Chapter 8
Eight
Ten days later
“My wife informs me Lord Pencarrow’s sister was more than satisfied with how well you occupied the children, Charlotte.”
Charlotte found it hard to meet Mr Glendenning’s eye, though her employer’s smile was bland as he detained her in the corridor. She’d been back at Honeyfield House less than two days and she felt miserable and afraid.
Predominantly, she was filled with shame. She’d made a fool of herself. She’d lost the man she loved through her impulsiveness. She’d been wanton and loose, though thank the lord she could reassure him there would be no consequences. That is, other than the wounding to her heart.
Second, she’d risked both their futures with her stupid meddling with the brandy barrel. She’d imbibed too much when she’d happened upon the flagon while Hugh’s back had been turned.
And then she’d meddled with what belonged to the smugglers. She’d been too under the influence to understand how important it was to keep well clear of their territorial rights and bounty.
And now she had no choice but to marry Mr Ravensby because Mr and Mrs Glendenning would soon leave Swain Cove for France and there was no one else to offer Charlotte a roof over her head or the means to continue supporting her sister.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, bobbing a curtsey and hoping he wouldn’t waylay her further.
The younger girls were waiting for their lessons, while Catherine would no doubt look in later.
Catherine’s boundless energy could be exhausting, and Charlotte worried about the girl’s ability to conduct herself with decorum when she made her London debut in a few weeks before her parents decamped to France.
But what about Charlotte’s own ability to rein in her impulses?
Hadn’t she just proved how incapable she was of behaving as the situation demanded?
Hugh was lost to her forever. After their interrogation by the smugglers, Charlotte had been led to a room in the tavern, supplied with a coarse linen shift, and then, in the morning, had had her trunk delivered to her by young Tom who’d said Lord Pencarrow was in the village and, hearing about the storm and Miss Stanbridge’s predicament, would like to offer her a ride in his carriage.
Charlotte should have been overjoyed, but was instead bereft that she might not see Hugh before she left.
He, however, had met her in the dining room, to wish her well having just heard the news, and to tell her he had also found alternative transport to Riverdale School.
As soon as the other gentlemen in the room had left, he’d drawn her into the shadows and gripped her hands.
Knowing what was coming, her heart seemed to shrivel in her chest as he said, “I must go, Charlotte. If you need me…” He’d paused, cleared his throat, then said, “You know that if I had the power to change anything, I would.”
Did he refer to the past or future?
Touching his heart, he went on, “Right now, I have no choice but to take up my position at Riverdale. It’s the only means I have of earning a living. But if—”
“Miss Stanbridge!” It was the publican’s wife, interrupting to tell Charlotte that Lord Pencarrow wished to begin his journey, thus preventing further talk between the pair.
But in her heart, Charlotte knew there was nothing to talk about.
They were both powerless to seek happiness with one another in their current circumstances.
Now Mr Glendenning put his soft, pudgy hand on Charlotte’s shoulder and said, “My wife tells me you’ve been reining in your impatience on account of Mr Ravensby’s delayed visit, but it won’t be long now.
” His slightly protuberant blue eyes regarded her in a fatherly fashion.
As if he assumed she must be eager for the marriage offer that was surely the desire of his penniless, and soon-to-be homeless, governess.
“I just got word that he’s left St Austell with the new excise man who’s dining with us tonight.
A gentleman by the name of Mr Barton. He was here several months ago and is now to be stationed in Swain Cove permanently.
” He dropped his hand, his look one of sympathy.
“But one more night won’t change the world.
I’m afraid that Mr Ravensby has a meeting with Lord Pencarrow and some other gentlemen at the Cock and Bull this evening, though he requests an audience with you tomorrow at eleven. ”
Charlotte tried not to show her feelings as he went on. “Mr Ravensby is a gentleman of the utmost integrity. He will be a good, if not indulgent, husband, Miss Stanbridge. I hope you will be very happy.”
He might have said more except Mrs Glendenning hurried into the passageway from the drawing room, exclaiming, “I thought I heard your voice, Charlotte. Ah, I see my husband is recounting to you my conversation with Mrs Tregonning and Lord Pencarrow’s good sister.
Now, Catherine has requested that as a special indulgence you join us at the table for tonight’s dinner.
I agreed, since you’ll soon be Mr Ravensby’s wife. ”
Charlotte looked blankly at her employers while the trepidation in her belly bloomed into panic. “I’m to join you for dinner tonight? With—?”
“With Mr Barton, the new excise man Mr Ravensby met today. He’ll be stationed in Swain Cove for some time.”
Charlotte swayed, and Mr Glendenning sent her a look of concern. “Miss Stanbridge?” he began, but she waved her hand, dismissing her lightheadedness, while her thoughts ran riot.
What should she do? How could she sit at the table in all innocence when she knew everything about what this man was employed to do: put an end to the smuggling trade by apprehending the very people with whom Charlotte had inadvertently become involved? Worse, with whom she’d implicated Hugh.
The smugglers knew what was happening. They’d warned Charlotte she had a job to do.
But what?
“And Sir Pennyworth’s very nice tutor will also attend,” Mrs Glendenning was saying, “since the magistrate deemed the dinner an excellent opportunity for Master Christopher to test his skills amongst his elders.”
“Mr Kernick?”
Charlotte nearly gasped his name but her mistress misinterpreted her tone for she said with equanimity, “Yes, of course, that’s his name. I am so forgetful these days, am I not, Mr Glendenning?”
Her husband patted her shoulder. “As am I, my dear. But yes, I daresay bringing the tutor provides an opportunity for Mr Kernick to take Master Christopher home early if he’s not yet up to adult talk, since only Lady Pennyworth will attend tonight.
I was just telling Charlotte that Mr Ravensby, Lord Pencarrow and the magistrate have a meeting at the Cock and Bull with the new excise men. ”
“I thought Mr Kernick was still visiting Riverdale School,” Charlotte said faintly.
“He returned this morning, in fact, with everything comfortably established for his grand new future.”
“He’s an exceptional young man, and the magistrate will be sad to lose him,” said Mrs Glendenning.
Charlotte wasn’t sure if she made any rejoinder but looked up to see the Glendennings nodding, Mr Glendenning saying, “Indeed, you saw this yourself, Charlotte, when Mr Kernick kept you safe during the terrible storm. Quick-witted, he was, to think of whisking you into the caves after old Ned refused to progress through the thunder and lightning.”
His wife shuddered. “Perhaps the poor horse had a premonition that lightning would strike you all if you didn’t seek shelter.”
It was Charlotte’s turn to shudder, for that was indeed what had happened. Poor old Ned had been found dead with burn marks on the path where they had abandoned him.
Mrs Glendenning dismissed Charlotte after this, and Charlotte’s myriad questions remained unasked.
Hugh was coming to the house this evening? How would she face him after what had passed between them so recently? How could she—?
She had no opportunity to even consider how difficult their meeting would be when Catherine leapt up the moment Charlotte entered the room.
“Master Christopher is coming to dinner tonight and I shall be allowed to dine with the adults!” she cried. “Oh, please persuade mama I can put my hair up and wear the white sarsanet I’m to wear for my come-out?”
“She’ll not agree to that, Catherine, for it’s at great expense it’s been sewn for your debut into London society.
Not a small country affair like this.” Charlotte wondered if she had the energy for the inevitable battle of wills.
Miss Catherine was overindulged, and while Charlotte usually put up a spirited defence, right now she felt the stuffing had been knocked out of her.
“Small affair? Why, do you know how I’ve longed for an opportunity to speak to Master Christopher now that I’m going to be amongst company as an adult?”
“I don’t think there’ll be much opportunity for the pair of you to discuss anything,” Charlotte said, taking a seat at the schoolroom table and opening the book she intended reading to Mary and Emily who were sitting by the window playing with their doll, Dorcas.
Today, she really was not in the mood for Catherine’s stubbornness.
Especially when Catherine ignored this, saying with an air of fierce determination, “You can’t spend all afternoon reading stories to the girls.
I need you to help me dress.” She clapped her hands.
“I must make Master Christopher take notice of me. Why, tonight could be my opportunity to forge the future I’ve always wanted—”
But Charlotte interrupted, sounding sharper than she meant to. “Master Christopher is young and about to embark upon his studies. He will not be contemplating marriage for years!”
And when Catherine looked downcast, Charlotte sighed and said, “But love will always find a way.”
Even though she knew this wasn’t true.