Page 12 of A Brooding Christmas Promise
“Yes, Miss Millerton?” Lord Crestwood rose from his bow, a slightly enquiring look on his face. “Is there something that I can help you with in this regard?”
“It is a slightly strange situation, the one I find myself in,” Charlotte began, taking his arm when it was offered to her, grateful that he was willing to continue the conversation, at least. “I do not know Lady Foster in any way whatsoever, nor her husband either though we have been introduced.”
“I see.”
Charlotte pressed her lips together for a moment, her heart jumping as she chose her next few words carefully. “I know thatyou overheard a little of what my sister and I were saying at Lord Trenton’s ball,” she continued, seeing him duck his head, heat instantly in his cheeks. “I do not hold anything against you for that – it is a ballroom, filled with guests and sometimes, it is unavoidable.”
“Though it was impolite of me to linger,” he stated, surprising her. “I should not have done so. Forgive me for that.”
Liking him all the more, Charlotte smiled. “But of course. Thank you for acknowledging that.”
He smiled back at her and much to her frustration, Charlotte’s heart leapt up though she quietened it just as quickly. “Now, what was it you were to ask me about Lord and Lady Foster?”
Charlotte’s smile dropped. “I was about to ask if you would consider coming to speak with my sister and me about what you know of them? I know very little about their character or the like and anything that you know might be of aid to us.”
Much to her relief, Lord Crestwood began to nod slowly as they continued to wander through the crowd of guests. “I do not think that there is much I could tell you but I would be glad to share with you what I know. Might I suggest that Lord Trenton joins us? He has also had a few dealings with Lord Foster and might be able to speak on that also.”
Recalling that gentleman, Charlotte agreed quickly. “Yes, of course. I should like that very much although please, given what you have overheard already, I would be grateful if you did not share that with Lord Trenton in advance. If my sister and I feel it prudent, we might be willing to share a little of our present difficulties.”
“But of course. As I have said, I was wrong to stand and listen to something that was not mine to pay attention to,” the gentleman answered, quickly. “Now, I must beg your forgiveness but I must step away. I am to dance now with Lady Imogen, Ithink, and must go in search of her before it is called.” Releasing her arm, he turned to her, smiling as he inclined his head. “I shall call tomorrow, if it is convenient?”
Charlotte nodded, bobbing a quick curtsy. “It is, I thank you.”
With another smile, he turned and took his leave and Charlotte, for whatever reason, could not help but watch him depart for just a few moments. Her hands clasped tightly together in front of her, her heart filling with a sense of contentment and, with it, some relief that this gentleman had not only come to her aid with Lady Foster but was about to offer her some understanding as to who this lady truly was. With a smile on her face, Charlotte turned on her heel and went in search of her sister, the happiness within her growing steadily. Lady Foster had given her a shock, indeed, but it had led to an excellent conversation – and a wonderful dance – with Lord Crestwood. Charlotte could not have asked for anything better.
Chapter Six
Lord Trenton lifted an eyebrow as Samuel climbed into the carriage. “Good afternoon. Remind me where it is we are to go this afternoon?”
“To speak with Miss Charlotte Millerton and her sister, Lady Amelia Hesterway,” Samuel answered, as he rapped on the carriage roof to tell the coachman to make his way onward. “Goodness, it is bitterly cold today, is it not?”
“It is.” Lord Trenton shivered, his gloved hands clasped tightly in his lap. “I am sure we shall be given a warm welcome, however.” He tilted his head just a little, searching Samuel’s expression. “You danced with Miss Millerton last evening.”
Samuel nodded. “I did. That is the reason that we are both calling on her and her sister today.” Seeing the confusion on his friend’s face – for Samuel had not explained everything the previous evening when he had asked Lord Trenton to accompany him – he began to speak of what had happened. “Quite by chance, I saw the lady that I had overheard speaking with her sister at your ball. What shocked me was that another lady reached out and yanked her hard, by the arm, dragging her back towards her rather than permitting her to leave which was clearly what she desired.”
Lord Trenton’s eyes flared. “Goodness.”
“It was Lady Foster,” Samuel continued, quickly. “I am not acquainted with the lady myself but in conversation with Miss Millerton, came to understand that there was some difficulty there. We danced, indeed, for that was the reason I gave for interrupting their conversation, and thereafter, she asked if I would come to speak with her in order to inform both Lady Hesterway and her about Lord Foster and what I knew of him. Isuggested that you attend also, given that you know the fellow a little too.”
Lord Trenton’s lip curled. “I wish I did not know him,” he muttered, a little darkly. “Might I ask why they wish to know about them both?”
Samuel opened his mouth to respond, only to close it again and shake his head. “I cannot say, I am afraid. That will be for the ladies themselves to share, if they so wish it. All I will say is that there is clearly some difficulty being brought to them by Lady Foster, if not by her husband also, and given that they are not very well acquainted with either of them, they now desire our help.”
“Which, of course, I am glad to give,” Lord Trenton said, quickly, as the carriage came to a stop. “It is good that you were able to intervene. How dreadful for Miss Millerton to have been treated so by the lady, particularly in front of all the other guests! Did she not think of the gossip and the like which thetonmight then throw at her?”
Samuel winced as the door was pulled open and cold air rushed in. “I do not think, given Lady Foster’s scarlet face, that she cared very much about who could overhear her,” he said, gesturing for Lord Trenton to hurry out. He recalled the moment that he had seen the lady reaching out to grab Miss Millerton’s wrist, remembering the fire of indignation which had rushed up through him. He had wanted to speak to Lady Foster, had wanted to demand to know what it was she thought to be doing to the young lady but had, at the very last moment, changed his mind and stepped in simply to take the lady out to dance. He was glad to have made such a choice, aware that things could have been turned out very poorly indeed had he chosen to speak with harshness.
Climbing out of the carriage, both he and his friend climbed the steps to the house and were shown in at once. Much toSamuel’s delight, the drawing room had a fire blazing, warmth rushing towards him as he walked inside, bowing first to Lady Hesterway and, thereafter, to Miss Millerton. Miss Millerton, he noted, appeared to be a little pale though she was smiling, her expression filled with welcome. Had something more happened with Lady Foster? Or was it that she was merely fatigued after yesterday’s ball?
“How very good of you both to come to call,” Lady Hesterway said, just as the door opened to reveal Lord Hesterway, whom Samuel was already acquainted with. The gentlemen all shook hands, Lord Hesterway poured them a drink while the ladies settled to a tea tray and, once a few minutes of conversation had passed by, Samuel turned his attention to the matter at hand.
“Miss Millerton, I do hope that you are quite all right after your ordeal last evening?”
Miss Millerton smiled at him, then reached for her tea. “I am quite well, I thank you.” She picked it up and took a small sip but Samuel continued to study her, taking in the paleness of her cheek, her green eyes a little more vivid than they might otherwise have been. “It was something of a shock, indeed,” she continued, perhaps aware of his scrutiny. “I did not expect Lady Foster ever to treat me in such a way.” A sidelong glance towards her sister stole Samuel’s attention for a moment, looking instead to Lady Hesterway who had reached out to press her sister’s hand.
“I have explained to Lord Trenton what I witnessed and what I did,” Samuel added, before nodding to his friend. “He and I are more than willing to tell you as much as we can about Lord and Lady Foster.”
“That would be very helpful.” Lord Hesterway cleared his throat but shook his head. “This is a most unsettling business and not at all helpful for Charlotte, of course!”
