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“Good,” Susan said, smiling down at her son. “I was worried all night.”
“She isn’t exaggerating,” William added with a grin. “I lost count of how many times she asked me if I thought you three were getting along.”
Susan elbowed her husband. “It wasn’t that many times.”
William turned toward Seth and put a hand up over his mouth, as though only speaking to the other gentleman in the room despite talking loudly enough for all to hear. “Itwasthat many times.”
“Getting in teeth is no cause to laugh,” Susan pressed. “Our doctor told me last time Samuel was in such a way that he’s known many babies who struggle greatly. Some even grow seriously ill.”
Charlotte reached for her daughter-in-law’s hand. It was true. Charlotte knew many individuals, doctors and friends alike, who’d heard of children passing away due to complications from teething.
“You have nothing to worry about here,” Charlotte reassured. “Samuel is strong and healthy as ever. He may be a little bothered now and then, but he certainly isn’t growing ill.”
“Partially thanks to you, Sir Mulgrave,” Susan said.
Seth only shrugged. Though it was a small shrug, as he still held a sleeping boy on one shoulder. “Happy to be of service.”
“I told the nursemaid to ready another cloth,” Susan continued, “in case Samuel grows upset when I move him upstairs. Would you mind holding him until it’s ready?”
“Not at all.”
Charlotte took Susan’s hand and pulled her down on the settee beside her. “In the meantime, tell us about tonight’s dinner party. Who was there, what was served?”
For the next several minutes, they discussed that evening. Susan and William told all about their night out, and then Charlotte and Seth told them how they’d entertained Samuel.
Soon, the nursemaid came in with the same tray as before, once more topped with a chilled handkerchief and a small bowl of sugar cubes. Susan took Samuel from Seth. The little boy opened his eyes at the movement and reached for his mother, apparently very happy to see her. After bidding them all goodnight, and once more saying how grateful she was to Charlotte and Seth, Susan left with Samuel and the nursemaid.
Charlotte, William, and Seth moved toward the front door, and a manservant was sent to ready Seth’s horse. They spoke for a moment more on the overall success of the evening. Once they were informed Seth’s horse was ready, he slipped out the front door and into the night.
Charlotte was quite sad to see him leave—of course, there was nothing for it. Yet, she couldn’t help but wish he didn’t have to go. It had been such a lovely time together. She’d felt a kinship tonight she hadn’t had in years.
“Mother,” William’s heavy tone instantly pulled Charlotte back into the present. His expression was equally grim. “I do feel I need to tell you something.”
“Oh?” Charlotte asked, still standing in the foyer.
“Tonight...your name came up, as did Sir Mulgrave’s.”
Ah, that. “What was said?” It wasn’t so much that she overly concerned herself regarding what was being said about her. But, as of late, those comments had been hampering her ability to help the orphaned girls of London. And that, she very much cared about.
“I’ll not repeat most of it.”
Gracious, that sounded more serious than she’d originally assumed.
“However,” William said, his voice not as quiet as it’d been when there had been a sleeping baby nearby, “it was clear that most people present tonight firmly believe your time with Sir Mulgrave has not improved your character.”
That was rather beastly of them.
And absurd.
She didn’t exactly believe she’d changed overly much since meeting Seth, but what little she had changed because of him had certainly been only for the better.
William looked down at his boots as he spoke. “I know you don’t usually care for such things, only—”
“There were several committee members there tonight.” Charlotte knew as much from the conversation they’d had together while waiting for the nursemaid to return with another cold rag.
William nodded. “And they were the most adamant of the group.”
“Blast,” Charlotte said, wrapping a hand over her eyes. Did the stupidity of society know no bounds?
