Chapter Fifteen
Wolcott House
Hanover Square
Charlotte suffered from nerves as she sat alone in the carriage William sent over for her.
The fact that her parents declined to accompany her spoke volumes in how they thought of him, and of course her brother was busy with his fiancée since their nuptial ceremony was in a few weeks.
No doubt there was much to do before then.
Dear heavens, I’m not ready for this!
Hosting a society event at the side of the Earl of Wolcott was either a daring gambit or the biggest scandal of her life.
It didn’t matter that she was currently engaged to him.
And it didn’t matter either that they seemed quite compatible when it came to physical attraction and carnal endeavors.
Was there anything else between them, anything that their guests could see that would make them think the match was smart?
Or would they suspect it was a sham?
Before she could work herself into a state of anxiety, the carriage rocked to a halt in front of William’s Hanover Square residence.
Her nerves still felt strung too tight, but as the door swung open and the driver offered his hand to her while she descended the few steps, she uttered a soft huff when her feet found purchase on the street.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Miss Primrose,” the driver said with a grin. “I hope you are a success tonight.”
“So do I.” With a nod and trembling in her belly, Charlotte went up the short walkway, through the wrought iron gate and then made her way to the open front door where her knock was immediately answered by the butler.
“Ah, Miss Primrose. You are lovely tonight.”
“Thank you, Layton. Where is His Lordship?” She pushed her spectacles up the bridge of her nose. Muses didn’t wear such things, but there was nothing for it.
“I believe he is in the private parlor. Shall I fetch him for you?” the butler asked as he closed the door behind her.
That parlor was off-limits to guests tonight. “No, I’ll go upstairs and meet him.” She pressed her lips together. “Perhaps he’ll be able to tell me how to calm my nerves. The guests should begin arriving in less than an hour.”
“You will be everything stunning and delightful.”
“Such gammon, but I appreciate your encouragement.”
With a smile, she gave him her wrap. Then she continued into the house in the direction of the stairs.
Would her costume as a Greek muse show her as too much of a novice at this sort of thing?
The white silk, sleeveless gown featured a silver belt slung low about her waist and called attention to the curve of her hips.
It also had a rather low bodice that showed what might be a scandalous amount of her décolletage, but she liked the effect of the clinging fabric.
Silver sandals with straps that crisscrossed up her calves made whispered slapping sounds on the stairs.
Delicate silver bracelets made soft jangling noises on her wrists, and the crowning glory was a silver circlet on her head.
With each step, the cascade of her hair from its topknot brushed her shoulder.
When she came into the private parlor on the third level, she sucked in a breath upon spying William, who was dressed as a Roman Centurian. “Oh!”
He turned, then, and gave her a cheeky grin. “Too much?”
“Absolutely not. It’s just right, and suits you.
” She raked her gaze up and down his person.
Like her, he wore a tunic, but his was in white with golden embroidery along the lower him that went just past his knees.
There was some sort of belt he wore over one shoulder.
No doubt a soldier used it to carry a weapon or a drum.
Another brown leather belt with gold latches fitted his waist, giving the tunic some dimension.
Brown leather sandals with longs straps that wound up his calves called attention to his legs.
A long red cloak, fastened at one shoulder, completed the outfit. “It’s wonderful.”
“Thank you. There is a helmet too with some sort of red feathers on the top, but it makes my head sweat so I haven’t put it on.
” As he spoke, he crossed the room and closed the distance between them.
“However, I am nothing compared to what you look like in that tunic.” Admiration reflected in his eyes as he moved his gaze up and down her person. “So tempting.”
Heat went through her cheeks. “I don’t know if I have the form for this costume. Perhaps on a slimmer lady it would look better.”
“Oh, you have no idea how attractive you truly are.” While holding her gaze, William put a hand to her nape, dragged her body against his, then dipped his head and claimed her lips.
Flutters went through her belly, for this kiss felt different than all the others they’d shared.
With a soft moan, Charlotte slipped her arms about his shoulders, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him back.
In that embrace, hope bloomed from the kernel buried deep in her heart.
Excitement buzzed at the base of spine. Would she have a marriage from him after all?
When he pulled slightly away, she assumed he would release her, but he didn’t.
Instead, held her with his hands on her hips, and he moved in what felt very much like an abbreviated waltz about the small space.
They didn’t commune with words, but looks and glances said everything that words could not in that moment.
Once they drifted to a stop at the far side of the room, she tilted her head to continue staring into his gorgeous green eyes.
“That was lovely.” So much she wanted to tell him how she felt but was afraid he would laugh at her or tell her he only wanted her for what they shared carnally.
Perhaps it would keep until they were truly alone.
“I agree.” With a faint grin, the earl put a curled forefinger beneath her chin and he kissed her again.
This one had a bit more heat and intent behind it, yet Charlotte didn’t mind.
She nipped and nibbled as much as he did, and she reveled in the awareness the slight rasp of his whiskers brought while he pressed kisses to the side of her neck.
When he roved his hands and fingers over her body and went to tug at her bodice, she batted him away.
“Do stop, William. We can indulge in that later. I don’t want my costume mussed.”
“Spoilsport.” He gave her a mock frown. “Does that mean you’ll meet me in the garden after midnight?”
Though longing for him throbbed through her being, Charlotte chuckled. “While our guests are still here?”
“Perhaps, but how exciting would it be to get up to mischief under the cover of nightfall knowing our friends could be watching from the windows?”
“You are mad, I think.” A tremble moved down her spine. She couldn’t possibly do anything that intimate if someone might observe. “I don’t want to share you with prying eyes.”
Pleasure reflected in his darkened eyes. “Why?”
She shrugged. “What we have together is special. It might not be to you, but to me? It is everything.” Did that betray the depths of her feelings? Would he guess?
A hint of surprise went through his expression. “Damn, Charlotte, I rather think you are making me rethink… everything.” There was nothing but honesty in his tone.
And it made her feel as if she could fly. “I know that feeling all too well. It’s confusing but has the potential to be… life changing.”
He nodded, a bit absently, as if he had just had a revelation. “Yes…” Then he shook himself. “Our guests should be arriving by now. We should go down and greet them.”
Slightly disappointed, she agreed. Perhaps they would have an opportunity to speak privately and candidly later.
*
Midway through the evening, Charlotte lost sight of the earl.
They had danced two sets together already, and she had met so many people, she feared she’d never keep their names and faces sorted.
She’d even met a couple of the men William considered his closest friends.
Of course, one of them was the Duke of Scarborough, who she’d met before.
In fact, she’d spoken to his wife a few times already tonight.
When the string quartet that had been reserved for the ball took a bit of a break, she wandered toward the refreshment tables, which had been set up in the corridor outside the drawing room.
There was no sign of William, and since she wanted to be in his company, especially tonight, she went off in search of him.
Oddly enough, Charlotte found him in the rear garden, but before she could join him from the library door, she heard another voice in the darkness, and it was that of a woman.
“Thank you for meeting me out here, Wolcott.”
As her heart sank, she crept to the doorway, took a step outside and strained to spy on the conversation in progress.
“What the hell do you want, Francine?” Annoyance went through William’s tone, and he didn’t bother to keep his voice down. At some point, he must have removed his helmet, for it was no longer on his head. “When I sent you packing, there was no invitation for you to return.”
An ache set up around Charlotte’s heart, but she stifled a gasp as she listened. She wanted to trust his words, but knowing his history, she couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t go back on it. Surely, he wouldn’t ask the woman to become his mistress again.
“What I want is varied and complicated.”
He snorted. Shadows moved within the garden amidst the foliage and ornamental trees, but it was too dark for Charlotte to see what was happening. “That explains nothing.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t have you in my bed again for all the art in Prinny’s home.”
Faint relief went down her spine to realize the woman wasn’t there for a tryst. And how had they missed her entrance to begin with?
Something flashed in the anemic illumination from the windows. Metal, perhaps? She couldn’t quite see to be sure, but she moved into the garden, for knots worry pulled in her belly. Something was wrong.