A Christmas Engagement by Ellie Thomas

Author:Ellie Thomas [Thomas, Ellie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2022-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

After a poor night’s sleep, and despite several fortifying cups of coffee at the White Hart, Charles felt too thick-headed to flit conversationally amongst the chattering groups in the Pump Room. He had only made an appearance since he knew his failure to appear would lead to unwanted speculation about his health, well-being, or even his drinking habits.

Now the winter season was in full swing, the Pump Room was so crowded with the increase in visitors that he could keep a safe distance from Aunt Clarissa’s party, also growing in numbers. Charles saw some newly-arrived family members clustered around the old lady, as well as Avery and both his aunts.

“With this crush, it’s an unpropitious morning for those badly in need of a dose of salts,” came a cool voice beside him. Charles was relieved that of all the ladies of his acquaintance, he was buttonholed by Miss Fitzalan. He was in no fit state to cope with deflecting the outright coquets disconcerting him with their fluttering eyelashes and unquenchable desire for male admiration.

“Yes, it seems as though we have some newcomers to boost our ranks.”

“And plenty of fresh-faced young ladies amongst them. But I dare say that some of us don’t require any extra variety.”

For an unnerving moment, Charles thought Miss Fitzalan was making an attempt at flirtation, but her tone was matter of fact, and when he glanced at her, her expression remained neutral.

“What I mean,” she carried on, “is that once you have met someone congenial there is no need to seek any further. It would be a frivolous waste of energy.”

Perhaps too late, or just in time, a warning bell sounded at the back of Charles’ consciousness. A young gentleman with a newly inherited estate, arriving without family or friends, could be assumed to be seeking a wife. Only now did it occur to Charles that his intentions were so transparent as to be misconstrued or even exploited. Have I been so callow? he thought. Surely these past years in London have taught me some degree of wariness.

He liked what he knew of Miss Fitzalan, but he was not ready to make a definitive choice, let alone be steered in a particular direction. His carefully drawn-up plans, so pragmatic when purely theoretical, came sharply and suddenly into focus as a source of severe discomfort.

Miss Fitzalan must have taken Charles’ silence for acquiescence as she continued, “A sensible person like yourself does not need unnecessary distractions. You have made your preference clear, so perhaps it is time to open negotiations. After all, neither of us is getting any younger.”

Charles was confounded by Miss Fitzalan’s self-assurance. He thought he miscomprehended her meaning, but as he regarded her, she obviously expected a definitive response that would seal his fate. Before he could utter a word, Charles was rescued from his self-imposed dilemma and the lady’s impertinence.

“Excuse the intrusion,” Avery said, sounding thoroughly unrepentant. “But if you have a spare moment, Charles, Aunt Clarissa would like to speak with you.

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