Lady Charlotte by Vicki Hopkins

Author:Vicki Hopkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Victorian Romance, Victorian Era, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Vicki Hopkins
Published: 2018-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Soup, Soap, and Salvation

Charlotte made her dramatic departure, nursing her wounded ego over his insensitive remark. It had become quite apparent the man thought little of her as a woman. If she wanted to win the bet, she would need to control her temper that often boiled like a steaming teakettle.

They planned to attend the races for their next outing, but Charlotte was in no mood to cheer galloping horses across the track. She wanted a day away from Albert to reconsider her strategy in the challenge. Instead, she escaped to the East End among others who welcomed her presence. Working at the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen for the day sounded far more pleasant than listening to Albert voice his rhetoric about good society.

Their discussion yesterday had revealed a few things about Albert she didn’t know. The childhood mishap of losing his parents did elicit a pang of empathy, though he became strangely quiet about the means of their demise. She concluded his snobbish attitude must have been ingrained in him from childhood, growing up under his uncle’s tutelage. The two cousins were probably equally obnoxious.

As far as her life, everything of relevance was out in the open. Her father married his mistress, which had been well known in social circles. Rachel, her mother, had come from a poor background but shrewdly used her beauty for gain. Growing up, she instilled in Charlotte qualities of compassion. She loved reaching out to those less fortunate and thought it her Christian duty even though she hadn’t attended church in years. Naturally, her values were a direct opposite of Albert’s lofty principles.

Beyond that, Charlotte confessed she married Rutherford for the money. In all honesty, he wasn’t a monster in his treatment but possessed a kind and attentive personality. Perhaps she had placed herself on the altar of matrimonial sacrifice to pay her father’s gambling debts but knew her husband would probably meet his maker sooner than later. His health had already become an issue. Between the cigars, copious amounts of brandy, and poor eating habits, widowhood arrived earlier than expected.

Nevertheless, Rutherford adored her but had been a sad excuse for a lover, rutting like a deer and rolling off her out of breath and sweaty. During their time together, they were socially active, and she met interesting people. With her gregarious personality and occasional flirting with the men, she had begun to form a reputation. Charlotte’s admission, however, of having an adulterous affair while married had been a bold-faced lie. The truth of the matter sadly remained she, too, had never fallen in love, but admitting it to Albert was not an option. He had irritated her to such a degree she wanted to shock him into further repulsion.

When her husband suddenly died, Charlotte found herself a wealthy woman and threw herself into social circles where she felt comfortable. Gaming and the theater were exciting as well as the people who became her friends and acquaintances. Charlotte admitted her outrageous behavior was a bid for attention.

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