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“I have news from my sister…”Reginald began. “Patience says…”
Neville felt his heart stop. “I do not wish to hear it,” he replied.
Reginald was aware that Lord Wentwell harbored some feeling for Lady Charity. Still Reg looked all too pleased with himself and Neville wondered why he would boast of Michael’s union when he knew it would bring his friend nothing but pain.
“You shall hear it,” Reginald continued.
Neville waited with his hands pressed flat against the writing desk. He had been preparing for this moment for several days now, yet he still did not feel ready to hear the words that it was official.
“She refused him.” Reg stood rocking on his feet, his lapels held tight in his hands. A grin was on his face.
Neville did not even hear for he was too lost in his own thought.
“I assumed she would, Michael is a fine gentleman and will make an honorable husband,” Neville replied.
“Are you daft?” Reg laughed. “Did you not hear my words? She refused him!” It was all that Neville could do to wait in silence for the explanation. “They parted on good terms. Both agreed that there was no depth of feeling there, and Charity was adamant that she should marry for love. She does not love Michael Poppy.”
Lord Wentwell wanted to shout for joy, but he just shook his head. He had not expected such news and had no idea how to make sense of it. She had refused him? Why? He could not help but allow hope to bloom in his heart. If Lady Charity did not love Michael Poppy then perhaps she might have some feeling for him. Or, if not, then there might at least be a chance for him to convince her that he was worth her consideration.
He swore in a low tone.
“Are you not happy with the news?” Reginald asked.
“Of course I am,” he replied. “It is only that I have spent so much time allowing myself to be spoken of as the type of man that the Lady Charity would never consider. Now I fear that I will be unable to prove myself worthy of her affections.”
“You had best get to work then,” Reg said. “Charity will have many after her heart. There are many men, with better reputations than you, who will attempt to woo her.”
“But not with a title, nor more coin,” Lord Wentwell said.
“She cares nothing for money. She has never felt the loss of it, and I do not think she even cares for a title.”
“Then what does she want?”
“Love,” Reginald said. “She spoke long and with much depth on the subject to Lady Amelia Atherton, about her relationship with Samuel Beresford. And when she knew she loved him.”
“Patience told you all this?” Neville asked. It seemed a strange conversation for a brother and a sister, but he did not really know of such things. He only had a brother, and neither he nor Edmund were like to share feelings like a couple of women.
“No, not Patience. Samuel,” Reginald confessed.
“Samuel Beresford!” Neville was surprised.
“Amelia told him that Charity had come to see her, and she asked Samuel if you had an entendre for her,” Reginald said.
“And Beresford told her, yes?”
“Why yes, of course He did.”
“He had no right.”
“Good God, Neville, you are the only one still in denial. Follow your own advice why don’t you?”
“What advice?”
“The advice you gave Shalace. Go and talk to the woman.”
“I cannot,” Wentwell said.
“Oh, Poppycock,” Reginald said.
