Chapter Four
Lambertson House
Manchester Square,
Mayfair, London
Charlotte was in the morning room with her parents. As they finished breakfast late in the morning to the point it was nearly noon, she reflected upon that kiss at the bookshop.
Could being kissed by a stranger curl a woman’s toes?
If so, that was exactly what had happened when Lord Wolcott had so yesterday afternoon.
She pushed a bit of golden scrambled egg about her plate with the tines of her fork.
Though he sported facial hair in direct defiance of societal rules, it hadn’t been unpleasant against her lips when he’d kissed her.
At first, it had tickled, but then she’d become used to it, and the touch was nearly like a caress.
To say nothing of the fact that she’d felt like floating when his arms had come around her.
The moment he’d teased her tongue with his, she nearly melted into a puddle at his feet, for her fiancé had never kissed her like that nor had he made her feel both like flying and dying with longing at the same time.
So why did a kiss with a stranger do that to her?
Softly, Charlotte cleared her throat. “Uh, Mama, how well do you know the Earl of Wolcott. What sort of person is he?”
Before her mother could answer, her father rattled his newspaper and groused, “The man is absent more than he attends his duties to parliament. That’s what I know.”
“There are many members who do the same,” her mother said with a shake of her head. Then she met Charlotte’s gaze. “However, I’ve heard Lord Wolcott is naught but a rake and a man of many vices.”
“Interesting.”
Her father folded the newspaper and set it on the table next to his plate. “Wolcott is a few years away from forty. Rumor has it he comes from a family of unlucky men. They’ve all died early from odd deaths. No doubt that is what fuels his behavior.”
“Oh!” Her eyebrows raised in surprise, but it was also understandable, and she felt a kinship with the man, for her own luck had been a bit horrid. “Is he married? Engaged? Attached?”
Both of her parents stared at her.
“Um…” Her mother shook her head. “I rather doubt it. He’s too much of a skirt chaser to settle down. Frankly, he’ll probably die before then in any event.”
“If he’s fortunate.” Her father huffed. “There have been rumors, though, that he’d best procure an heir before he pops off the mortal coil like all his relatives. He’s been recently seen at society events, talking to various eligible women, so I suppose the gossip is to be believed.”
An ache set up in her stomach, as if she’d been hit, but there was no reason for it. She had no claim to him, and one kiss didn’t mean anything to him, especially from a man like the earl. “Well, perhaps everyone must marry at some point. He has a title, after all.”
Her mother frowned at her. “Why do you want to know? I’ve never heard you mention him before.”
Heat went through Charlotte’s cheeks, so she glanced down at her plate and hoped her mother wouldn’t think anything of it. “He came into the same bookshop where I was yesterday, and I was curious about him.”
“Oh, Charlotte.” Clearly, her mother wasn’t pleased, if her tone was any indication. “What were you even doing there? The beau monde doesn’t run errands for themselves. You should have sent your maid.”
“Do stop, Mama.” Charlotte fixed her gaze on the ceiling before looking at her mother again.
“That is such an antiquated way of thinking. Where is the fun of sending a servant to a shop? It means I can’t browse books myself, and they’re so personal.
” What was more, because the earl interrupted her perusing, she’d come home empty handed.
“As for why Lord Wolcott was there? I couldn’t say.
He didn’t spend much time looking at the shelves before he left. ”
Then her mind jogged again to the earl himself.
Did he think along the same lines that she did?
From his own admission, he enjoyed reading and his interests were wide.
Additionally, he wasn’t clean shaven and instead sported a close-cropped beard, which was intriguing in and of itself, which meant he probably didn’t like following society’s dictates, just like her.
And that facial hair had felt a bit lovely when he’d kissed her. So much so that she craved another one.
“I’m not surprised. Lord Wolcott doesn’t appear to me to be a man who enjoys books.” Her mother tsked her tongue. “You should steer well clear of a man of his ilk. He’s not a bounder, exactly, but he’s no prize, and you can attract a much better man.”
“I’m not angling for the earl, Mama. I merely said he came into the same shop I was in yesterday.” But why didn’t her mother push her toward him? Also interesting. “I shouldn’t pursue him, even for the title?”
“Absolutely not.”
Charlotte snorted. “I’m surprised at you, Mama, after you made Beatrice marry her titled husband when you know he’s not the ideal man.” She shrugged. “Even you should know Bea isn’t happy, but at least she’s got a title, right?”
Her parents exchanged an uneasy glance. If they were uncomfortable, Charlotte was glad. What sort of person pushed a child into a situation where they knew it wouldn’t be safe or even happy?
“Enough of that, Char,” her mother groused. “I don’t know where this sudden attitude came from, but you can send it back. It is not a good look to act disagreeable.”
It was oddly freeing to not let her parents bully her.
Heaven forbid she grow a backbone after all this time, for it might inconvenience them.
She pushed her plate away, then adjusted her spectacles so that they sat high on the bridge of her nose.
“Perhaps I’m tired of doing everything for everyone else and now wish to find out what I want for my life, and if that goes against what society deems acceptable, so be it. ”
Heavy silence followed the announcement, and once more, her parents stared at her.
When her mother frowned, her blue eyes flashed with annoyance. “You should want a marriage and to make inroads into starting your own family. The more you delay, the likelihood of any man wishing to take you on dwindles.”
“Take me on?” Charlotte blinked a few times in disbelief.
“As if I’m a problem to be solved?” What was happening to her life?
Then she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.
Finding a man that is approved by you and Papa is the fly in the ointment, isn’t it?
I mean, if the issue was as easy as stumbling over any old man, I could go out walking through Mayfair right now and then bring one back, hmm? ”
Again, her mind went to that kiss with Lord Wolcott.
According to her parents, he wasn’t interested in marriage.
Well, good for him. Neither was she, for it wasn’t her duty to say vows to a man merely because society demanded it, but she might be interested in something a bit scandalous so she wouldn’t go to her grave unwanted or undesired.
Would the earl be willing to do her such a favor?
“Don’t be crass, Charlotte,” her mother snapped as she dabbed the corners of her mouth with a linen napkin.
“I’m not. In fact, I’m merely giving thought to what you’re not saying.
” She stood up from the table and pushed back her chair, letting her napkin drop to the floor.
“I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open to any man who looks as if he has nothing else better to do.
” When her mother sputtered, Charlotte shook her head.
“Regardless, I’m going to a book auction this afternoon. Perhaps I’ll find someone there.”
Though, to be fair, she’d rather find an interesting book.
“Good God, why?” Her father wanted to know. From the way his salt-and-pepper, bushy eyebrows were knitted together, he couldn’t understand either her need to remove from the house or procure a new book.
She shrugged. “Why not? I wish to see what oddities and rare books have come onto the market. Besides, it’s being hosted by a duke. If nothing else, it will be fabulous research, and sometimes, true gems come to light.”
“I don’t understand why you prefer books to the company of real people.” Her mother shook her head. “At least take Lolly with you.”
“Oh, Mama, she’ll be bored.” It wasn’t that she was opposed to bringing the maid, but Lolly didn’t have much of an imagination and she certainly had no affinity for books. Charlotte had tried multiple times to teach her maid to read, but she claimed it was too difficult for her.
“Then take one of your sisters. You shouldn’t go alone about Town.”
Charlotte headed toward the door. “I’m well on the shelf, as you keep reminding me. I’d think that allows me a certain amount of freedom. I rather doubt I’m in danger.”
“She’s not wrong, Penelope,” her father said to her mother. “Let the poor girl have some fun, at least. She could do a lot worse than collecting books.”
“Fine.” Her mother waved a hand in dismissal. “Go, but don’t linger. We are hosting two eligible gentlemen for dinner tonight and you’ll need time to get ready.”
It was the penance for going out on her own, but Charlotte didn’t care. She fled the morning room to dress for the outing, but her mind was very firmly on the earl.
*
Amherst House
St. James Place
Mayfair, London
The auction was at a duke’s private home in St. James place, which was far too fancy for her, and in addition, it was a free-standing home, which was large and elegant.
For the first few moments inside the house, she was utterly speechless at the décor, the paintings, the rich fabrics in the upholstery and draperies.
No wonder dukes were respected and revered if they could command such elegance and luxury in merely decorating a house.
Rented chairs with delicate legs had been set up in six rows of five in the ballroom.
Perhaps ten people including her had already found seats.
Would a larger crowd come or was this it?