Chapter Thirty-Six
That evening, Charlotte did her best with her hair and dress—choosing one of the two nicer gowns she had brought with her from Haverstone.
She wished now she had brought one or two of her more elegant gowns.
Not that she was trying to impress Mr. Morton.
But, it was the first company Clayton House had hosted since her father fell ill, and she knew Lavinia would dress her best, so Charlotte felt she must make at least some effort.
Once she had recovered from the shock of seeing Frederick, she had done as her father asked and made sure dinner would be acceptable for company.
Then, she fled upstairs, remaining in her room until it was time to come back down for dinner.
Seeing him again had renewed her sorrow over Robert’s betrayal, and she shed a few tears as she paced her room.
So many questions ran through her head: Why was her father offering the living to Frederick?
What was his hope in doing so? Did he have thoughts of encouraging a romance between her and Frederick?
It seemed ridiculous to imagine such a thing—her father had never once taken steps to put any gentleman forward as a potential match for her since she came out.
He had done his duty and paid for two Seasons in London, and he certainly was agreeable to sending her off to Haverstone for Dorothea to find a husband for her, but in all cases, he had kept his opinions to himself for the most part and exhibited little interest in any prospective romance.
So, she found it next to impossible to conjecture that he was now attempting to spark a match between her and Frederick.
Father means well, but I cannot believe he has any ideas of a romance between Frederick and me.
It likely is just as he stated—my praise of Frederick as a curate simply made it convenient for him to fill the living with minimal effort and that is all.
Besides, Frederick has never shown romantic intentions toward me.
He has never paid me any special attentions, such as sending me flowers or coming to call.
And since Robert, no doubt, told him of his attachment to me, I am certain Frederick only ever had thoughts of me as his future sister.
His awkwardness when we met today was likely due to his embarrassment over his brother’s behavior and does not signify anything else.
The matter somewhat settled in her mind, Charlotte washed her face before lying down to rest a while.
She resolved to be a gracious hostess that evening but to speak as little as possible to Frederick without appearing rude.
If she could just manage to keep her composure through tonight, then the next occasion when they met would be that less painful.
And each subsequent encounter would be easier until she would no longer think of him as the brother to the man who had broken her heart but merely as an amiable gentleman and the new rector.
*
At dinner, Charlotte’s father sat in his usual place at the head of the table with Lavinia at the other end.
As the guest, Frederick sat on Lavinia’s right and Charlotte directly across from him on her sister’s left.
Miles was seated down by their father. Lavinia, who loved company above all things, kept up a bright conversation, asking Frederick many questions about Brentwood.
“How lovely that your estate is so close to Haverstone, Mr. Morton,” she said, as the soup was served. “Dorothea wrote me this summer in great detail of the beauty of your home after their tour. I am certain you shall miss it terribly should you take the vacancy at Clayton Parish.”
“My brother inherited Brentwood so it is no longer really my home at all, Mrs. Kendall.”
“I understand he has recently wed.”
At this, Charlotte dropped her spoon loudly into her soup bowl, earning a disapproving glance from Lavinia. “I beg your pardon,” she murmured.
“He has,” Frederick replied simply.
“He hasn’t kicked you out from his home, has he? So that he may have his new bride all to himself?” Lavinia teased.
Charlotte reached for her wine glass but lifting it, she saw her hand was shaking, so she quickly set it back down. She hoped no one noticed.
“No,” Frederick said. “I believe my brother would be happy to keep me on as curate at Brentwood. But, my future there seemed without significant opportunity. So, when your father wrote to me, inviting me to consider taking the living here, it seemed very good timing. As a rector, I must be willing to move any place that will prove advantageous for my career. I am eager to minister to all who may be in need of my services,” he replied.
“Then, you are going to take the living? How lovely. I am sure your sermons will be far more palatable than the previous rector.” She laughed loudly, ending in a bit of a snort.
“However, I feel I must warn you—I am afraid Doddington is rather a backwards little community. Mostly farmers and shopkeepers. I hope you won’t be bored silly. ”
“On the contrary. I anticipate there are many delights here that will offer me ample diversion.”
Charlotte happened to look up at that moment to see Frederick’s eyes were fixed on her as he spoke. They held a gaze before he broke away and smiled at Lavinia.
“Your father tells me you are expecting a child, Mrs. Kendall. My congratulations. I look forward to baptizing your future son or daughter.”
Lavinia preened and stroked her belly, which was just now showing signs of her pregnancy.
“Thank you. It will be a son, I am convinced of it. I had to wait so long before being blessed with a child that I am certain the Lord is rewarding my patience with the next heir to Clayton estate. We are all so pleased.” With a nod to Charlotte, she added, “And, Charlotte will make a trustworthy and capable governess, do not you think?”
Charlotte saw Frederick’s eyes widen briefly.
“She has agreed to this?” he asked.
Overhearing, Miles broke away from discussing sheep with his father to speak.
“Now, Lavinia, we have not even asked Charlotte to consider being governess to the child. In any case, you will have a nursemaid for the first several years or so. My sister would not be ready to teach needlework to an infant, after all.” He laughed at his own joke, a braying sound.
Lavinia sent him a peeved expression. “We may as well settle things now. It is not as though she’s going to have children of her own, it appears.
” She beamed at Frederick and leaned in closely to speak in a low voice.
“I do not know whether you are aware, but Charlotte’s entire visit to Haverstone this summer was with a mind to our sister, Dorothea, finding her a match.
Yet, here she returns, as she did from two Seasons in London, still quite unattached.
What else is there for her but to be a governess? ”
Charlotte looked down at her hands clutching her napkin. She twisted it, willing herself not to burst into angry tears.
“But, Miss Kendall is still quite young to be considered on the shelf. She recently turned but one and twenty, am I correct?” Frederick spoke softly, but firmly.
“No one would say she has lost her bloom. Indeed, I cannot help but think there would be many eligible men who…who would wish to have her as a wife.”
“Well, from your mouth to God’s ear, I am sure,” Lavinia said, and nodded to a footman to clear the soup and bring the fish.
Charlotte raised her eyes to see Frederick staring intently at her. She could not make out his countenance—was it pity? Yes, it seemed so. She forced a little laugh and turned to her sister-in-law.
“Yes, Lavinia, do not depend on me to teach any of your children quite yet. Perhaps instead, I shall ask Papa for my dowry and run away from home to strike out on my own. I’ve always thought I should make a marvelous pirate.” She brought her spoon up to cover one eye.
The general laughter to her jest broke the awkwardness.
“A pirate you may choose to become, daughter, but please do not hurry to do so,” Evan Kendall said.
“I am counting on you to help Mr. Morton settle in to the rectory and parish now that he has agreed to take the living. When we were there today, I noticed things are looking a bit shabby, and I shall need you to assist him in choosing fabrics and such to make the old place look fresh and new.”
“The rectory is fine as it is, Mr. Kendall,” Frederick broke in. “I should hate to cost you any coin.”
“Nonsense,” Evan said heartily. “I think if you stay with us for a week or so, we can make a good start. Charlotte can help—choose new curtains, rugs, and so forth. A fresh beginning for you deserves nothing less.”
“I would be most happy to help, Father,” Lavinia cooed. “I assure you, Mr. Morton, my taste from furnishings to finishes is unmatched in the county—ask anyone. They will be quick to praise my good eye in choosing only the very best.”
“Yes, I recall hearing you just recently speak of updates you wish to make right here at Clayton House, Lavinia,” Charlotte could not resist saying. She was gratified to see a flush creep up her sister-in-law’s pinched face.
“No, no, Lavinia,” Evan said firmly. “I am sure you have your hands full getting the nursery prepared for my future grandson. We’ll leave the renovations of the cottage to Charlotte and Mr. Morton.” He smiled at them both. “Is that agreeable?”
They exchanged another glance and then nodded.
“Fine,” Evan said. “Mr. Morton, do have some more sauce for your fish. Charlotte, pass the dish to him, please.”
She did as he asked, avoiding Frederick’s gaze. Her mind was fixed on how rapidly she could complete any changes at the rectory.
Father is insisting on it, so I have no choice.
He doesn’t realize how uncomfortable this is for both of us, but that is my doing—he still believes my lies that my heart was not injured by Robert.
I cannot confess my heartache to him now.
He might take the living away from Frederick.
I must not let my feelings for Robert affect me in any manner.
I shall simply get the job done. And soon, it will be as though Frederick and I were never nearly brother and sister at all. It shall all be forgotten.