Chapter 1
“Did he not say why he needs to see me?” Lady Charlotte Pembroke’s pulse began to race as she turned to her maid.
Shaking her head, Georgina came forward and began to tidy the loose tendrils of curly blonde hair at the back of Charlotte’s head. “No, My Lady. He only said to summon you at once.” Her hands worked quickly to pin the hair in place with expert precision.
Taking a deep breath, Charlotte turned back to her reflection in the mirror as she sat on a stool in front of the vanity. Her pale green dress brought out the green in her eyes and highlighted the delicate structure of her frame.
What could he want?
She knew very well that her father would only summon her if she had gotten into trouble or worse, he’d secured a match. She clenched her slender fingers over her knees, bunching up the fabric of her dress.
“I am sure His Lordship means well, My Lady. All care and consideration will be given to finding you a husband,” Georgina spoke softly, taking a step back as she admired her handiwork. Her mousey features and bright green eyes were filled with sympathy and understanding.
Straightening her shoulders, Charlotte swirled around with her hands still on her knees.
“That is just the thing; I do not wish for my father to find me a husband. Women should be allowed to fall in love and make their own decisions. I do not know why personal autonomy is such a foreign concept to members of the ton,” her voice was filled with defiance as she stood with grace and elegance.
Georgina seemed to be suppressing a sigh as she let out an exasperated breath. “That is not how the world works, My Lady.”
“And why not? You are free to fall in love and marry whomever you choose. Why should my status and birth change just because I am the daughter of an Earl?” She gestured in the air irritably before shaking her head.
“I can marry within reason, My Lady, but that is beside the point. His Lordship is waiting for you in the study. You won’t know what the matter is unless you see your father.
You cannot keep denying the suitors forever.
” Georgina bowed respectfully and backed away, leaving Charlotte alone with her thoughts.
Looking around her grand chambers that housed only the best, Charlotte couldn’t help but feel alone. She had everything that a young lady could want at twenty-two.
Status, a fine house to live in with her parents, ornate furnishings, and even a close circle of friends, yet she longed for the freedom of making her own decisions.
“I have no choice,” she sighed and straightened her dress, heading down the corridor with mounting unease.
If it were another suitor that her parents had found, she’d simply deal with him like the rest. A day would come when she’d meet a man of her own choosing and throw off the yoke of societal norms.
It didn’t take her long to reach the study where her father was seated behind his large, oak desk.
Philip Pembroke, the Earl of Westbrook, hardly noticed her presence until she spoke up.
“Papa, you sent for me?” she asked in a nervous yet respectful tone as she came to a stop beside the bulky leather chairs in front of the desk.
Looking up from a document, her father blinked a few times as if he had been lost in a world of his own.
His dark green eyes focused on her as he cleared his throat and placed the document on the desk.
“Ah, Charlotte, I was wondering when you would come. I have some news.” His words were cold and devoid of emotion as they usually were.
Charlotte could feel her palms beginning to sweat as she clasped them behind her back.
“I have been in correspondence with the Duke of Carleton for quite some time now. We have come to the decision that you will marry his son, Lord William Armitage, the Earl of Ashford.” His eyes instantly fell back to the documents on his desk in a dismissive manner, displaying the top of his thinning brown hair.
Her heart stopped as if the rug had been pulled from under her feet. “But Papa, I have never even heard of him!” She stepped forward, allowing her arms to fall to her sides.
Looking up sharply, her father glared at her down his long nose. “Yet it makes him no less noble and worthy of marriage.”
“But I…” Her heart suddenly filled with indignation at the thought of marrying a man she’d never met. It was one thing that her father kept thrusting suitors in her direction, but something else entirely to force her into marriage.
“But you will do as you are told. Your mother and I have indulged your rebellious notions for long enough. You are the daughter of a noble house, and as such, you will make an advantageous marriage. As it is, you are already nearing spinsterhood, I shall not stand by and watch my only daughter become fodder for the gossip columns.” He sat back in his chair and placed the tips of his fingers together. “The matter is already settled.”
Raising the back of her hand to her forehead, Charlotte suddenly felt dizzy as she spoke in a meeker voice.
“I cannot marry a man I have never even spoken to…” How had things gotten so out of control so quickly?
If anything, she had assumed that matters would follow the same path as they always had.
Her father and mother would suggest a suitor, she would meet the man and throw him off with her defiant ways and beliefs. At least in the past, they’d allowed her to choose. This was different.
Placing his hands flat on the desk, her father came to his feet with haste, causing some of the documents to shift. “I will not hear another word on the matter. The Earl of Ashford is more than suitable.
A special license has already been procured and the two of you will be married within a fortnight.” His eyes darkened as he looked at her, making her father more formidable than she’d ever seen him before.
Taking a step back, Charlotte shut her mouth, realizing the seriousness of her father’s decision.
This cannot be happening.
Her heart thudded furiously as she searched his face that resembled her own in so many ways. From his aristocratic features to the green in his eyes passed down to the hazel in hers.
His voice softened a little as he stood up straight and composed himself. “This is for the best, Charlotte. You have a duty to this family and the society into which you were born.”
“And what of the duty I have to my own heart?” She raised her head, looking her father in the eyes defiantly.
He looked at her for a moment, seemingly taking her words into consideration. “True love is the notion of a child. You are a woman now, and as such, you must do what is right. Marriage has nothing to do with love, and everything to do with honor and duty.”
“Is that why you married Mama? Honor and duty?” She asked him quietly.
Her words made him stiffen as he averted his gaze. “Yes, and now I expect the same from you.”
Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach as the walls of the study suddenly seemed to close in.
“Well, I shall be taking my leave then, good day, Papa. Please let me know if any other decisions are made for me. I would hate to miss something important,” she said stiffly with just a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Ignoring her remark, her father took his seat and returned to his task.
Why does he have to be so cold?
She turned away from the desk, heading out the door as she struggled to wrap her mind around the sudden development. She had woken up as a young lady with opposing views to expectations, yet now she was betrothed without a say.
No.
She made up her mind instantly that she would not simper and mourn the loss of her autonomy. Her father may have decided for her, but she would choose to carry herself with dignity and grace.
They could try and force her into marriage, but she would have the last say when things came to a head.
“My Lady?” Georgina drew her attention to the side in a gentle voice.
“Yes?” Charlotte turned to face her, swallowing hard as the news still played heavily on her mind.
“Miss Thornton is waiting for you in the parlor.” The maid eyed her cautiously as if she were a delicate vase about to shatter.
Pulling herself up straight, she forced a smile. “Wonderful, please bring us some tea. I shall go and see her at once.” She lifted her chin and walked down the hall, bracing herself for the future that lay ahead.
Entering the parlor down the hall from the study, Charlotte instantly noticed her dearest friend and companion, Abigail Thornton.
Miss Thornton had been hired by the Pembroke family to act as a companion and secretary of sorts for Charlotte. She was an elegant young woman of twenty-five with dark mahogany hair, kind brown eyes, and a pale complexion.
“Abigail, you have come just at the right time. Have you heard the news? I am sure the ton will be buzzing with gossip by now. I am to be married.” She chose the dark green settee opposite her friend and sat, keeping the stiff smile fixed to her face.
“I beg your pardon?” Abigail seemed utterly taken aback as she tilted her head to the side.
“Oh yes, it has all been arranged, you see. I am to marry an Earl before the month is out. Papa has obtained a special license, all in the name of doing what is best for me and this family.” Her chest rose and fell with every breath as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Acting as if she was not at all phased by the news was easier said than done. She could feel her smile slipping a little when Abigail’s deep brown eyes bore into hers.
“Charlotte, are you certain that you are alright? You look as if you have seen a ghost.” Abigail’s soothing tone made something within her snap.