Page 40 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
“Certainly. Everything here seems to be wonderfully organized.”
“Yes, it does.”
Several footmen remained to aid in protection for the women. They were in a relatively safe location, but footmen would always be needed.
As soon as they sat in the carriage, the duchess turned to her. “I know you’re unhappy.”
Charity nodded.
“I am as well. I really thought that Lord Lockhart, that he…”
Charity looked out the window. “I know.”
They said no more until they stopped at the park. “Wait for us.” The duchess descended first.
When Charity linked arms with her, she was filled again with an appreciation for her kindness. “I have found in you a true friend and ally.”
“Yes. Perhaps you thought we would be an unlikely pair in the beginning.”
Charity smiled remembering their early days of receiving charity from the woman and her rival, the Duchess of Sussex. “I admit to being surprised to learn of your bluestocking ways.”
“We’re a snobby lot, aren’t we?”
Charity was surprised into a laugh. “The bluestockings? How so?”
“We only truly respect those who we view to be of higher intelligence. The other pursuits of women are beneath us and as a result, so are they.”
“Too true, and yet, I’d not like to think of myself in such a manner.”
“It’s self-preservation. But I think you are correct in that it’s a baser way of thinking. There is room in our society for all sorts.”
Charity leaned closer, holding the duchess’ arm in an embrace. “And yet, all women are remarkable. They’re intelligent. Whether they choose to use their talents to find a man and further his and her social standing or to building schools and feeding orphans. Women can do all manner of things.” She leaned over and kissed the duchess right on the cheek. “They can gift gowns to impoverished sisters and pay them visits so that they remain relevant in their class.”
The duchess turned shining eyes to Charity. “Yes, they can.”
They walked along, enjoying a hazy sort of wet day. Charity felt her heart begin to be comforted.
Just as she reached to run fingers along a hedgerow, the duchess stopped in her tracks, pulling Charity close. “See there.”
Lord Lockhart stepped out from one of the many walking paths with a small bit of a woman on his arm, and what looked to be her mother at the woman’s side. All of Charity’s comforting balm squelched into a tightened mass of angst. “Ooh. And there they are.” She frowned.
“Shall we watch a moment to see if we learn something about this most odd of all circumstances?”
“Yes.” Neither seemed at all concerned at their blatant spying.
Lord Lockhart seemed pleased enough, if not happy necessarily; he smiled and answered with attention to both the woman and her mother.
The woman turned so that her profile was most visible and then for a moment, her hand curled around her abdomen.
The duchess gasped, and Charity clung to her as though she might faint.
“She is with child. It’s true.” The duchess shook her head. “All this time I couldn’t believe it. I wouldn’t. Our Lord Lockhart…” She clucked. “But here he is. Here she is. And there is no mistake.” She stood taller. “And now, you must decide something.”
Charity could hardly think through the thoughts that swam in front of her eyes. With child? Lord Lockhart’s? Nothing made sense to her. But the duchess demanded attention, so she blinked away some of her confusion and focused. “What must I decide?”
“Are you going to walk away and pretend you never saw this meeting? Or are you going to make yourself known and loudly?” She nodded her head toward a group of men approaching on the same path as Lord Lockhart.
They were within calling distance and certainly within walking distance. Charity looked from them to Lord Lockhart and back. Then Lord Wessex’s laugh carried over to her, and her decision was made.
