Page 44 of To Woo a Wicked Widow

Surreptitiously, at the table, she studied Georgina and found her friend sparkling and vivacious in her conversation with her brother and Elizabeth. She had even spoken pleasantly to Lord Fernley, on his best behavior today. He hadn’t even dared look at Charlotte.

Yet now Charlotte looked for strain in Georgie’s face, she found the signs. When Georgina listened to the other guests, her attention sometimes seemed to wander. A wistful look came over her face when Elizabeth talked about her home and family. Once she smoothed down her dress, a lovely white and blue sprigged frock, although Charlotte recognized it as one of Elizabeth’s garments from two years ago. Yes, she must extend the invitation immediately.

“Do you hunt here in Kent, Lady Cavendish?”

Charlotte started, then smiled politely at Lord Sinclair. “I have never done so, my lord, although my father has a hunting lodge in the eastern part of the county.”

“Jane has told me you are an excellent horsewoman. I would have thought you had ridden to the hounds at least once. Do you not enjoy the chase?” The tall, handsome man with a distinguished touch of gray in his hair, grinned at her, then back at Jane. His own gaze had a predatory gleam when it rested on the woman by his side.

“Sadly, my lord, neither my father nor my late husband approved of ladies joining in a hunt, although I do know those who relish the pursuit. Perhaps this year, as I am no longer constrained, I will join in the chase.” A freedom she might be forced to forgo should she marry, only to find her husband also disapproved of such activities for ladies.

She glanced away from Sinclair, who had already turned his attention back to Jane. As she stared at her plate, her situation clarified itself in her mind and new resolve made her straighten in her chair. Independence had been given to her, a great gift she would make the most of. To marry and relinquish it, even to the perfect man, would leave her wondering for the rest of her life. If that meant forgoing a husband and a family, then that was simply the price she would have to pay.

* * *

The afternoon wore on interminably. After luncheon her guests were free to walk about the grounds or chat at will. Charlotte had planned that in order to give any newly formed couples some time alone together. The only couple conspicuously absent were Jane and Lord Sinclair. Charlotte assumed they had retired to one or the other’s room for a private conversation. Georgie and her brother had gone out to walk in the gardens. Maria and Fanny were playing cards and Elizabeth had opened a book beside the fire.

Hearing a step on the stair, Charlotte left gazing out at the sunlit roses and turned, expecting to see Jane. Instead, Lord Fernley entered and stopped when he saw her. He glanced around the room; then some of the stiffness went out of his shoulders.

“Good afternoon, Lady Cavendish.”

“Good afternoon, Lord Fernley. We were sorry you could not attend church with us this morning. And we missed you at luncheon as well. Your arm is no better?”

Fernley flinched and turned pale. He rubbed the offended appendage and shook his head. “I am afraid not, my lady. I think it best that I return to London, as Lord Wrotham suggested.” He peered around the room again, and Charlotte had to bite back a laugh.

“We are certainly sorry to lose your company, my lord. I wish you a speedy recovery.” Charlotte dipped a curtsy as Elizabeth and the others gathered around. “Lord Fernley is taking his leave, ladies.”

They murmured their farewells, Fernley bowed, narrowly escaping putting out an eye with his high-pointed collar, and left.

“Did Lord Fernley seem a trifle nervous to you, Charlotte?” Fanny had returned to the card table. Her grin as she shuffled the cards belied the need for her question.

“He did seem to be looking for someone,” Elizabeth said, a smile touching her own lips.

“Lord Wrotham apparently made quite an impression on him last evening,” Charlotte ventured. He’d certainly made an impression on her. She rubbed her arms and went back to the window. She had no idea if he would turn up today or this evening. He’d not been at church this morning, even though he’d made such a point of wanting to see her there. Perhaps he’d grown tired of the party. Charlotte sighed. The cheerful afternoon sunlight masked the perpetual chill in the outdoor air. If they were lucky, however, there would be some warmer days ahead.

* * *

Dinner that evening did not improve. A pall had been cast over the whole party and Charlotte was at a loss how to lift it. She feared herself at fault and redoubled her efforts to engage her guests, yet she sensed the whole party overcome with melancholy. Were they unhappy with her hospitality? She thought not. Everyone had complimented her throughout the weekend on how well her first entertainment in her new home had gone.

She doubted Fernley’s departure had upset the company, but he had left her number of men sadly depleted. Perhaps that accounted for everyone’s lack of spirits. Or the fact that they would leave on the morrow, all except her and Jane. That thought left her melancholy as well. Still, she tried to rally the conversation when the ladies gathered for tea in the drawing room.

“We shall be sorely in need of company after tomorrow, won’t we, Jane? The party has been so lively, we will be quite at sixes and sevens for at least a week. Perhaps we should think about going up to town as well?” Charlotte hoped to plan a long visit to London shortly. Living so close to Lord Wrotham might prove detrimental to her in several ways.

“Oh, my dear, I am to be in such a whirl for the next month!” Jane beamed at Maria. “Sinclair has invited Maria and me to his estate in Suffolk. We are going to teach Maria how to ride. The poor thing never learned properly. Then, when hunting season arrives, he plans to have a ladies’ hunt.” Jane laughed, her eyes gleaming. She glanced around the room. “And you all are invited. Sinclair plans to make accommodations for all of this party, as well as a few new faces.”

“Do you know when you will return?” Jane’s news had thrown Charlotte into a dither. “I had hoped we could go up to Town before the harvest season begins in earnest. Of course, that may be delayed until late in September with this horrible cold, wet weather we’ve been having. Apparently, the farmers are hoping for a final spell of good weather to help ripen the crops.”

“I believe I shall have returned by then, my dear. And you know we are always welcome at Theale’s town house.” Jane smiled and turned to Maria, at her side as she had been all weekend.

“Thank you, but whatever am I going to do for company while you are gone?” Charlotte straightened her shoulders. The perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone had just presented itself.

Jane snapped her attention back to her cousin. “I can ask Sinclair to include you in the party of course.” Her gaze flicked over Charlotte’s face. “We would not dream of abandoning you.”

“I’m sure you would not, my dear.” Charlotte turned to Georgina beside her, who had just picked up her cup of tea. “However, I have actually hit upon an idea that will give you a bit more freedom to pursue your own entertainments without worrying about me being left alone.” She put her hand on Georgie’s arm. “I have come up with a scheme, my dear, that will be to both our benefit if you agree.”

Georgina stopped with the teacup almost at her mouth. Her brows furrowed and she carefully set the cup back into its saucer. “What do you mean, Charlotte?”

“After all the company I have had this weekend, I fear I am not inclined to the solitude of the country. Elizabeth, Fanny, and now Jane even are leaving. If you have no fixed engagements, I wondered if you would care to remain here with me? We will be great company for each other and when Jane returns, we can all go up to London.”