The Captivating Lady Charlotte by Carolyn Miller

Author:Carolyn Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Published: 2017-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

William murmured a brief explanation to the marchioness and, having secured her permission, offered his arm to Charlotte. She took it, her manner and posture as stiff with him as it had been all afternoon.

What had made her lose the confiding air? She was a mystery. At times she was so easy to read, her innocent blushes saying as much as her lips. Her artlessness enchanted, her frank—at times wry—remarks suggesting they might share a similar sense of humor. But at other times …

Somehow he managed to extract her from the throngs and draw her to a slightly more spacious section. He didn’t blame the crowds for coming; each of London’s major parks would be crowded with those wishing to celebrate the victories and see the Regent’s overpriced spectaculars.

A horde of soldiers approached. William drew her to one side, noting the drunken widened eyes and muttered oaths as they spied his pretty companion. For her part, Charlotte seemed far less vain than a young lady of her good looks might normally be. Either she truly did not notice the attention or her good breeding demanded it remain unacknowledged.

He drew her toward a booth selling lemonade. “Two glasses please.”

The woman’s eyes widened. “Well, if ain’t a fancy lordship.”

“His Grace, actually,” Charlotte corrected.

“A dook? Aw, go on wiv ye, luv. This ain’t no dook, else I’m a monkey’s uncle.”

“Well, perhaps you’re a monkey’s—”

He bit back a smile, placed a hand on Charlotte’s arm. “Surely it does not matter what others so completely unconnected to us might think.”

She drew her arm away and turned back to the woman. “Why do you say he’s not a duke?”

The woman cackled. “He ain’t tall enough for one thing.”

He fought the cringe, conscious Charlotte had straightened.

“Precisely how many dukes have you had the honor of meeting?”

“Me? Meet a dook? Oh, you’re a saucy thing, ain’t you?” The woman cackled again, handing him the refreshments he now wished he’d never bought.

He passed one glass to Charlotte then fished out a more than appropriate coin. “Thank you.”

The woman looked at the coin, eyes nearly popping out of her head. “Is this wot I thinks it is?” She bit it, then turned to her husband. “I think he is a dook!”

William turned away, noting with a smile that Charlotte’s glass was empty. He handed her the next.

“This is not for you?”

“I find I have no desire for lemonade this evening.”

“Oh.” She glanced at him doubtfully. “Are you sure? Despite that woman’s rudeness, it is very good lemonade.”

“I am glad.” He drew her to one side as a drunken man chased another down the path. His pulse raced, at the feel of her so close, her scent—roses? lilies?—drifting to stir his senses wildly. Did she notice? She appeared unmoved.

He guided her back to her family, politely dismissing the marchioness’s thanks. He did not wish for her gratitude. He wished only her daughter would not dismiss him quite so obviously. He glanced at Charlotte again. Even now she did not look at him, instead peering around behind 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.