Chapter 10
Charlotte was perched on the low stone bench behind the house, letting the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun ease her worries for a moment, when quick footsteps on the gravel interrupted her solitude.
A young maid arrived, a little breathless. “My lady, I beg your pardon, but His Grace, the Duke of Arundel is here asking for you.”
Charlotte stilled. She’d been tracing the outline of a fresh sprig of mint she’d plucked earlier. “The duke?” she echoed, surprised. “He isn’t here for William?”
“No, my lady. Shall I let him know you’re… not receiving visitors?”
Charlotte shook her head, carefully smoothing her skirts as she rose. “No, I’ll see him right away. Thank you.”
She left the little hideaway in the garden that had become her favorite spot, with its few rose bushes, neat gravel path, and the lone lilac that perfumed the air, and headed back inside. Her mind whirled as she wondered what on earth would bring Henry here unannounced.
In the foyer, she found him standing near the marble-topped table, absently running his gloved fingertips along its edge. At the sight of her, he straightened and offered a slight bow. Despite the tension around his rich brown eyes, he looked every bit the poised duke.
Not to mention devastatingly handsome.
“Your Grace,” she said softly, curtsying. “Is everything all right? William is not here, I’m afraid.” Perhaps her maid had gotten the message wrong.
“Yes, well, actually, I came to ask if you’d care to join me for a walk in Hyde Park. I, ah… need some fresh air.”
Her heart did a little leap in her chest “A walk? Certainly. Let me just fetch my pelisse.”
He exhaled as if relieved. “Thank you. I’ll wait here.”
Charlotte told a footman to let her mother know she’d be out briefly with the duke, then hurried upstairs to grab her walking shoes and a light pelisse.
It was all so sudden, she half expected her mother to spring out, brimming with questions and insisting on being her chaperone, but apparently Lady Fitzgerald was occupied elsewhere.
Charlotte returned in minutes, accompanied by her maid, who carried spare gloves and a bonnet.
“Shall we go?” Henry asked, a hint of uncertainty in his tone.
She offered a bright smile, trying to suppress the fizzing in her stomach. “Lead the way, Your Grace.”
Outside, his carriage stood ready. A footman helped Charlotte up, and her maid slipped in quietly, taking a seat to the side so as not to intrude, although she looked as bemused as Charlotte herself felt.
Henry followed, closing the door behind him.
The carriage pulled away from the curb with a low rumble and the trot of hooves.
He didn’t say much during the drive, and Charlotte let the silence linger, watching him from the corner of her eye. He seemed preoccupied, his gaze focused on the window and his posture stiff.
Finally, she ventured a gentle question. “You seem troubled, Your Grace. Is this about the house party?”
His shoulders lifted in a subtle shrug. “It’s always about that house party these days,” he admitted, then gave her a quick half smile. “We can talk once we’re walking.”
Soon enough, they arrived at Hyde Park, and he handed her down from the carriage. The maid followed a discreet distance behind as they set off along one of the broad paths.
A mild breeze rustled the leaves overhead. Charlotte breathed in the scent of grass and daisies, acutely aware of her arm tucked into Henry’s. It felt oddly intimate, although she tried not to read too much into it.
He slowed his pace, glancing her way. “Thank you for coming. I… wanted to say I appreciate what you and your friends are doing.”
She tilted her head, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“William told me you wanted your friends to attend,” Henry said, lowering his voice so it wouldn’t carry. “I know you find these social gatherings difficult. He suggested that having more allies would help me navigate my mother’s matchmaking efforts. I’m relieved to have some support.”
When she didn’t reply, Henry’s eyes cut across to her. “William said you and your friends were aware of this plan?”
Her heart sank a little, but she kept her tone light.
“Yes, of course. We’re happy to help. Thank you for inviting them.
It will make the party much more comfortable for me.
If we can help spare you from some overly eager debutantes, all the better.
” The practical side of her was glad he acknowledged the ruse, but it also confirmed he had no personal interest in a wife at the moment.
Or in her.
In fact, he seemed to see her as an ally in his plan to not obtain a wife.
She suppressed a groan at how wrong their plans had gone.
He nodded, guiding her around a bend on the path.
“I feel cornered. Mother arranged this entire thing, and now every family with a daughter is talking about it. My only defense is to invite enough people that I’m not the sole focus of their matchmaking hopes.
Your willingness to help makes the prospect a bit less harrowing. ”
She mustered a smile. It was lovely that Henry saw her as a friend and ally, and once that would have been enough. But now, she wanted more.
She tried to speak casually. “It’s good news for me, too, Your Grace.
My friends can also help me dodge Sir Roger’s attentions.
” A tiny pang struck her at how calmly they were discussing the dodging of romantic interactions.
But she also knew if his mother forced him to choose a bride, he’d resent it.
Better for me to help him than to see him married to someone else.
Perhaps that was the most she could hope for.
They walked on. Dappled light fell across the path, and a few people they passed nodded respectfully at them. As they reached the trees, a young woman in a flamboyant pink dress appeared, escorted by an older lady. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the duke, and she hurried forward.
“Your Grace,” she exclaimed with an overly sweet smile. “How wonderful to see you. We’re looking forward to receiving your invitation soon, I trust?”
Henry tightened his jaw, returning her curtsy with a curt bow. “Good day, Miss…?”
“Brighton,” she supplied, batting her eyelashes. “Mother and I have heard such delightful things about Arundel Park.”
Charlotte remained silent, though the girl cast her a curious glance, her eyes narrowing.
The mother beamed, adding, “We’re quite eager to join you in the country, Your Grace.”
Henry’s politeness was very nearly frosty. “I’m sure the invitations will go out shortly. Enjoy your walk.” He then guided Charlotte past them before they could press him further. Charlotte saw the girl’s disgruntled look, and she shot Charlotte an envious glare.
Once they were out of earshot, Charlotte suppressed a laugh. “She was… enthusiastic.”
A weariness shadowed his features. “This is precisely what I’m dreading. Multiply that by a dozen or more, all hoping I’ll propose. I’ll need every ally I can get.”
She tapped her free hand lightly against his arm. “We will assist as we can.”
They strolled a bit farther. The shade of the trees was cool on her cheek. “I’ve always loved Arundel Park, you know. The gardens are so peaceful. I remember the few times that William and I visited, and you showed us that old orchard. It seemed practically magical.”
His expression turned sober. “Yes, it’s… a beautiful place, but it also carries problems I wish I could resolve.” When she arched an eyebrow in question, he simply shook his head, his eyes shuttering. “Just family issues. I won’t bore you.”
She dropped the subject, sensing it touched on something he felt it inappropriate to discuss, although her interest was piqued. They fell silent, enjoying a few more minutes of calm, and Charlotte realized her nerves were entirely gone. In fact, she was quite at ease in his presence.
Eventually, Henry suggested they circle back to the carriage, and they made their return journey in a comfortable quiet.
As they approached her home, a familiar green-and-gold carriage came into view, parked at the curb outside the Fitzgerald residence.
She stiffened at once. “Oh no,” she breathed, recognizing the crest. “Sir Roger.”
Henry glanced at her. “You weren’t expecting him?”
Panic pulsed through her, making her hands tremble. “No, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Mother is. He’s been… rather attentive, and I’m not in the mood to be cornered again.”
Henry rapped on the carriage wall, telling the driver, “Keep going. Don’t stop.”
The coachman turned onto the next street, leaving the unwelcome sight of Sir Roger’s carriage behind. Charlotte exhaled slowly, the adrenaline still coursing through her.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “I know it’s silly, fleeing my own house, but I can’t bear to deal with him right now.”
Henry watched her with empathy. “Is he that troublesome?”
She laced her fingers in her lap. “He’s certainly persistent. My mother and William don’t seem to mind him. In fact, I suspect they see him as a half-decent prospect, since I’m not exactly overrun with suitors.”
A trace of frustration sparked in Henry’s eyes. “It’s unfair that you feel forced to avoid your own front door. If he appears at the house party, we can definitely maneuver so you’re not stuck with him.”
She smiled weakly. “I appreciate that. I just hope my family doesn’t actively push me toward him in your home. That would be mortifying.”
He frowned. “They won’t have the chance—not if I can help it. You’ve made it clear you’re uncomfortable around him. That’s enough for me.”
Her face warmed at his protective tone even if it was purely friendly. “Thank you. I’m sorry you have to deal with all these entanglements at your own party.”
Henry shrugged ruefully. “Better to face them with allies. I’ll see to it that Leonard doesn’t pester you.”
The tension eased from her, and she relaxed into her seat. They rolled on for a few blocks, chatting idly about nothing in particular until Charlotte had regained enough of a sense of calm to return home.
At length, she said, “I think he’s likely gone now. We can head back.”
Henry rapped on the carriage again, instructing the driver to circle around. Soon, they pulled up to her house. She peered out to see that Sir Roger’s carriage was nowhere to be seen, thank goodness. Henry descended first, then offered his hand to help her down.
She stood on the pavement, her maid a step behind, and turned to Henry. “I’m truly grateful, Your Grace. That was a pleasant reprieve… from everything.”
He inclined his head in a gesture of farewell. “I needed it as much as you did. If you require anything, especially regarding Leonard, send word, and at the house party, we’ll make sure everything’s in place.”
She curtsied, cheeks warming. “I will, and I look forward to it. Please take care until then.”
He offered a polite bow, then climbed back into his carriage. Charlotte watched it roll away, her heart conflicted but fluttering. He’d sought her out for support, a sign of trust. She only wished that trust might lead him to see her in a new light.
Preferably before she ended up wed to someone like Sir Roger.