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“Regardless, it hardly signifies now, as I’m done with trying to shape myself into the silent, compliant woman you desire I be. Last night, I was reminded that my whole purpose in associating with the asylum is to help young girls who need it. If you won’t allow me to do that, I can do it on my own.” Charlotte reached to the side and took Seth’s hand. “And I do it better with this man by my side. If you can’t see that, then you all are denying the added wisdom time is trying hard to provide you.” She paused for a moment. “I can’t make you change your opinion. So let me be clear. I’m done forcing my relationships—with anyone—into the small box dictated by those of you around this table.”
Her voice firmed. “I am the Marchioness of Blackmore—stand against me at your own peril.”
Pushing away from the table, Charlotte walked quickly to the back of the room. A footman jumped to open the door for her. Just before leaving, however, she turned and addressed the room one last time.
“I fully expect this committee will do what is right and honorable by dismissing Lord Windham forthwith. More still, know that I will be speaking with nearly every girl both now at the asylum and any who have recently been given positions and have left. If I find that any other gentleman has been involved in similar debauchery as Lord Windham, I will make sure all of London knows it. We are here to save and protect girls, gentlemen. Either help me while I do it, or get out of my way.”
Without giving them time to bid her adieu, she spun on her heel, her skirt billowing out behind her, and marched from the room.
* * *
Charlotte leaned back against the squabs of her carriage. Had she truly just said all those things to the committee?
“You were spectacular,” Seth said, sitting beside her.
Charlotte laughed softly. “It felt spectacular. I only hope I don’t end up regretting it.”
He took her hand and kissed the back of her glove. “Never.”
Charlotte leaned against him. Now that she’d had her say and taken a stand, she felt rather tired. Of course, that could certainly be because she hadn’t slept a wink last night.
“There was a time when I could dance through the night and hardly feel it the next day,” Charlotte said with a large yawn that refused to be hidden. “I somehow think those days are over for me.”
Seth chuckled. “I can’t believe anyone would care to danceall night long.”
Charlotte snuggled in closer to him. “It sounds like you never found the right dance partner.”
He leaned in slightly, and for a moment she thought he might kiss the top of her head. Instead, he spoke, and when he did, it was in a deep, rumbling voice.
“Charlotte.”
A chill of anticipation shot through her at his tone.
“Yes?” she asked, her voice going soft on its own. She suddenly was very aware of how she pressed up against him. How comfortable it was, how easy. But also how marvelous—how natural and wanted−it was to be together.
“Did you mean what you said?” he asked.
Charlotte’s brow creased, and she sat up, then turned and faced him. “What do you mean?”
“You said you were done forcing your relationships into the confines laid out by others.”
Charlotte reached out and took his hand in both of hers. “Of course I meant it.”
“So, that means no more avoiding each other in public.”
“I think we already established that was one of my less than brilliant ideas.”
He turned and faced her more. Wrapping his fingers around hers, he pulled her in slightly. “And no more making up arguments?”
“You are free to hate fish out loud all you want now.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up, and Charlotte found it hard to look away.
“I still claim it is my right,” Seth said, “tonotdo anything that I feel might cause you harm.”
“And do you feel we need to come up with another plan? Another way to prove we are merely friends?”
Seth’s hand moved to her chin, cupping it gently. “After that speech, I think the committee strongly suspects we are more than friends.”
