Always the Chaperone by Murdoch Emily E K

Author:Murdoch, Emily E K
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-04-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It was the heat, Charlotte told herself. Sunday had brought the first proper sunshine of the year, and she had not accounted for this in her wardrobe. The organ music rose as the congregation filed into the church.

Her cheeks heated at the memory of those words. Why was she so afraid? Why did she shy away like a wild horse any time William mentioned marriage?

Someone coughed near the back of the church, which she ignored. She had found a seat in a pew near the front, as was befitting her status, and stared at the altar while Reverend Michaels prepared himself.

Was this not exactly what she had wanted, what she had given up hope of ever receiving? Attention from a gentleman? A man, moreover, who was handsome, charming, and titled? Someone who cared for her?

There was another cough from the other side of the pews, but Charlotte did not look around, too overwhelmed by her thoughts.

She swallowed. It always happened without warning, the overwhelming emotions for her mother. Four years. Sometimes she could go an entire week without thinking of her, and all of a sudden, she remembered. If her mother had been alive, she could have asked her for advice. What would she have said? She would have liked William, that was certain.

“Lady Charlotte.”

She jumped. The gentleman on whom her thoughts had been so eagerly running was standing right beside her.

He looked dashing in his tailored coat, embroidered waistcoat peeking through. He smiled faintly, and all Charlotte’s worries and concerns melted. He did something wild to her, and she was about to return the smile when her gaze shifted.

William was not alone. On one side of him stood his brother, John, waving at someone else. On the other side of him was a young woman—very young. She could only be fifteen or so and dressed in a fine muslin dress with pearls decorating her bonnet.

The girl caught Charlotte’s eyes and blushed. Tugging at William’s coat sleeve, she whispered something in his ear. Charlotte wanted to turn away, but she seemed unable to. William nodded, and the girl giggled, eyes flashing toward Charlotte.

How dare he. After their conversation just a few nights ago, after she had been so open, so vulnerable! To attend church with a girl young enough to be her daughter.

“Why, Lady Charlotte!”

She blinked and then turned to face him. “Your Grace.”

“What a pleasure it is to see you this fine morning,” he said.

She swallowed. “Good morning, Your Grace, my lord…miss.”

It was impossible to hide the coldness of her tones, and the young woman wilted under Charlotte’s gaze.

William looked from one to the other. “I was just saying to Prudence…”

“I cannot believe you,” Charlotte said quietly, attempting to keep her voice calm and level. Lady Romeril had just taken the seat beside her. “After all your fine words, here you are with the youngest chit of a girl I have ever seen!”

The girl flushed and glanced at William, who opened his mouth to speak, but Charlotte stopped him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.