Page 51 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
“Like your fiancée?”
His eyes widened and then closed. And she wished to take back her words, but in some way, he deserved them. How dare he speak so intimately to her after the way he’d behaved, after kissing her when he was not free to do so. Still, she did not wish to bring pain.
But he shook his head. “I know. In truth, I do not know what to do.” His words were close to her; they sent lovely tingles down her neck. And intrigued her to no end. Was Miss Penny really enamored with Lord Wessex? Surely not more than any other woman, not seriously pursuing him. She was in no state to do so.
The woman in question was currently staring daggers at the two of them, and Charity turned to face her. “Hello, Miss Penny.”
“You look lovely this evening.”
“Thank you. As do you.”
They got through the niceties, the platitudes, and Charity wanted to see if she had any awareness at all about the school.
“I’ve been telling everyone—I’m sure you’ve heard—that the school could still use support. In fact, we have openings for volunteers if you would like to join us during the first week.”
She shook her head. “While I’m sure you find great satisfaction in such things, I’m not of the same mind. I do not believe educating the poor will do any good for our society.”
Charity knew her mouth hung open, but she could do nothing about it, so shocked was she in the response. “How can you say that?”
A soft lift of one shoulder dismissed Charity’s question as though it had no consequence. Then she shook her head. “What will a poor person do with an education? A tenant farmer for example, what will they do? They are still a farmer and there is no way around that and no way out, no matter who they know or how many they love.” She cleared her throat. “I just don’t see the point in it.”
Charity was more and more confused by this woman and why Lord Lockhart had anything at all to do with her, let alone wished to marry her? Have a child with her? Before she could respond, Lord Wessex returned with lemonade. “What is this? Are we to have such enjoyable partners at dinner?”
Miss Penny smiled. “I’m so pleased as well.” Her fluttering and smiles seemed not only inappropriate but also insincere. What was she after?
Lord Lockhart seemed nonplussed by it. And his gaze was directed at Charity anyway.
The food came and went with a continuous stream of chatter from Miss Penny to entertain them. Even Lord Wessex seemed to be bored by it after a time. She laughed overly loud for a moment and then her face changed to a ping of discomfort. She turned to Lord Lockhart, who wasn’t paying attention to her at all.
Charity nodded in her direction, so he turned. “What is it? Are you well?”
She shook her head. And wrapped her hands around her stomach.
Charity stood. “Shall I fetch your mother?”
“Let her betrothed make such a noble gesture.” Lord Wessex eyed Lord Lockhart in what looked almost like a challenge.
“She is not my betrothed. But I’m happy to help. Shall I summon Mrs. Westchester?”
Miss Penny stood. “I shall summon her myself.” But she swayed a moment and then gripped the back of her chair.
Lord Wessex leapt forward and caught her mid-swoon.
“Oh goodness.”
Lord Lockhart looked as though he might leap over the table, but Lord Wessex waved him away. “Don’t upset the glasses.” He hefted Miss Penny up into his arms. Many in the room looked to Lord Lockhart and back to Lord Wessex, and the whispers were starting.
“Oh, they’re gonna talk about this.”
“Has that ever bothered us before?”
“No, but they were discussing our overly educated conversation and our bluestocking ways, all things I view as the highest compliments.”
“Too true.” He studied her so long she at last turned to face him.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know. I just don’t know if sorry is going to fix any of this.” How could it?
