Page 6 of A Brooding Christmas Promise
“My dear Charlotte!”
Charlotte looked up, then rose to her feet as a warm smile spread across her face. “Lord Hesterway, how good to see you.”
The gentleman took her hand and bowed over it, his happiness evident in his kind expression. “We are family now, so I insist that you are no longer as formal. I can either be Hesterway or Charles to you.”
Charlotte smiled. “Charles, then. I thank you for your invitation – and your insistence – that I join you for Christmas. It was very kind of you.”
Lord Hesterway waved one hand as though to dismiss her words, then sat down in a chair opposite both Charlotte and Amelia. “It was the very least I could do. I am glad to see that my letters to your stepmother had the desired effect!”
“And my letters to you also,” Amelia murmured, taking Charlotte’s hand for a moment. “I did not think that you were going to join us, given your reluctance at first.”
Charlotte looked away, still feeling a tug of guilt. “Lady Barcsay did make it very clear to me that I was to remain with her. She reminded me repeatedly about my father’s desire for my presence to stay with her, though our brother made it very plain that she was to spend all of the festive period with them.” She gave Amelia a small smile. “Our brother was also most insistent.”
“Thomas has always been good that way,” Amelia answered. “He and I have exchanged letters about your present circumstances. We do not think that you should feel obliged to cling to them.”
“And yet, I do.” Charlotte held up one hand, silencing her sister. “I know that you will insist that I need not do as he demanded but the guilt which swarms me whenever I feel like stepping away from our stepmother and pursuing my own life is something which I cannot bear.”
Her sister’s lips pulled flat. “No doubt that is something that she has been very good in placing upon you also. I presume that you have seen that part of father’s will, however?”
Charlotte nodded. “Our stepmother had it sent to us from the solicitors and I read it clearly. It was a separate missive, something which had only been written very recently before our father’s sad passing, but it was signed with his signature and held his seal.” She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling just how much her spirits had sunk when she had read those words. “It was obvious to me then that our father was very clear in his decision.”
“So you have come to London just to enjoy the time with us then, rather than seek out a gentleman for yourself?”
Charlotte nodded, ignoring the way that her heart leapt with a sudden, furious hope. “Yes, that is all that I have come for. I want to enjoy Christmas here in London with you both, that is all. I shall enjoy society’s company, of course, but I cannot permit myself to have any interest in any gentleman whatsoever.” She smiled as she spoke though she kept her tears within. It was not something she had become used to as yet, this idea of being a spinster. Her heart desperately wanted to have the freedom that her sister and her brother had been offered but, as the youngest of the three siblings, it seemed that she was not to be given it. “Now, what is it that we are to do this evening? I hear that there is some wonderful occasion but as yet, Amelia has not told me what it is to be!”
Amelia reached for her teacup but much to Charlotte’s relief, did not say anything further about Charlotte’s present situationbut instead, followed her lead in changing the conversation. “We are to attend the Earl of Trenton’s soiree – or is it a ball? I do not know what it is but it is one of the finest occasions of the little Season and something that, it is said, is looked forward to every year by theton.” A note of excitement came into Amelia’s voice as she set her teacup down, her expression becoming a little more animated. “It is an evening of sparkling entertainment, with each room holding entertainmentsandan orchestra in the ballroom for those who wish to dance!”
“Goodness! That gentleman must be very wealthy indeed to put on such a wonderful event.” Charlotte felt her own heart lift in anticipation. “I do hope that one of the gowns I have brought will be suitable?” Doubt suddenly filled her thoughts and she looked down at her hands, afraid now that she would appear unfashionable and mayhap a little frumpy. “I am afraid that our stepmother was not inclined to permit me any spending on new gowns.”
“It is just as well that I have already purchased some for you,” Amelia replied, smiling warmly as Charlotte’s face lit up, happiness and appreciation pouring through her. “You and I are much the same size and so, in anticipation of your arrival, I made certain you had an entirely new wardrobe.”
Charlotte pressed her sister’s hands, her doubt flying away in a single moment. “I am very grateful indeed, Amelia, I thank you.”
“But of course.” Amelia shared a look with her husband who smiled and nodded, clearly just as contented as Amelia was to be able to offer such a thing. “You are my very dear sister and I want to make certain that this Christmas time, you have nothing but happiness.” Her smile began to fade. “I cannot imagine that these last few months have been easy.”
“But that is not important now,” Charlotte answered, refusing to let herself think back to the difficult circumstancesshe had endured over the last few months. Her stepmother had never been a kind-hearted soul and despite her insistence that Charlotte do as her late father had demanded, she had never shown any happiness over it. “I am here now and that is all that matters.”
“Indeed.” Amelia took in a deep breath, smiled and then picked up her tea again. “And tonight shall be the most wonderful evening, I am quite sure.”
“An excellent way to begin your time in London,” Lord Hesterway said, with a smile. “Have no doubt, Charlotte, these next few weeks are going to be the most enjoyable of your life.”
***
“My goodness gracious!” Charlotte could not help her exclamation as she stepped into the ballroom, taking in the beauty of the room itself. There were mirrors on almost every wall, candelabras filled with a great many candles spreading out their golden glow. The walls were festooned with garlands of ivy and holly berries and in the corner, Charlotte saw a mistletoe bough placed in both an obvious and somewhat discreet position. She smiled to herself, trying to push aside the flicker of excitement in her chest. Any gentleman dancing with a lady might choose to stop underneath that bough and steal a kiss in exchange for one of the mistletoe berries, so she was quite sure that almost every unattached gentleman present would be eager to do so! Giving a slight shake, she reminded herself that such a thing would not happen to her given that she was not acquainted with many people present.
“It is most extraordinary, is it not?” Amelia smiled and took her arm, leading her forward. “And would you look at the floor? Is it not beautiful?”
Charlotte's breath caught in her throat as she gazed down at the intricately designed
floor of the ballroom. The polished wood gleamed under the warm glow of the
candlelight, reflecting the soft hues of the silks and satins worn by the evening’s
guests. In the centre of the room, a beautifully painted circle showcased a coat of arms, undoubtedly belonging to their esteemed host. Surrounding it were delicate motifs of holly and ivy, meticulously detailed, evoking the richness of the season. The craftsmanship was exquisite, drawing Charlotte's eye for several moments as she admired the artistry that adorned the space where they would soon dance and mingle.
“I must say, how sad it will be to dance upon such artwork,” she murmured, as Amelia chuckled. “It seems much too beautiful to just step on while dancing.”
“But dance we must!” Amelia answered, smiling. “I do hope that you will dance despite your decision not to let any gentleman pursue you. There can be nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, surely?”
