Page 28 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
The duchess sat in a chair near the fire. The walls were lined with books. One large portrait of a man who might have been His Grace’s father hung high on the wall behind his desk, and the duke himself sat behind the dark wood top. It was obvious that a conversation of some sort had been mid-stride before Charity entered. But the duchess’ face was a well-trained blank, so Charity received no clues from her.
“Ah, Miss Charity. Come in. Sit with us.”
A good sign. He seemed in a pleasant enough mood.
“Thank you.”
“You were just visiting Lady Hackney?”
“Yes, my sisters and I. She and Lord Lockhart were in desperate need. Their home is but a bare place of walls and some furniture. I’m happy she invited us.”
Their responding smiles were placid. The duke pressed his fingers together. “And what are his intentions toward you?”
Charity was taken aback for a moment. She swallowed twice and tried to keep her face as emotionless as the duchess’. “I…I am unsure at the moment.”
“And how long have you been…friends?” The duke’s eyes were kind. He was trying to help her in some way which was completely unclear at the moment.
“This is our second Season. He comes to our salons, is a large help there and a good influence.”
“Yes.” The duke shifted some papers around on his desk. “There have been others who have inquired after you.”
“Inquired?” Who would have? The women in her meetings? Other men? She raised a hand to her mouth.
“I have been personally approached by quite a few and others have been pointed out to me. It seems you have a long list of admirers.”
The air felt tight around her, and she wished above all things to leave that room for a moment. She’d not considered the role the duke would play in her Season when she’d agreed to come. In truth, she’d not considered that she’d have any suitors. “I don’t know what to say.”
“This is certainly good news. Lord Granville is highly interested, and my wife said you two have an excellent rapport.”
“Oh yes, I enjoy him.” She clenched her hands together.
“Lords Timmons, Sterling, and Kenworthy have expressed an interest. As well as one other that has shocked me, but the duchess seems to have been expecting it.”
“Oh?” Charity looked from one to the other.
The duchess’ mouth twitched, but that was all she would reveal.
“Lord Wessex.”
Charity shook her head. “He cannot be serious.”
“That’s precisely what I told my wife, but she assures me he is.”
Charity heartfully disagreed but kept quiet for the moment, wondering how this would play out.
“I’m quite pleased. The Season has not even begun in full force, and we might be finished with it.”
Her Grace cleared her throat.
“But I have been informed that we are in a good position and need to wait, because these sorts of declarations do not always come to fruition, and because I assume she is having a more enjoyable time than I watching your success.” He turned to her and waited.
“Oh, well.”
“If one of these men were to mean something to you already, then now is the best time to express your wishes.”
She started to shake her head.
“Surely there has not been enough time to know.” Her Grace’s poised response was something to envy.
