Or Charlotte, for that matter. The supposed plan for her and her friends to act as a buffer could hardly work if they couldn’t get near him.
His mother gave him a pointed look. “You have read enough for the moment. The guests have begun a game of lawn bowls before the luncheon, and you are expected to join them.”
He rose slowly. “I had hoped to be excused, Mother. I’m feeling under the weather this morning.”
“No excuses,” she interrupted, waving off his protest without a hint of sympathy. “You are the host, and people have come from London at your invitation; many with no small amount of anticipation. Let us go.”
“You mean, they came at your invitation,” he grumbled.
His mother pointedly chose to ignore him as she swept out of the room. He had little choice but to follow her out through the corridors and onto the wide terrace overlooking the gardens. Beyond the fountain, a neatly mowed patch of lawn was set with wooden bowls, and he saw a cluster of guests in bright summer attire, already forming teams.
His mother scanned the gathering. “Ah, perfect. They’ve started splitting into pairs. You’ve missed your chance to partner some of the best ladies, unfortunately. I do see Lady Charlotte standing near her brother.”
Ignoring his mother, Henry’s heart lifted slightly at the sight of Charlotte’s pale green gown and softly curled hair. She was laughing as she looked up at William, and her eyes sparkled in the sun.
He had been disappointed the previous evening to have had scarce chance to speak to her. He’d been hemmed in by his mother’s most favored guests, all of whom had attempted to ingratiate themselves to him with an eagerness he had founddistasteful. He had made a good show of being entertained, however, for his mother’s sake. As put out as he was by this whole affair, the household had gone to no small trouble and expense to put it on.
Now, as he approached with his mother, Charlotte turned and gave him a polite smile, her cheeks flushing prettily. Really, Charlotte was underrated by her peers. Even her own family seemed to see her as a plain Jane with few prospects. It angered him that her sweetness and natural beauty were so overlooked by a society he was beginning to find more tedious with each passing day.
He nodded in greeting. “Good morning, Lady Charlotte. Do you by chance need a partner, or would I be stealing you away from your brother?”
She looked momentarily surprised, then her smile brightened. “I would be delighted, Your Grace, if William doesn’t mind?”
“Not at all,” William said, grinning at Henry. “I was just retiring inside for a glass of lemonade, in fact.”
Henry’s mother gave a satisfied little hum. “Excellent.” She looked pointedly at Henry. “Have a care, my dear, and mingle a bit afterward. Everyone is eager to speak with you.”
Without waiting for his reply, his mother drifted off after William, leaving him at Charlotte’s side.
He mustered a quiet laugh. “She can’t resist ensuring I am visible and sociable at all times.”
Charlotte’s eyes danced with amusement. “One might suppose that is the purpose of a house party—to socialize with your guests, no?” She smirked, making him laugh.
“You have quite the sense of humor. You really aren’t given enough credit for it,” he said, and Charlotte blushed pure crimson. He supposed she wasn’t used to receiving suchcompliments, and he was oddly pleased that he had been able to bring that pretty shade of pink to her cheeks.
They stepped out onto the lawn to join the others. A footman handed Henry a pair of wooden bowls, which he offered to Charlotte so she could choose first. He glanced around, noticing a few of the visiting debutantes fluttering their eyelashes demurely his way. Coughing, he looked away and returned his attention to Charlotte.
She tested the weight of a bowl. “I used to play this with my father’s guests at our country home before he passed. I do not claim mastery, but it’s a sport I enjoy.”
Henry smiled. “That is more experience than many young ladies can boast.” He turned slightly as two giggling ladies sidled close. They began to feign confusion over the rules, casting hopeful glances at him.
“Would you be able to advise us, Your Grace?” one asked, looking innocently over at him and quite ignoring Charlotte, who he sensed bristling next to him.
He quickly said, “I am committed to assisting Lady Charlotte first, I’m afraid. I must not abandon my partner.”
Charlotte’s look of gratitude was accompanied by a brief flicker of something else in her eyes—something more serious. Then she gave a quick laugh. “Indeed you mustn’t. I shall make good use of your expert guidance.”
They practiced a few rolls, and Henry quickly discovered that Charlotte was quite adept. He did not need to correct her form at all. Nevertheless, he made a show of positioning her stance, murmuring tips and gently adjusting her elbow so onlookers could see that he was quite engaged in her success—too engaged to be interrupted further by any other eager prospective partners.
He caught a faint whiff of her perfume. It was that same fresh and floral scent she’d been wearing at a ball that brought upchildhood memories of running in the Fitzgerald gardens with William, little Charlotte toddling after them.
The sensation unsettled him, but not unpleasantly; rather, it reminded him of a time when life had been easier, without all these constraining rules and expectations. He was struck by how easily he and Charlotte conversed and how pleasant it felt to stand close without any forced contrivances.
If not for the shadows of my family’s past,she might be exactly the sort of wife I would wish for.
If she wasn’t also his best friend’s sister, of course.
Charlotte’s friends had positioned themselves strategically over by a cluster of hedges, where they were intercepting other ladies whenever they drifted toward Henry with questions. He smiled to himself, grateful for their help.
