Charlotte could relax and allow his lordship to take her for a little perambulation around the lovely gardens attached to this equally gracious London house.
The house belonged to her betrothed’s family, and if she married him, she would live here, or Val might even lease an establishment of their own. The Shaws were a large family, sprawling, noisy and somewhat uncontrolled—all things her father detested. But he had agreed to the betrothal, because few people ever denied the Shaws anything.
Frankly, the family of the Marquess of Strenshall, and the extended family known in society as the Emperors of London, unnerved Charlotte, but she could hide behind her proper mask and smile and nod. She was perfectly aware that people thought she was dull, but she had little choice. So she smiled and nodded, just like always as Lord Kellett asked her about her favorite pieces of music, and the uncomfortably warm spring weather.
Charlotte was tempted to tip her head back and hold her face up to the sun. However, that would dislodge her hat and draw attention to her. She refrained, as she always did, from succumbing to temptation.
“I find the Italian operas somewhat too dramatic for my taste,” she confessed.
“Indeed, ma’am? I must introduce you to the great Sodrendo. His tone is divine.”
“A good countertenor is a marvelous thing.” Not that Sodrendo was a great countertenor. He sounded as if he was imitating the pure tone of the greats. The passion for the high-toned male voice had led to much mutilation of young boys and a few men who had remained intact but could sing in the higher range. For Sodrendo’s sake, Charlotte prayed he hadn’t sacrificed his manhood for an inferior voice. However, she wouldn’t dream of saying that out loud.
“Indeed, sir. I will ask Lord Valentinian to escort me and my chaperone one night.”
“Now that,” he said softly, “is what I would particularly like to talk to you about.”
With a swift left turn, he rounded a hedge and kept going, taking her to a small building at the end of the path. Nobody could see them if they entered. Greatly daring, Charlotte allowed Lord Kellett to take her between the twisted columns into the cool space within.
He escorted her to one of the hard wooden benches lining the white-painted walls, and she sat, her smile fixed in place. He sat next to her, as close as he could get, gazing at her.
He glanced down and then back up at her face. A small crease marked his smooth forehead. “Lady Charlotte, I find you charming and a delightful companion.”
If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was making a declaration. However, he could not intend that. “Thank you, sir. I confess, it is delightfully cool in here. How clever of you to find it.” She laid her fan on the seat next to her and folded her hands in her lap. “The garden is beautiful from this aspect.”
He barely spared the vista a glance. “I prefer the view from where I am sitting.”
“Sir—” She got no further.
“Madam, my lady…Charlotte. I have done my best to quell my feelings for you. But I can bear no more.”
He paused, seemingly at a loss for words, catching his bottom lip between his teeth. Although his words made her uncomfortable, Charlotte stayed to listen. “Lord Kellett…” She laid a gentle hand over his, which proved a mistake, because he captured it in both of his.
“Hervey, please call me Hervey, at least in private.”
She should not, but she’d do it to pacify him. “Hervey, then. You are aware I am betrothed?”
“Yes, and I am also aware that I am transgressing, not only with you, but with the hospitality of Lord Strenshall and his family.”
She nodded. Being in their house, he most certainly was.
“I cannot hold my emotions back any longer. Lady Charlotte, why do you allow Lord Valentinian to treat you so?”
Now it was her turn to frown. What on earth did he mean? “He treats me with respect.”
“I would not say so!” He spoke with such passion that she moved back. However, he did not let go of her hands. “He treats you with a great deal of carelessness. He is happy merely to have you in his sights, although he makes no move to further his connection with you.”
“We like one another well enough, but we prefer not to live in one another’s pocket.” Wistfulness infused her. She would like to know what that felt like, to have a man devoted to her, one who could not wait to marry her. Val had enjoyed a number of mistresses. She had no idea if he had one now. The thought did not sit well with her, but she would have to endure many such once they married.
Her mother had tolerated many before her death, but her father kept his women carefully closeted. There was never any scandal. He never used a society lady and he paid off his mistresses with enough of an annuity to keep their mouths shut. Charlotte only knew because she’d heard her brother talking about it with a friend. “My father has to pay for his pleasures because of his proclivities,” George had said with a sigh. George sent abroad for that transgression, to tour Europe with his tutor. Not that it proved any punishment, because he was soon setting Versailles on its ear.
“You have been betrothed for an age,” Hervey gently pointed out.
As if she needed reminding.
“Two years,” she said, setting her jaw. In all that time Val had treated her more like one of his sisters than his betrothed, and he had never broached the subject of setting a date for their wedding.
“Will Lord Valentinian not come to the mark? Because if he will not, there are plenty of people who will.” Was he speaking to her as a friend? He was caressing her palm with his thumb, which she found distracting. She wasn’t at all sure she liked it. His gesture made her want to scratch her hand. “I haven’t noticed a preponderance of men flocking to my door.”
“You only need one. May I be frank, Charlotte?”
She allowed the use of her first name. Intrigued, she nodded.
“My dear, I have become very fond of you. More than fond, if truth be told.”
“We have only been acquainted for three months.”
“I only needed an hour.” His fervent voice echoed around the hushed space, bouncing off the roof and back to her. “I have tried to remain silent, but I can do so no longer. I adore you, Charlotte, and I would love nothing more than to offer you my hand and protection in marriage.”
Shocked, she stared at him. Was he truly saying this? She’d had no idea he felt so strongly toward her. His blue eyes were wide and his mouth partially open, even though he had stopped speaking, revealing the gleam of sharp, white teeth. “I can say nothing, you know that.” What else could she say? The experience of having a man wildly in love with her had never come her way before, and she floundered, not knowing how to respond.