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“I should like that more than anything else in the world,” he murmured before whirling her down the procession, forgetting everything but the beautiful woman on his arm.
* * *
11
Sir John did not call the next day, nor did Charlotte see him anywhere when she went about Town. She was hardly expecting to do so. Three meetings within a week really was too coincidental and simple luck could not be used to explain another such meeting. Alice was disappointed when the day ended with no sightings of her older sister’s favored suitor, but Charlotte remained untroubled. She suspected that in spite of her assurances Sir John had taken his friends’ words to heart and was attempting to keep from upsetting her with his persistent company.
“I think he is rather uncertain, you know,” she replied serenely to Alice’s complaints. “And troubled, deep down. He does not wish to impose and I believe he is unused to opening up his heart to others.”
“Well, you shall certainly cure him of that,” Jane said fondly.
“I shall,” Charlotte agreed brightly.
“You put everyone at ease and most often manage to encourage them to open up despite whatever resistance they may have. I know you certainly did so with me,” said Jane.
“You?”
“You befriended me when I most needed a friend,” Jane said. “If Sir John needs a friend, I know you are up to the task.”
“Yes,” Charlotte said her face burning with embarrassment at the direction of her thoughts. “A friend.”
The dowager put her hand on Charlotte’s. “Friendship really does come first, dear one,” her mother said, “It is the basis for all else.”
Charlotte put her hands on her cheeks mortified that her mother might be able to guess her thoughts. Her mother and Jane chuckled as if they shared a silent joke at Charlotte’s expense.
“Then I shall be his friend,” Charlotte announced decidedly. “I cannot imagine why, but I feel that underneath his charming exterior, he somehow feels unworthy of friendship or affection, and that I cannot let stand.”
“Are you in love with him then, sister?” asked Helen, looking up from her needlework. Everyone else in the room looked up as well to catch Charlotte’s response.
“Oh dear no…” She paused recalling the way he held her when they had danced, the way she had felt in his arms. Her heart had beat so rapidly she was certain it would fly out of her chest. The song had seemed to go on forever and at the same time last only an instant.Was that love?“Well I believe I could be…” She admitted uneasily wringing her hands.
“I believe you are half-way there,” Her mother said knowingly.
“Perhaps,” Charlotte said thoughtfully. She had certainly never felt this way before, but how could she be sure he felt the same? She was certain she had glimpsed an answering depth of feeling in his captivating blue eyes, but she had been wrong before.
“I, for one, never thought that you could remain closed off to the idea of love for long,” Jane averred. “You only needed time to get past the disillusionment that you suffered with-”
“Oh, do not say his name.” Charlotte interrupted holding up her forefinger in warning.
“Nonetheless. Itislovely to see that you are once again open to the prospect of love,” Jane said.
“I needed more than time,” reflected Charlotte thoughtfully. “I think I also needed to meet the right person, before I could once again embrace the notion with a glad heart. Sir Johnisappealing, is he not?”
“Decidedly so,” her mother agreed. “I was very taken with his manner when we met at the opera. I am nearly of Alice’s mind, wishing he would have called today. But of course, paying calls the day after Almack’s isn’t really the thing to do, is it?”
“He would appear quite smitten if he did so,” Keegain said, as he entered from his study.
“You think he is not?” Charlotte said a hint of worry in her voice.
“I think, you have entranced him, little sister,” Keegain assured her with a warm laugh. “I feel quite confident that Sir John will call tomorrow. He said as much to me when we spoke.”
“Oh Ruddy, truly?” Charlotte said.
“Yes.” Keegain nodded in affirmation.
It was a liberating realization. Charlotte smiled. The doubts and insecurities that Lord Marley’s behavior had created within her seemed to be well and truly banished by her new found delight in Sir John Ashbrooke. The knowledge filled her with pleasure, and she lay awake half the night reflecting on how bright and hopeful the future seemed once more.
TheTonwas a charming place, filled with energy and light, but somehow her new mood had her longing for her family’s country home, where there was more wildness and freedom to be found. Charlotte wanted Sir John to see her childhood home. She wanted to ride with him and show him all her favorite trails and haunts. She wanted to tell him a thousand things about herself and know everything about him. Most of all she wished for him to take her in his arms as he had done when they had danced, only this time she wished that he would kiss her. Charlotte had never been kissed before, but her romantic heart had reawakened and she imagined it would be wonderful. She sighed wistfully. She wrapped her arms around her pillow and fell into pleasant dreams of Sir John’s kisses.
