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He found it quite difficult to understand why she abruptly raced from a gentleman requesting to court her. Did she truly expect to spend her life away from society, teaching young ladies’ deportment? That was no life for a beautiful young woman and would certainly not pay very well.
What had happened in her life to put her on that path?
However, given how distraught she’d become when he asked to court her, he considered it quite a boon that she had agreed to join him for luncheon. If he were to move forward with what he hoped to be courtship, followed by marriage, he had to tread lightly. For whatever reason, she was quite skittish.
Most ladies liked to talk about themselves, so perhaps some conversation along the lines of her work might get her to open up a bit more. There was no doubt in his mind that she was hiding something that troubled her a great deal. His mind kept returning to a broken heart, or perhaps an occurrence even more sinister, which always managed to raise his ire when he considered it.
“How many students do you teach?” That seemed to be quite an innocuous question.
She must have thought so too because she offered him a soft smile. “I currently have six young ladies. Four of them will make their debut in London when the next Season starts. The other two have another year, but their mothers wanted them to have extra time to be prepared.”
“And what comprises your lessons?” He nodded at the waiter who placed their food in front of them. Delicious roasted beef, along with Yorkshire pudding, gravy, mushy peas, and boiled potatoes and carrots. He also placed a small, warm loaf of bread with a crock of butter on the table.
As they began to eat, Lottie talked about her students, each of their strengths and weaknesses and what they needed to accomplish to be successful on the Marriage Mart. Her eyes lit up as she talked, obviously loving the world that the girls were intended for.
But from what she said, not a world she intended for herself. Why? But his caution led him to silence and instead enjoyed her conversation.
Suddenly, Carter had a wonderful idea that would move his courtship along without Lottie suspecting his intents. “I say, it would seem to me that having a gentleman on hand to help the girls learn how to converse in Society might make a difference in their training. I find so many of the young ladies making their come-outs seem to be a bit—shall we say—shy? I’ve met some who could hardly speak of more than hair ribbons and gown colors.”
Lottie sat very still and studied him. Had he pushed too far, too fast? When a slow smile spread across her face, he relaxed. She wasn’t jumping up and racing from the room.
“That is a wonderful idea.” She raised her eyebrows. “I don’t suppose you would be volunteering to help, would you?” Her smirk told him she knew exactly what he was doing but didn’t seem upset by his suggestion.
He grinned back and gave a slight bow. “I am at your service, Miss Danvers.”
“It must be someplace public so as not to cause any sort of a scandal.”
“How about tea in the Pump Room?”
“Perfect! I can watch them closely to see how they conduct themselves in public, how they take their tea, engage in conversation, and make a good impression.” Lottie tapped her lips with her fingertip. “I believe taking two girls out at a time would work best. If we had all six of them together it would be too difficult to assess each girl’s behavior.”
Carter placed his napkin alongside his plate and sat back. Thank goodness she suggested only two girls at a time. He nearly panicked at the thought of six young ladies all giggling and fluttering their eyelashes at him.
“Then it is settled. Just let me know when and I will arrive at your home to escort you and two young ladies to tea.”
“But you have a business to run, Mr. Westbrooke.”
“Indeed, I do. But I can make time in my day to help young ladies be successful in their hunt for a husband.”
Lottie’s lips tightened. “I hate that term. It makes it all seem so cold, so calculating. I picture young girls with a bow and arrow pointed at some gentleman who is trying his best to escape.
“I prefer to think that the girls will be enjoying a social life while they decide if the gentleman paying them court is the one they care to spend the rest of their lives with.”
“Ah, I believe you are a romantic, Miss Danvers.”
She hesitated long enough that he began to think she would not answer him. Then she said, “Not exactly a romantic, Mr. Westbrooke, but I simply want more for my girls than what some of their parents do.”
He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “I like to think we are friends.”
She looked surprised at the turn of conversation. “I-I guess so.”
“Then please let us dispense with the formality. I would like for you to call me Carter, and I hope to gain your permission to call you Lottie.” He grinned. “I love that name, you know. It suits you so very well.”
“It’s really Charlotte, you know. Once I began my new life in Bath, I changed it to Lottie. Actually, it was my two friends’ idea. However, with regard to your request, though I still think it is improper, perhaps when no one is around to hear us, it might be acceptable. But I don’t understand why it is important to you.”
Despite knowing precisely why it was important to him, he remained silent. If he again mentioned his intention to court her and eventually—hopefully— marry her, he would most likely end up chasing her down the streets of Bath.
“Let’s just say I feel that it’s something that friends would do. For example, do you call Lady Pamela by that title? Or now that Miss Mallory is Lady Berkshire, will you be calling her that?”
