His lips flattened as he considered his mother’s reaction to Charlotte being nine years older than him, even if he could overcome Charlotte’s reluctance. Nevertheless, one indubitable fact remained. He desired Charlotte, Dowager Countess of Peterborough, and not just for what she could teach him in the bedroom.
He had no delusions that he would get her on his own terms, but how could he make her want him on any terms? There must be a way to create conditions desirable to her. He had a few data points—her wish to learn and her affinity for tying him.
He could work with those. Lifting his arm, he requested a pencil and paper.
Chapter Eight
Charlotte received a note the next morning. Scanning it, she gritted her teeth, frustrated at both him and herself for not expecting this. The scamp managed to ignore her directive not to call, respect her wishes to avoid attention by requesting to call outside visiting hours, pretend he was following up on the salon, yet still offer oblique references to his impertinent bedroom visit. She read it again.
Dear Mistress,
It was lovely to see you at the lecture. I wished to speak with you after to get your thoughts on the steam engine and whether you were considering investing, once you had heard more. But alas, I could not find you in the crowd. You did not even give me the opportunity to serve you a beverage. You know I don’t mind beingtied downby such service.
Would it be possible to call on you early in the day, perhaps for breakfast, or later in the evening around the time of our last encounter? Same location?
Please, Mistress, allow me to further our acquaintance and learn (about steam engines) before I go. I am begging you here, although I’d much prefer to plead my case in person. What can I do to earn time with you?
I would like to assure you that I will wait for a reply, but I confess I am impatient…
Your servant,
William
Charlotte snorted, then shook her head at the brash impulsiveness of youth. She needed to learn his situation to more effectively stop his ill-advised pursuit.Of course ’tis infatuation, given his age. And not something I should encourage in any way.
That decided, it was time to visit Isabella for some information. The woman’s sources were unparalleled.
A few hours later, she was shown into Belle’s parlor. Footsteps pattering down the stairs announced Belle’s arrival.
Belle’s skirts swished as she quickstepped to hug Charlotte, her custom musky rose perfume cocooning Charlotte in its sweet familiarity.
“Does this mean you’ve seen Rakelet again?” She should never have told Belle she’d adopted her nickname for William. “Tell me, tell me!”
A servant wheeled in a tray with tea and cakes, and Belle poured them both tea.
Charlotte sipped, before putting it down on the low table by her. Folding her hands in her lap, she took a deep breath. “He attended a salon about steam power and sat next to me.”
Belle rolled her eyes at Charlotte’s choice of evening pursuits, as she always had. But she quickly moved on. “And?”
“And he asked me about my interest in the subject, and whether I might be investing.”
Belle arched a brow, as she too understood the implications in that. “Quite enlightened of him, don’t you think?”
“Yes.” Charlotte sighed. “But it can’t mean anything. He’s a baby.”
“Mmm. I’d wait until you see what is in his breeches to decide that.” She laughed.
Charlotte’s face flamed and she could not meet her friend’s gaze.
Belle caught her breath, her laugh stalling, and stared with mouth still open when she saw Charlotte’s flaming face.
“What?! When? How? Oh, dee-licious.” She rubbed her hands together.
Darn my skin and tendency to blush. There’s no avoiding it now.“He-well-I-he—”
“Really…? You don’t say…” Belle drawled with a smirk, leaning back.
“If you must know, he crawled into my bedroom the other night.”
