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“Am I?”
She slid a glance to Harry whose face had turned down. Apparently, not his idea.
“Of course, you must join us, Miss Drake,” he muttered in a reluctant tone.
“We shall have to see, Charlotte.” Louisa paused as the footman set the tea down on the table. “Have you been practicing your tea pouring?”
“Yes, Nurse lets me now.” She bounced a little on the divan as if she had too much energy to contain.
Louisa poured them each their tea. “Charlotte, all ladies sit very still when having tea.”
Her bouncing immediately stopped. “Yes, Miss Drake. Will you come and read to me again?”
“I’m sorry, Charlotte, but that would not be appropriate.” Louisa hated to see the downcast look on the little girl’s face. Almost as much as she hated seeing the irritation lining Harry’s face.
A commotion at the front door could only mean one thing. Mother and Emma were home early from shopping. Her mother opened the door with a look of shock, which she quickly replaced with a gracious smile.
“Your Grace,” she said with a quick curtsy. “How good to see you again.”
Harry rose with a bow and said, “It is lovely to see you too, ma’am. And you, Miss Emma.”
Emma walked into the room with a smile. “And who is this?” she asked, nodding toward Charlotte.
Louisa took the teacup from Charlotte. “Mind your manners, Lady Charlotte.”
Charlotte rose and then curtsied to them. “Good afternoon.”
“Mrs. Drake, Miss Emma, this is my daughter, Charlotte.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Charlotte,” Emma said sweetly. “What a lovely dress you are wearing today.”
“Thank you, Miss Emma.” Charlotte beamed over at Emma.
Her mother slowly sank in the nearest chair. “Your Grace, you have a beautiful little girl.”
“Thank you. Charlotte, we have taken enough of Miss Drake’s time today.” Harry held out his hand. “Come along.”
“Miss Drake, will you still come to see Chunee with us?” Charlotte asked Louisa.
She should say no, but she could not refuse Charlotte’s big brown eyes. “Yes, just let me know which day next week,” she replied, looking up at Harry.
“I will send a note,” Harry replied in a reserved tone. “Good day, ladies.”
As soon as the door shut behind Harry and Charlotte, her mother said, “He has called on you twice since he returned, Louisa. You must put a stop to it. Think of what people will say.”
“What if I don’t care what people say, Mamma?”
Emma stared at her with wide eyes.
Her mother continued, “You must think of your sister, if not yourself. Duke or not, there is too much scandal attached to his family name. Lord Bolton comes from an excellent family. If word of the duke’s visits reaches his mother’s ears, he might break off the engagement.”
“Mamma, I will not tell a dear friend of mine that he cannot call on me because of something his father did,” Louisa stated flatly.
“Besides,” Emma added. “Bolton would never break our engagement. We love each other.”
At least Emma had love. Something Louisa doubted she would ever have if she even married.
Chapter 8
