“Then the young men in this district must all be chuckleheaded morons.”
Charlie smiled. “Not really, but most of them know I’d probably box their ears if they tried to flirt with me.”
“It’s not really flirting if the compliment is sincere.”
“I suppose.” Flirting was another feminine skill that eluded her.
“So,” Ainsley said as she finished buttoning the gown. “You and Kade knew each other as children. That was quite an interesting revelation. Were you good friends?”
Charlie tugged at her neckline, oddly disconcerted by the change in topic.
“I certainly considered him a friend. But we were quite young, you know, and it was only that one time at Inveraray.” She mustered a smile. “I’m sure he thought I was a terrible pest.”
“I’m sure he thought you were charming.”
“I was certainly something, though I don’t think it was charming.”
Ainsley gently turned Charlie around by the shoulders. “Don’t tug on your neckline, dear. I’m sure that Kade appreciated you standing up for him. Although he’s always had a great deal of courage, he needed protecting back then. I think it’s splendid you stood up to a bully.”
“Girls aren’t supposed to be champions—or go around hitting boys, either.”
“Sometimes that is exactly what they are supposed to be and do.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow. “I’m beginning to think you’re as unconventional as I am.”
“I do my best, but let’s get back to Kade. Even though you only met once, you obviously got to know each other quite well.”
“So well that he forgot me,” Charlie dryly replied.
“But you didn’t forget him.”
“No, I never could.” Then she froze, aghast at what she’d just blurted out and what it revealed about her.
Ainsley, however, simply continued to fix her bodice and then puff out her sleeves to their full puffiness.
“Our Kade is quite unforgettable.” The young woman took a step back and critically inspected Charlie. “There, you look lovely. That leads me to suspect that Richard Campbell is interested in something else besides your money, dear.”
“Oh, God.” Charlie sighed. “I hope not.”
If Richard actually liked her as a woman, that would make the situation much more difficult.
“Now, you’re not to worry,” Ainsley said. “No one will force you to marry Richard or anyone else. We simply need to come up with a plan to scare him off.”
Charlie snapped her fingers “I know. I can run his carriage off the road, too. That should do it.”
“That seems like an awful lot of trouble, dear. Perhaps you’d best shoot him and get it over with.”
Charlie spluttered out a laugh. “Don’t let Mamma hear you say that. Richard is a great favorite of hers. But a few days in his company and I swear you’ll want to shoot him, too.”
“Then before we get arrested for murder, we’d best send him off with all speed. When does he arrive, by the way?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
A prospect she regarded with as much enthusiasm as a tooth extraction.
“Then we’ll leave that problem for now.” Ainsley fluffed the skirts of her own gown and took a quick glance in the mirror. “I believe we’re both now in prime twig. Shall we go down and join the others?”
“It’s been much more fun chatting with you, but I suppose we must.”
