Page 60 of How to Wed a Courtesan

‘Have a care for your reputation,’ Lottie cautioned. ‘It would be preferable if he was courting you first.’

At that, Lady Caroline beamed.

Lottie gasped. ‘Do you mean...?’

Lady Caroline squealed in a very unladylike manner. ‘He spoke with my brother this very afternoon. Seth told me he was practically melting with sweat, the poor dear.’ An endearing smile widened on her face. ‘He said Lord Rawley asked if he might court me. When I asked Seth what he said in reply...’ She giggled behind her hand. ‘He told me he replied, “It’s about bloody time. Please do, by all means.”’

Lottie laughed along with Lady Caroline, and went to the sweet young woman to embrace her. ‘I’m so very happy for you. Perhaps that kiss isn’t too far off, then. But mind you are still careful.’

‘Most certainly,’ Lady Caroline vowed with seriousness. ‘And what of you?’

The question took Lottie aback. ‘Me?’

‘You and your handsome hero,’ Lady Caroline prompted. ‘We all saw Lord Westix punch Lord Devonington at the ball. I wager most men have wanted to put their fist in that man’s face a time or two. And he did. For you. If that isn’t romantic, I dare say I don’t know what is.’

‘I... I...’ Lottie stammered.

‘And I hear he sends you flowers once a week.’ Lady Caroline glanced at the irises and white tulips, sitting beside a bundle of pink roses. ‘Eleanor told me.’

‘It isn’t like that between us.’ Lottie shook her head. ‘It can’t be. I would never be accepted among the ton.’ Her cheeks went hot as the familiar blanket of humiliation fell over her.

‘You already have been. By me, Violet, Eleanor—and all the other ladies you have taken the time to instruct. Fie to the rest of them, I say.’

‘We thought to wed once,’ Lottie admitted. ‘But we were young. I was...different.’

‘A second chance at love, then?’ Lady Caroline pressed her hands to the crimson velvet bodice of her gown and gave a wistful sigh. ‘Now, that is terribly romantic. Like Lady Alice.’

‘You don’t mean with Lord Ledsey, do you?’ Lottie tried to keep the scowl from her face. The Earl really was terribly despicable.

Lady Caroline recoiled in horror. ‘Heavens, no. I mean her soldier—George.’

Lottie had received notice from Lady Alice earlier that day, begging off her lessons with a message that she would explain later. Perhaps a miracle had happened.

‘Is he home?’ Lottie asked in disbelief.

‘Yes,’ Lady Caroline breathed. ‘Isn’t it a marvel?’

Indeed, it was. And Lottie was overjoyed that her student would be able to recapture her lost love. The topic of the returned soldier was also a fortunate way for Lottie to brush aside any of Lady Caroline’s concern for herself and put the focus back on encouraging Lord Rawley’s affections. Hopefully their courtship would soon turn to marriage and a lifetime of happiness.

Following Lady Caroline’s lesson, Lottie retired early, sitting before the vanity as she readied herself for bed.

Silky bumped her head against Lottie’s ankles. Just as she bent to stroke her cat, Sarah approached, regarding her through the reflection in the mirror.

‘I wasn’t listening in, but I did overhear what Lady Caroline said as I was passing by about taking a second chance at love. You know how I feel.’

‘I do,’ Lottie replied. ‘And I’m still cross with you.’

Sarah folded her arms over her chest in the stubborn way she exhibited from time to time. ‘Better you be cross with me and find happiness rather than be merely content and remain sad and lonely.’

Lottie straightened and turned to look at the maid. ‘He wants to go to the cottage.’

‘Of course he does.’ Sarah gently shifted Lottie’s shoulders forward and dislodged the jewelled comb from Lottie’s hair. ‘He’s seeking a connection with Lily, and the cottage is the best way he can find it.’

Lottie, of course, knew this already. She remained quiet in contemplation as Sarah slid free her hairpins and Lottie’s dark hair tumbled down over her shoulders.

‘Think of it this way.’ Slowly Sarah began to brush out Lottie’s long tresses. ‘If he had been there with Lily and you hadn’t, how would you feel?’

Lottie pulled in breath.