Page 23 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
Her eyes held sorrow, and he regretted his words. “What is it? People love your conversation.”
“I know.”
“And they love you too. It’s all one package. You’re everything—the mind, the humor, the beauty…” He needed to be more mild in his compliments, especially since he hadn’t yet written home and he didn’t at all know what the expectations were from Penny. But Charity was the most amazing woman he’d ever met, and suddenly he was filled with desire that she know it.
“But what if it’s time for me to…consider this Season as more than a means to help solve England’s problems? If I wish to meet others and dance and discover perhaps…someone.” She lifted her lashes to his, and the implications of her words shook him. “You wish to marry?” Hope and fear raged through him in equal amounts.
“I think so? Those are fearsome words to speak. I would never have said them but since you have, I can acknowledge that all these years I’d thought to never marry, and now that I know the opportunity is before me, I fear I’ve pushed away any real chances because of my uncensored speech.”
He held her hand in between the two of his own. “Never censor your speech.”
“Oh, you say that.” She pulled her hand away to wave it in the air. And then began tugging off her other glove. “Of course that is how you feel. I’ve only ever known you as a brilliant partner in all of these efforts. But the others? They might not wish to hear so much from me. You should have seen Lord Fallon’s reaction when Lucy finally spoke her mind.” Charity shook her head, obviously annoyed.
“But you don’t need to concern yourself with curbing your tongue. Everyone quite enjoys it.”
“Perhaps as a form of entertainment, or as an engaging conversation, but how often have I heard warnings about curbing my tongue or I’d never find a man?” She sighed. “Don’t listen to me. I’d never be able to give it up even if I tried. I just worry about what I’m sacrificing.”
“And you’d like to start a family?”
“I would, yes.” She shrugged. “As silly as that sounds.”
“It doesn’t sound silly at all.” He studied her for many minutes, until she once again closed her eyes. Her breathing steadied and he realized that her talk was from a delirious, overly tired brain and anything he said might not really penetrate her consciousness.
Then he stood. “Let’s get you up and moving so that you can climb those stairs and get yourself some sleep.”
“We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? I thought we weren’t meeting until Friday.”
“That far away? Why not tomorrow?”
“Perhaps the both of us could use some rest?” He also had a visit with his solicitor to make and a letter to write.
“I suppose.”
He walked her out of the room and toward the staircase. “Thank you for today. I believe we shall do good together with this. The school was an excellent idea.”
“Thank you. And thank you for being here, for your rescue two times today.”
“You’re welcome.”
She turned from him, barely able to walk, let alone think straight.
He watched her all the way up the stairs, and then he turned in the direction of the front door.
The duchess surprised him when she stepped out from one of the rooms.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” He bowed. “I appreciated very much your words today.”
“Oh tosh. It is only the truth I speak. More importantly, how are things with Charity?”
He laughed nervously. “Do you mean am I pursuing her?”
“Yes, precisely, obviously you’re pursuing her, but how is the pursuit? Perhaps some success today?”
Andrew smiled uncomfortably and made a short bow. “I could not say.”
“I shall know just by looking at you both. If you won’t tell me, I have my ways.”
