“It’s… quiet,” Felicity said softly. “Better than many young ladies’ situations, I’m sure. Anyway, come in. The others are eager to see you.”
Charlotte followed her into a parlor. The curtains were drawn back, letting a dim glow filter inside, revealing modest but well-kept furniture. On a small upright piano near the corner, Genevieve was plunking out a tune, her brows knit in concentration. She struck a wrong note, grimaced, and muttered to herself.
“Mother swears I’ll become more accomplished if I just practice more,” Genevieve said in greeting, turning on the bench when she sensed them enter. “I think her dream is that I’ll dazzle some earl with a waltz I can barely play.”
Felicity smiled. “It might help if you liked the instrument. There’s nothing wrong with your playing.”
“I like it well enough,” Genevieve said with a sigh, “but there’s so much else I’d rather do.”
Charlotte touched her shoulder. “Well, at least you can practice here in peace. Shall we find the others?”
Genevieve abandoned the piano stool. “Lead on. Adeline’s rummaging through the library, and Miranda’s lecturing yourbutler—sorry, I mean advising him—on how to arrange refreshments.”
Charlotte laughed under her breath. “He’ll survive. Miranda’s always kind, just… methodical.”
They made their way to a smaller sitting room at the back of the house. The instant they walked in, Adeline looked up from a half-open book, flashing a grin. Miranda was already sitting primly on a loveseat with her ankles crossed and shoulders back.
“I thought we’d never all gather,” Miranda said impatiently. “We have a lot to discuss.”
Adeline closed the book with a soft thud. “Charlotte, how are you? Any new developments?”
Charlotte settled into a chair, smoothing her skirts. “No, but I did learn more about the Duke’s house party. William told me it was all the dowager duchess’s idea, and poor Henry isn’t happy at all.”
“Oh?” Miranda gestured for her to go on.
Charlotte’s voice wavered slightly as she continued. “He didn’t even know about it until half thetonstarted congratulating him. His mother put him in a position where he couldn’t refuse. Everyone believes he’s hosting this gathering to find a suitable bride.”
Adeline let out a low whistle. “The dowager duchess is cunning, I’ll give her that.”
Miranda shook her head disapprovingly. “A typical ploy. Announce it to society so he has no choice but to follow through. Then flood his estate with eligible ladies—like fish in a pond, waiting to be hooked.”
Genevieve frowned. “But obviously you want to be among them, right, Charlotte?”
Charlotte’s cheeks colored. “I…. Yes. I can’t stand the thought of missing this opportunity. If he spends days in the countryside with some other clever young woman, I might lose what smallchance I have.” The thought of Henry announcing his betrothal to someone else made her feel nauseous. How would she bear it?
Felicity reached over and patted Charlotte’s hand. “We understand; say no more. We just need to figure out how to ensure you’re invited.”
“I’m sure she will be, as William’s sister,” Miranda pointed out. “But we need all of us to be there so we can help Charlotte woo the duke.”
“Ideally, yes,” Charlotte agreed. “If I’m alone among strangers, I’ll be too self-conscious to attempt anything. But with you there, we can… well, create opportunities.”
Adeline snickered. “Create opportunities. That’s a polite way of saying we’ll meddle until he pays attention.”
Miranda cleared her throat. “Subtly meddle, please. We can’t be obvious, or Her Grace will sense something is wrong.”
They all fell silent at the thought of raising the dowager duchess’s wrath.
Then Genevieve tapped a finger on her chin. “How do we get ourselves invited, though? Charlotte’s easy—her family’s close with the Arundels. But what about the rest of us?”
“I have a plan,” Charlotte said, shoulders straightening. “I’ll ask William to suggest to Mother that we be included. That I will be too shy to bear it without my friends. It’s the house party of the season, so Mother will want me to be there, and she’ll want to ensure I don’t embarrass her by hiding in the drawing room. She can’t stand the idea of gossip.”
Miranda looked thoughtful. “That might work. In the meantime, we need to consider how Charlotte should present herself while there.”
“I don’t know that it will make a difference how I present myself.” Charlotte slumped in her seat. “I’m sure he only dances with me at balls out of kindness.”
“But he cared enough to save you from Sir Roger,” Genevieve reminded her. “That’s something.”
“He cares about me as William’s sister. I want him to see me differently.” Charlotte’s voice was tinged with longing.
