, and he’d already used them all.

Through it all, she forced herself to keep smiling.

It was only a Season, and that had to end, eventually. She reminded herself that she didn’t need a husband, and she certainly didn’t need a stubborn standoffish handsome gentleman like Adrian—she would be free once the Season was over and she could return to the country.

And no one shall stop me, not even a duke.