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“What do I know about it?” Jenna said with a sniff. “Perhaps I am mistaken.”
Charity groaned, not wanting to hide anything from her friend. “There is something between us, but I do not understand it fully or to where it might lead.”
Jenna grinned widely and glanced at Alice, who hurried before them inside.
“Let’s head to the gazebo over there where we are assured of privacy.”
“I am certain in a house as large as this, we can venture inside from the rain and find a room to talk.”
Jenna wrinkled her nose. “You say that because you do not know mama. She and Aunt Bess will sniff us out, and the moment when we least expect it, reveal that somehow they were privy to our conversation.”
Charity choked on her laughter as they slowly took their time and wandered over to the gazebo she confessed to Ethan kissing her.
Jenna gasped. “My brother kissed you?”
“Yes. More than once.”
“I cannot believe it.”
“I am not that ugly,” Charity said tartly.
“You, my friend are gorgeous,” Jenna said, swatting her arm. “I only meant I always thought he would be affianced to a lady before he took any sort of liberties.”
“Perhaps he is not as proper as you thought him to be.”
“You do seem delighted at the notion. I dare hope you are not planning to take advantage of my brother.”
They shared an amused glance before they dissolved into laughter. “Oh, Jenna, I do like him. It is so very unexpected.”
“I think you and Ethan would be perfect for each other.”
Charity’s heart stuttered. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I mean—”
“Stop, I do know what you mean; however, you are getting ahead of yourself. We had two kisses. Please do not marry us off in your imagination.”
“Is that so frightening?” Jenna gently asked.
Charity paused and stared at her friend. Frightening? Yes, it was. However, she could not explain. “I do not believe your brother would ever come to love me.”
“You are entirely lovable,” Jenna said loyally. “While he might not seem like a tender person or a gentleman given to sentiments, he likes you. I have never seen him interact with another lady as he does with you, Charity. It is very pleasing to observe.”
They did not speak more on the matter, and they retreated inside and into the large, cozy drawing room where they played card games with Miss Alice and, surprisingly, Aunt Bess. The earl spent the day in his study going over business and land matters while the countess read Shakespeare.
Charity tried not to allow impossible dreams to brew inside her heart, never forgetting that the earl was reputed to be a proud and arrogant sort of gentleman. Men like that did not fall in love and marry vivacious and sometimes daring ladies like Charity. Perhaps they kissed them, and for now, that is all she would hunger for.
Kisses…and perhaps a little bit more.
* * *
Ethan’s cousin,The Honorable Robert Wainwright and his sister, Miss Emelia Wainwright, visited and were obliged to stay overnight because of the inclement weather. Ethan had also missed his cousins whom he had not seen in a few months and urged them to stay. The twins were rather lovely with their bright brown eyes and black hair like his own. They were dressed in the eye of fashion and often complimented each other on their choice of colors and styles. Still, they were good-natured, amiable, and responsible, even if they did not act like it all the time. Mother and Aunt Bess were also delighted with Robert and Emelia’s presence, and that also convinced them to stay beyond overnight and for a few days in Dorset.
Dinner had been a boisterous affair with much laughter and an amusing anecdote from Robert about the amorous behavior of the sheep on his farm in Derbyshire. Miss Alice had wrinkled her nose, and Jenna had choked but not Charity. She had laughed, delighted with his cousin’s humor and Robert, in turn, had seemed fascinated by her. The man had then spent the entire dinner trying to amuse her, and she had not let him down, even complimenting his wit and his dramatic flair for making even the most mundane of stories exciting.
Robert seemed enchanted with Lady Charity, and his eyes strayed to her several times throughout the several courses of the meal. It also delighted his mother, who seemed to make it her life mission to marry off every gentleman in the family who was single and eligible.
After dinner, they had retired to the drawing-room to play a game of charades at the request of Jenna, who was delighted to have more company.
