Page 27 of Always the Chaperone

He handed the invitation over and watched John’s eyebrows rise as he read the short missive.

“Well, well!” laughed John. “And will you go?”

“I am not the only one invited,” pointed out William. “I do not believe one of us can attend without the other.”

“I am more than happy to attend. Lady Charlotte is an excellent conversationalist, and I have naught to do until luncheon as it is,” John said, reaching out for a large, burnt potato.

“What do you think she means by it?” William had not intended to speak aloud, but it was impossible to keep the question to himself.

John’s eyebrows raised. “By an invitation? I would say she would like us to have tea with her. What more could she mean?”

Tea it was to be then, and he could no easier fathom what Charlotte’s thoughts were than his own. What did he want from her, from this invitation for this morning? He wanted her body, certainly. Their moment outside the Pump Room had certainly proven that.

He wanted more. He wanted to know her thoughts, her opinions. Why did she rarely speak? Was she afraid that he would not take her seriously—or perhaps, that he would?

So lost was he in his thoughts, that it felt like no time had passed when he found himself knocking on the door of her home.

“I hope she has cake,” John said, stamping his feet in the brisk morning. “I am famished.”

William could barely think. It seemed an age before the door was opened, and there stood Matthews. The butler looked somehow much taller and more imposing than when they had last visited.

“Your Grace, your lordship,” said Matthews quietly with a frown that made William’s nerves increase. “You are expected.”

He may as well have saidyou are to be executed, for that was the feeling it imparted. John, however, appeared to be immune to Matthews’s displeasure.

John stepped forward without a care, and William followed.

There was a door open to his left, and John strode in. William hesitated. This was her territory, their first meeting on her own soil. Through the doorway came the welcoming tones of a woman and John’s laughter.

This is no time to wait around,William told himself.Move, man!

Somehow, he managed to walk into the room. Charlotte wore a simple day dress more suited for a miss rather than a lady. There was a nervous smile on her face as she indicated he should be seated.

William’s heart softened. After all his wonderings and concern, there was no ulterior motive here, just a desire, it seemed, to spend more time together.

“I never thought I would find myself the chaperone,” John joked as the three of them sat down. “Fear not, my lady, I will guard you against my brother if needed!”

It was well-meant but badly done. William saw the faint flush on Charlotte’s cheeks as she took in his brother’s words, but John seemed utterly oblivious.

“Well, I cannot tell you how pleased we were to receive your invitation, Lady Charlotte. This will be the best food and drink we have had all day!”

“Indeed? You have not found your lodgings to your liking?”

“Not at all,” John said with a sigh. “Will was saying only this morning that we should look for another situation. Were you not, Will?”

William opened his mouth but found no words forthcoming. Charlotte looked up, tea in hand, and passed it over to him silently. He accepted it.

“Yes,” said John calmly, a little frown at his brother’s silence but more than able to continue the conversation. “We had not expected to be in Bath so long, and so the rooms we acquired for our duration do not suit.”

William took a long sip of tea as John continued speaking. What was happening to him? He was not usually struck dumb in any setting, but it was not difficult to see why this would finally defeat him.

His eyes took in the plush leather wallpaper, the delicate embroidery on every surface, the rich, gilt frames around paintings of women who looked remarkably like Charlotte all around the room.

This was the parlor of a lady, a truly noble one.

This was not his setting. No, this sort of formal place was more suited to a man of rank and breeding. Even when a major, invited to some of the best homes where they were billeted, William had never felt comfortable.

John had fallen silent, and William glanced at Charlotte and saw her blush again.