She followed the housekeeper down a corridor to a cozy suite with a canopy bed, cream wallpaper with a pale pink pattern, and a tall window looking onto the gardens. Her mother had the suite next door. Once inside, Charlotte released a long breath. The day’s journey had been long and full of bumpy roads, restless chatter from her mother, and her own anxious thoughts.
She dropped onto the bed and closed her eyes. She just needed a moment to breathe. The gentle hush and the soft feather mattress lulled her, and before she knew it, she was drifting off.
She awoke with a startled jolt. Sitting up, she noticed the shadows had shifted. How long had she slept? There was a knock at the door. Her heart pounded as she realized dinner couldn’t be far off, and she hadn’t even begun to get ready.
“Yes, come in!” she called, her voice still thick with drowsiness.
The door opened a crack, revealing Adeline’s face. “Charlotte?” she said in a cautious whisper.
Then Felicity peeked around her shoulder, as did Genevieve as well. All three stepped into the room before shutting the door behind them. Their expressions teetered between concern and amusement.
“You were asleep. Are you well?” Genevieve asked, taking a seat on the chair near the side of the bed.
Charlotte sat up and rubbed her eyes. “I must have dozed off. The drive here was so long. Is it nearly time for dinner?”
Adeline tossed her curls. “Let’s just say, you have enough time if we hurry. We came to help you pick an ensemble. You want to stand out on the first night here.”
Charlotte’s pulse sped up. “Thank you. I can’t believe I napped.” She swung her legs off the bed, straightening her gown. “Where’s Miranda?”
Felicity shrugged. “I think she’s examining the library. She was most excited by the size of it. And Helena is caught up with her parents. I fear she will struggle to get away from them this week. Now, let’s see about your wardrobe.”
The girls rummaged through Charlotte’s dresses, pulling out a few options and assessing them with appraising glances. Adeline held up a soft dove-gray gown with delicate lace trimming—one of Madam Baptiste’s creations. Genevieve suggested adding a slightly bolder sash for contrast, a sunshine yellow which complemented Charlotte’s coloring.
Charlotte fidgeted as they debated. “That one seems all right, but are you sure it’s not too plain?”
Felicity gave her a reassuring smile. “Not with the sash. It’s elegant and will look divine next to the riot of bright colors and frills the other girls will no doubt be sporting. We can pin that new brooch at your shoulder. With the sash, it’ll draw just enough attention while still making sure you look like you.”
Charlotte nodded, letting them bustle around while she tried to shake off any lingering sleep. “And what about everyone else? I heard Henry invited quite a few gentlemen. Are any of them interesting?”
Genevieve and Adeline exchanged a look.
“We’ve heard rumors about Lord Melton. He’s said to be dashing,” Adeline teased as Genevieve blushed. “But we won’t know until we see him. He’s rather reclusive when it comesto the London season, so the gossip is that he is indeed here searching for a bride.”
“But we’re all focused on you and the duke, of course,” Genevieve said quickly.
Felicity smoothed the gown’s skirt and held it up to Charlotte’s face to gasps of admiration from the others. “Never mind the mysterious Lord Melton. We will have plenty of time to meet everyone, I’m sure. We have to focus on getting Charlotte’s entrance right. Did you not bring your maid, Charlotte?”
“She will be joining us later,” Charlotte assured them. “But it’s her afternoon off, so she wanted to visit her mother, who lives nearby.”
“No matter. Adeline can dress your hair.”
They managed to dress Charlotte quickly, chatting about potential matches as they did so. Charlotte tried to keep her thoughts light, knowing that Henry would be busy greeting everyone during the first night. She couldn’t expect to monopolize his attention.
This was just day one.
Finally ready and more than a little flustered, Charlotte joined her friends and the others heading down to dinner. Her mother and William had gone on ahead, leaving the girls to mingle amongst themselves before dinner. Although Charlotte had no doubt that should her mother catch her hiding in corners as usual, she would be swooping upon her with various young men in tow.
But Charlotte was not intending to hide in corners while she was here, at the duke’s ancestral home. They had a plan. For once, she was determined to attract attention.
Stifling her nerves, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin, trying to look as interested and alert as possible—while not making it obvious that she was looking for Henry.
A servant directed them toward the grand dining hall, a spacious room with gleaming oak floors, boasting a long table set with silver candlesticks, and a scattering of livery-clad footmen waiting to serve. An imposing portrait of some long-dead Arundel ancestor watched them from above the fireplace, looking, Charlotte thought, rather disapproving.
Many of the guests had already assembled in the drawing room beside the dining hall, chatting over aperitifs. She spotted her mother and William standing together, but before she could take her leave of her friends and approach them, a slim young man with auburn hair stepped forward.
“Lady Charlotte, is it not? I’m Mr. Clarke, an associate of your brother’s.”
“Oh, I’m very pleased to meet you.” Charlotte dipped a curtsey and held her hand out politely, biting back her impatience. Perhaps it would be good for Henry to see her attracting attention from others, although she had to admit, she was stunned by Mr. Clarke’s forwardness.
