Page 29 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
“If we were to encourage one or two of them, with vague and mild pleasantries…perhaps Lord Granville and Lord Sterling might be valuable options?” His Grace nodded encouragingly.
“Perhaps encouragement is too strong a word.” Charity desperately thought of how best to proceed.
“But perhaps a dinner party where they were included might be just the thing.” The duchess smiled.
Charity nodded. “Yes, that would be excellent.” She twisted her hands in her lap. “If a man wishes to court me, this is the manner in which it happens?”
“Yes, if a man is courting you outside these official means, then it is highly suspect.” The duke’s longer than usual gaze struck her.
“And Lord Lockhart?” She wanted to bite back the words as soon as they left her mouth, not wishing to give away too much. But had he said anything? Did he think of her in that way?
“He has said nothing.” The duke collected his papers into one pile.
She knew her mouth tugged down. But what could she do with that sort of disappointment?
The duchess stood and moved to Charity’s side. “I cannot think he does not care.”
The duke snapped his drawer shut. “But an honorable man would declare himself if he did, or stop giving the impression that he is about to. You must be free to make your way through the Season, to find a suitable match. He is by far the wealthiest man of our acquaintance, seems a good enough sort, except for his bluestocking ways, but you like that sort of thing. I do not know what holds him back, but it is a question to consider.” He stood as well. “My wife has told me not to intervene as yet. I could ask him his intentions, but she has bid me wait.”
Her Grace nodded, resting a hand on Charity’s arm. “Give the man an opportunity to declare himself. Some men are timid about these things. And our Charity, she is not one for the faint of heart.”
“Precisely my point there. But we shall let it ride its course a short time longer. In the meantime, I will move forward as directed. And you.” He pointed a friendly finger in her direction. “Would do well to begin an active campaign to show attention to those who might interest you and discourage those who do not. Starting tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes, His Grace is taking us to Almack’s.”
Charity nodded, unsure how to feel about all the information she’d just realized in one conversation. Did Lord Lockhart view her on amiable terms only? Were they partners in an effort to change England and nothing more? His actions toward her were more than amiable. She thought she could tell. She assumed today that his response to her decorating the house had been very positive, intimate almost.
She frowned. But he’d left for most of the time and perhaps was only humoring their work. His aunt had planned the whole thing after all. Her heart clenched tighter. When she met the duke’s eyes, she was surprised by a touch of compassion there.
“You will find a man who will take care of you and your children.”
“And one that makes you happy.” The duchess’ hand on her arm was soft yet surprisingly strong. “Mark my words.”
Charity’s gratitude for the both of them grew. She’d come, using their hospitality to further her work, arrogantly thinking they would be but pawns to her plan. She now saw just how much she was in need of their wisdom and direction. “Thank you both.”
“Of course, dear. We want the best for you.”
Charity nodded. “I see that.”
She was hurried off to her room where Lily waited with hot curling pins and one of Charity’s best gowns laid out on the bed. “I guess we are off to Almack’s this evening.”
“Yes, miss. And happy I am to see you sooner rather than later if we’re going to get you ready.”
Charity spent the whole of their preparations saying little. Her mind raced through most of her memories of Lord Lockhart. Then she tried to focus on her specific duties to help get the school off the ground, and her mind immediately went back to Lord Lockhart. She tried to think of the words to her favorite Treatise on Women and Lockhart’s voice, quoting it, came to mind. She even attempted to remember times with her sisters, before Lockhart existed in her life, and still, he intruded.
His smile, his eyes lighting up when he saw her, surely these were signs that he cared. All the time he spent with her, at her meetings, his urgency in assisting in her causes…Was all of this merely a shared interest? A true devotion to change? And nothing more?
She almost slouched in a heap at the thought, but that would have disturbed the careful curls that Lily was creating around her face.
He had not wanted to dance with her the last time they were together. He’d not ever shown the slightest inclination to court her, only spend time with her, but nothing that typically indicated courting. Perhaps he was trying to send her a message she had doggedly refused to see?
She had to know.
She must find out.
All manner of plans circulated in her mind as to how a person would find out the nature of a man’s affection. Her eyes flit to Lily. “Have you had a beau?”
