Had she truly found the one gentleman who would?
* * *
“Charlotte,” Louisa asked, “where are we going?”
Charlotte lowered her voice. “To the school-room, where no one can hear us. Come along, everyone. We have some things to work out.”
She led them up the stairs to the first floor then up the next set to the second floor where the school-room and the younger children’s bedchambers, as well as those of Mr. Winters and Miss Tallerton and the nursemaids, were located.
One the way, they ran into May, who had a bundle of whites in her arms.
“May, can you please have tea, lemonade, and food sent to the school-room?”
The maid’s eyes grew wide as she glanced down the stairs. “For how many?”
“Ten.” Earlier in the Park and returning home, Charlotte had noticed the way passersby had looked at all of them. Well, people would just have to get used to it. Matt was perfect for Grace, even if her sister didn’t quite see it that way yet.
“Right away, my lady.”
Once they were all in the large, airy classroom, Charlotte clapped her hands, the way Grace did when she wanted their attention. “Alice, Eleanor, and Walter, please show Augusta, Madeline, and Theo around the floor. I shall call you when tea has been brought.”
Louisa glanced at Charlotte. “I take it we shall do the same at Worthington House?”
“I believe that would be best.” Charlotte drew her brows together. “If we inspect both houses, we will be able to make a recommendation as to where we should all live.” She linked her arm with Louisa’s. “I have a plan, but I do want you to be an equal part of it. It seems to me that settling Grace and Matt quickly will allow us to focus on husbands of our own.”
“What a splendid idea.” Louise grinned. “You make a great deal of sense. It will be much easier for them to chaperone us if they are wed.”
Less than a quarter hour later, they were all armed with lemonade and jam tarts, and sandwiches. Charlotte called the meeting to order. “Now . . .”
“Why are you in charge?” Augusta asked.
Louisa rolled her eyes. “Because it is her house. When we go to Worthington House, I shall be in charge.” She frowned. “We’ll have to rethink that arrangement when we’re all living in one place. Are there any more questions before we begin?”
The rest of the children shook their heads.
“Well then,” Charlotte said, “as I was about to say, it is clear our sister and brother are in love.”
Madeline sighed happily, clasping her hands together. “They make such a lovely couple.”
Walter’s lips twitched, and Philip looked as if he had eaten something rotten.
“I think Alice, Madeline, and I should start planning the wedding,” Eleanor suggested.
Alice and Madeline agreed and the girls immediately began discussing what they and everyone else should wear. Walter and Philip started talking in hushed whispers, probably about boxing or some other horrid thing.
Could no one remain focused on the current issue? Charlotte rapped a ruler on the table until she had everyone’s attention once more. “First, we need to ensure they agree to marry. If we are to help them along, we will need to anticipate the problems and address them. Such as . . .”
She glanced at Louisa, who shook out her skirts and glanced at her sisters. “Yes, such as getting along. We are only four to their seven. We need to agree to come toParléin the event we do not agree.”
“What isParlé?” Philip asked.
“It’s from pirates,” Louisa replied. “That’s what they do to negotiate.”
“Yes, indeed. I read that novel as well.” Charlotte was pleased she and Louisa had so much in common. “We must form our own set of rules to negotiate any difficulties that arise.”
She glanced around, making sure all the brothers and sisters understood. Madeline’s forehead puckered. “Do you have a question, Madeline?”
“Yes, what’s the purpose of the negotiations? We always go to Mama if we cannot agree.”
