Charlotte had ignored all correspondence from her solicitor to learn the next ten Latin words. She hadn’t minded William falling asleep in her bed, taking it as a compliment to her skills. But self-satisfaction to the memory only worked as a temporary salve after having her rakelet tied to her bed. There was much more she wanted to do with him.
Mimicking his expedience, she learned the rest of the numbers from one to ten, hence ensuring she had a start on the next set of words and thus the next interlude. They were running out of summer, after all.
Having mastered those and reviewed the poems, she was able to refocus on the quarterly reports on her investments after two days. In the late afternoon, Leah Godwin and Beth Orford arrived to discuss further opportunities to help working class women establish their own businesses. These were not investments, they were gifts and guidance to help direct them toward success. The two ladies had extensive networks—Beth had a knack for matching people in need with those having the skillset needed due to her gregarious nature and her position on the edge of the Ton as wife to an earl’s second son. Leah was an investor in a London theatre and mother hen to her flock of courtesans. Between the two, they had an unending list of women in need of assistance. The trio met most months to evaluate and prioritize whose needs were the most urgent, as well as who seemed most prepared to manage an enterprise.
The meeting had run long and she’d called for a second round of tea with cheese and bread, which would serve as her supper.
As the ladies wrapped up, Austin announced another visitor.
“At this time of night?” Beth wiggled her eyebrows. Her observance and ability to ferret out gossip was as key to her successful networking skills as her affability.
Charlotte groaned. She knew the young woman was a vault, but she was also close friends with Charles’s brother and new wife, and Charlotte was not ready for even family to hear of her escapades with someone younger than any of them. If she hadn’t set an end date with William, she might feel differently. But he needed heirs, and she had a long marriage and a decade of living, which made her too high a risk.
Leah smiled. “Beth, ’tis none of our concern. Do you not have a new husband waiting for you?”
“He’s probably busy with Folly or with his leatherwork. I’ll bet he hasn’t even eaten supper.”
“Which means if you leave now, you can eat with him. Come along,” Leah answered.
Charlotte mouthed “thank you” to Leah behind Beth’s back, and after a surreptitious check that the hall was clear, walked them toward the door.
“Thank you both for coming. I am excited by the progress we’ve made on our list and the success of those whose establishments are underway.”
As soon as the front door closed, she stepped into the parlor.
William lounged on the settee, bouncing to his feet when she entered. “Mistress. You look lovely as always.”
“William.” Coming forward she kissed him on each cheek. “Tea? Port? Whisky?”
“You are all the nourishment I need, Mistress.”
She rolled her eyes. “Too much poetry at university, puppy.”
He just grinned. Sobering, he asked, “May I inquire what your meeting was about?”
“I provide the initial capital for women who want to start their own business, to help them get started.”
He stared.
“What is amiss?”
“Yougivemoney away?”
“Well, yes. We also offer counsel if they want it. Cheltie does the same.” Charlotte had thought William had heard of her wealth, given how fast gossip in the Ton circled. Now, she was starting to think he hadn’t, or at least was unaware of the extent of it. She watched his expressions, unsure how much she wanted him to know. Men were too often uncomfortable with a woman being wealthier, smarter, or even simply more independent than them.
“Yes, but…Cheltie…”
She raised a brow. “Cheltie what?”
“By all accounts is one of the richest men in the country.”
“Hmm, yes. Suffice it to say that I have more than I need and this is something I choose to do. Other women knit bonnets for foundling babies or volunteer their time to teach at schools. I teach and contribute in my own way, using my strengths.”
“Yet another layer of you I uncover—an impressive one.” His eyes were wide.
She gave a small smile, ducking her head. “Yes, well, no one would want to wear anything I knitted, I am certain.”
He laughed.
