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Distressingly, Charity’s lips tingled, and she swallowed. Drat. Now was not the time to think about Lord Ralston. Though truth be told, he was never too far from her thoughts. And she did not like it, not when the man clearly resented being attracted to her.
A small smile curved her mouth, and she hugged the pillow to her chest. Her very first kiss and how lovely it had been. “It is a pity you do not want to kiss me again,” she muttered. “I also refuse to think of you anymore, and I shall not allow you to disturb my sleep!”
Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the dark ceiling. Charity had not been speaking lightly when she told her brother she would move out. When the season ended, she would not retire to the country with him and Louisa. Charity would find a charming cottage to rent and a small staff and make it her home for the foreseeable future. She might also hire a companion to complete the picture of respectability. Thomas thought the only money she had was the monthly allowance he granted and her inheritance.
How surprised he would be to know that she had sold several pieces of her jewelry two years ago and invested the money into several profitable ventures. Berkeley Square was more than a sanctuary where ladies could come and be themselves. These ladies did not only let down their hair, walk barefoot, and gossip. They learned the arts of pugilism, fencing, and defense of self from experts in the skills to combat any event when they might need to save themselves from fortune hunters or rakes determined to compromise them. They had also been taught how to be smart with money and prepare for a future that was not at the whim of society and their parents.
Emboldened by the fact that a patroness of Almack’s actually part-owned a bank, Theo wanted to provide ladies of the club with more financial options.
The idea had been Lucinda’s own, who had been left in dire financial straits after the death of her husband. Theo, Charity, and Lucinda had spoken about it at length and decided they would hire a man of affairs and solicitor to help their members to understand finances and investments so they might increase their own finances and have some measure of independence.
Several of their members had a tidy nest egg saved away, and Charity herself had over three thousand pounds at her disposal, yielded from two different ventures. She also had a few more items of jewelry she could pawn, and with strict economy, could live comfortably in a seaside cottage until she came into her much larger inheritance of twenty thousand pounds.
Yes, it was time to make firm plans to live on her own and away from the constant berating and lack of understanding of her true nature from her brother. With that, Charity tugged the covers to her chin and tried to sleep, hoping she did not once again dream about a particular earl.
Or perhaps it is best that I do, she thought with a sleepy smile.
* * *
Ethan was enchanted.Just a little, but still with the wrong woman. She was too brash and too bold. Too unconventional. Lady Charity taunted his restraint with her honeyed laugh, and beautiful eyes that peered up and had stared at him a few days ago as if they were trying to unravel the meaning of his existence.
Invitation accepted.
That bold dare had robbed him of sleep for three damnable nights. The knowledge she was similarly attracted to him was not good for the dreams he’d had of this woman since he encountered her in Viscount Sallis’s home.
And then that bloody kiss. What should have been a simple gesture to startle her and scare her off had been an awakening for Ethan. He’d had his fair share of lovers, but none had ever rocked his entire foundation with a kiss. The taste of her had been like a potent wine, sweetly stirring his senses until his hunger for Lady Charity had felt like too much for him to contain. It had taken such willpower to end that kiss, and the lady hadn’t run.
From the upper bowers of Lady Peabody’s townhouse, he searched the crowded ballroom below. It did not take long for him to find her. She stood by a large Corinthian column swathed in gold cloth, chatting with a few of her friends. Sheathed in a dark green ballgown, her hair upswept in an artful chignon baring her graceful neck and decolletage, she looked sensuous and far too tempting. Several tendrils escaped the chignon and bounced around her sensual heart-shaped face, her quaint loveliness appearing more delicate than ever.
Lady Charity was not pretty in the conventional sense of the ton, but he found her lovely indeed. More than lovely…the lady was striking.
Without overthinking the matter, he walked over to the group, aware of the hush his actions created in those who noticed. Lady Charity was laughing and gesturing animatedly when he approached but quickly gleaned something was happening from her friends’ expressions.
Her words faltered, and she whirled around, snapping her fan closed with a graceful flick of her wrist. Her eyes widened, and her loveliness punched him in the gut.
“Lady Charity,” Ethan said, “Will you honor me with a dance for the next set?”
Astounded delight settled on her face, and she favored him with a blindingly bright smile. “A dance?”
“Yes.”
How dumbfounded she seemed before flushing a pretty pink. “I would be honored to partner you, my lord.”
Right on cue, the twenty-piece orchestra set started, playing a sensual waltz. Holding out his arm, she rested her hand lightly above his and allowed him to escort her onto the dance floor. Ethan had not danced in some time, but as he swept her into the dance, the practiced moves seamlessly came back to him. A wistful sigh came from his partner as she glided across the expanse of the dance floor with him. It felt…incredible having her in his arms like this. Ethan frowned, wondering what was it about Lady Charity that seemed to compel his attention. The attraction he felt was deeply disturbing.
“You are frowning,” she said.
“I am thinking.”
“Are you regretting asking me to dance?”
He pulled her closer, and her eyes flared in surprise, and then her lovely mouth curved into a smile.
“You have single-handedly upended the expectations of the entire ton,” she said with a light laugh. “It will be on everyone’s lips that you asked me to dance after not standing up with any particular lady since the start of the season. A risky proposition on your part.”
“And why is that?” he asked, turning her into an elegant whirl.
“Your future wife, whom I hear you will select this season, might not appreciate your efforts.”
