Charlotte gaped at him. “Like them? I love them. They are… Well, they are more perfect than I could imagine.”
“Then what is the problem?” Dominic smiled at her, his voice still barely above a whisper.
“The problem is that you hardly know me. We are not even really engaged.” Charlotte spoke so low, she was surprised Dominic could hear her and mouthed the end of her sentence.
“But we need to look like we are engaged. And if we were truly engaged and had been courting, I would lavish you with gifts,” Dominic pointed out, his voice equally low.
“But these are… excessive.” Charlotte gestured at the dresses.
“They are no more than you deserve.” Dominic’s expression was serious.
“What do you mean?” Charlotte asked, her heart speeding up.
“It is obvious that you have not allowed yourself a new dress so that your sisters might have them instead. That is a noble thing to do. Your stepmother may not see what a sacrifice you have made, but I do.” Dominic shrugged at her, but there was no teasing in his expression, just earnestness.
Charlotte was taken aback and surveyed him. “I… I do not know what to say.”
“Well, that is an unusual turn of events,” Dominic teased. “I did not expect to render you speechless. Perhaps I should buy you gifts more often.”
Charlotte smiled but swatted at him for his cheek. “You have already given me too much though I appreciate it dearly.”
“I am glad. Now we can both focus on winning these Dabbles, and the future will be ours to do with as we wish.” Dominic moved further away from her, just out of arm’s reach as he grinned impishly.
“Indeed, it will.” The moment seemed to stretch out between them as Charlotte tried to puzzle out the man before her.
“Oh my goodness, Charlotte, did you see this riding habit? I do not think I have ever seen such a beautiful habit!” Evelyn exclaimed, her voice cutting through the moment.
Charlotte jumped and moved further away from Dominic. Then she saw her stepmother look up sharply at Evelyn’s words and supressed a laugh.
“A riding habit?” Lady Bellmore asked, glancing at Dominic.
“Of course, my grandmother thinks all young women should be adept riders, and I know Charlotte is particularly skilled at such things.” Dominic smiled.
“How do you know that?” Charlotte whispered when her stepmother turned away a moment later.
“Your father told me on the walk before dinner. I asked him about his horses, and he mentioned that the gelding was yours,” Dominic whispered back.
Before they could speak further, Charlotte’s family swept her into a hug, chattering excitedly about the dresses and wondering just how long it would take her to repack now that she had such beautiful garments.
“Well, I think I will be off. I am glad you like the garments, my dear Lady. And I look forward to seeing you at Caverton upon the morrow.” Dominic bowed to Charlotte and then to her stepmother and sisters. “Good day, ladies.”
“Good day, Your Grace,” Evelyn and Philippa murmured as they curtsied together.
“And thank you for your generosity,” Lady Bellmore added as she curtsied.
“Yes, thank you, Dominic.” Charlotte met his gaze, her green eyes finding his hazel ones.
“It was my pleasure, Charlotte.” He inclined his head towards her and without another word slipped through the door.
As Charlotte watched him go, she felt an odd warmth spread through her. It surprised her.Perhaps he is more reformed than I thought. She glanced at her sisters and her stepmother. Even if she did not win the games, she could not help but feel the endeavour would not be a total waste.
After all, she had the most sublime dresses and for an afternoon, had felt well and truly special. She could not remember the last time she had felt such a way.I must find a way to show him how grateful I am.
Charlotte pondered this as she went to bed later that night. She was determined to find a way to show Dominic just how much his gesture had meant to her.
The next day, her carriage arrived at Caverton Estate. She had spent most of the journey marvelling at just how lovely Dominic’s gifts had been.
She had decided to wear one of the pale blue dresses in a fine muslin with matching shoes and a rather delightful hat.
