Page 7 of A Brooding Christmas Promise
Considering, Charlotte eventually nodded. “I can see no difficulty, I suppose so yes, I shall dance, if I am asked.” She offered her sister a slightly rueful smile. “Aside from our host, I am not at all acquainted with any of the other guests!”
“Oh, that is not so,” her sister replied, chuckling. “There are many that you are already acquainted with, though you mayhap may not remember them given that it was some years ago. But you need not fear, I will introduce you to as many as possible so you will feel yourself just as much at home here as you are at the Dower house.”
“I do not feel at home there at all, so this shall be a welcome change,” Charlotte answered, with a small, wry smile. “Thank you, Amelia, for all your kindnesses. This will be the most wonderful Christmas, I am sure.”
Amelia smiled and pulled her close for a moment. “But of course.”
“Ah. I did wonder if I would see you here.”
Charlotte stopped sharply as both she and Amelia looked back at a lady who appeared familiar but whose name Charlotte could not remember.
“You do not seem to recall me, given your silence.” The way the lady’s lip curled made Charlotte’s heart sink, suddenly realizing why there was such a sense of familiarity. “My sister wrote to inform me that you would be present in London during the little Season, Miss Charlotte, pardon me I should say Miss Millerton, and thus charged me to make certain that you remembered what your father required of you.”
Charlotte lifted her chin. “Lady Foster, is it not?”
The lady chuckled, her eyes just as sharp as Lady Barcsay’s could be. “You recall me, then? Yes, I am sister to your stepmother. The last time I saw you both was at my sister’s wedding.”
Amelia cleared her throat, catching the lady’s attention and drawing it away from Charlotte. “You did not attend my father’s funeral.”
“No, I did not.” No explanation was given for this, making Charlotte frown. “But how fortunate that I am here in London now, while you yourself are also, Miss Millerton.” Again, her eyes went to Charlotte’s face though there was no warmth there. “I will be able to inform my sister of your behaviour and I will be as present as I can be to make certain you remember your requirement to my sister rather than to yourself.”
“I have no need for such a thing,” Charlotte answered, quickly. “You may mean well, Lady Foster, but I can assure you that I do not need to be reminded.”
Lady Foster did not accept this, giving Charlotte a quick shake of her head. “I am afraid that I have no interest in whetheryou believe that you have no requirement for such a thing or not, Miss Millerton! That is my intention and I shall stick with it.” She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing all the more. “Do not think that you will be able to push me from my task by mere words, my sister has already informed me of your selfishness, your stubborn nature and your discontent. You will find me as your shadow, Miss Millerton.” She rose to her full height, her lips pursed. “Good evening to you both.”
The moment the lady stepped away, Charlotte dropped her head and closed her eyes, all of the happiness she had once felt now evaporating away.
“I cannot quite believe her audacity!” Amelia, indignant, began to lead Charlotte in the opposite direction from Lady Foster, taking quick, hasty steps. “How dare she think that she can come and follow you around as though you are a debutante with a need for a chaperone?”
“It is our stepmother’s intentions that troubles me,” Charlotte sighed, heavily. “She clearly desires that I do just as I have said and is, mayhap, a little unhappy with the fact that I decided to come to London against her wishes.”
Amelia snorted. “A little unhappy? I think that she is greatly frustrated and, given that you defied her – though I do not see it that way, given that you are of age – she has now made certain that you will still have an awareness of her presence! No doubt she wished to attend London herself but could not, given that our brother and his wife expect her to jointhemfor the festive season.”
“But what am I to do?” Charlotte asked, her thoughts still heavy, the evening no longer holding as much joy nor as much anticipation as it had before. “If Lady Foster is here to practically stand guard over me, then I shall not have any happiness whatsoever!”
Amelia turned to face her, grasped Charlotte’s wrist and, after a moment, hurried forward. Charlotte had no choice but to follow her, walking with her sister to the side of the ballroom where there were less people present and a little less light with it. Amelia released her, took in a deep breath and gazed into Charlotte’s face, clearly waiting for her to catch her breath and calm herself. It was something Amelia had always done and, even now, though it took a few moments for Charlotte to quieten her heart and whirling thoughts, they steadied all the same.
“You arenotto let either our stepmother or her sister bring any sort of darkness to what is going to be a wonderful Christmas,” she said, firmly. “I promise you that we will not always be in her company and, if we must, then we can be just as determined as she is.”
Charlotte blinked. “What do you mean by that?”
“We can find out whether or not she is to be present at various occasions,” Amelia said, firmly, bringing Charlotte’s heart a little relief. “I believe that she is wed to a Viscount – from what I recall – but I am wed to an Earl and thus, our standing is not quite similar enough for us to always be at the same occasions. I can assure you, my dear sister, that Lady Foster will not have as much of a presence in your life as she might wish to have. Those here in London who are my friends will listen to me about this matter and make certain Lady Foster is not invited, should it come to that.” She took a breath, clearly determined. “Lady Foster calls herself your shadow but she will be nothing more than a cloud which passes for a moment and then fades away.” Her sister lifted her chin, a small smile catching the edge of her lips. “And if I must, I will throw my own events and make certain she is not invited. We cannot let her succeed, Charlotte. Do you hear me? You must be strong in this, refusing to let her capture a hold of your Christmas and make it into the dull, miserable affair she clearly wishes – all on behalf of her sister,I might add! You have already given up enough. Are you certain that you wish to give up even this?”
Charlotte closed her eyes, took in a breath and then let it out slowly. Opening her eyes – and catching sight of a gentleman who, his eyes flickering with interest, merely inclined his head and then stepped away – felt herself blush furiously, wondering just how much he had overheard. “Thank you, Amelia,” she said, making sure to keep her voice low and quiet. “You are quite right. I ought not to have let her words take such a hold of me.”
Amelia smiled, released her hands and then, stepping beside her again, looped her hand through Charlotte’s arm. “Very good. Now, ignore her entirely, I beg you, and let us go in search of some more fine company. I will introduce you to everyone I can think of and you will be dancing very soon, I am sure.”
Charlotte forced a smile, still dampening down her concern over Lady Foster’s presence. Amelia was right, of course, for she was not about to permit one lady’s determination to ruin what was meant to be a very pleasant time here in London! Try as she might, however, Charlotte felt herself a little nervous still as she resisted the desire to look over her shoulder, wondering if Lady Foster was following after her even here in the ballroom. It was only when Amelia began to introduce her to a group of gentlemen and ladies that Charlotte was finally forced to put all of that away from her mind and instead, offer greetings to them all.
This Christmas might not have been what she anticipated, what with the arrival of Lady Foster, but Charlotte had to make the best of it regardless. She only prayed she could.
Chapter Four
I do not wish to be here.Samuel scowled to himself as he made his way through the throng of guests only then to turn sharply and make for the side of the ballroom, eagerly seeking out the shadows. It was only because his very dear friend had thrown this wonderful occasion that Samuel had consented to be present, though within moments of stepping inside, he had wanted to take his leave again. Christmas was, to him, a rather dull affair for, without family to share it with, he had spent the last three years alone. Yes, there had been invitations to various events on Christmas day itself, but Samuel had always chosen not to attend. Instead, he had let himself sink slowly into discontent and drunkenness, trying to push aside the dark memories which always haunted him.
At leastshewill not be here this Season.
Samuel let out a long breath and clasped his hands behind his back, meandering slowly rather than pushing his way through. He had no desire to stop and speak with anyone at present, his stomach clenching as unpleasant memories returned to him. It had been three years since he had last enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, only for that happiness to be swallowed up entirely in one single, broken moment. Time and again, Samuel had attempted to set it aside, had told himself that he did not want to think of her or all that had happened, but the memories refused to leave. It was as though they delighted in tormenting him, were pleased to bring him pain. That was why he despised these occasions, why he did not like conversing with anyone nor wished to step out to dance. The last time he had done so, it had brought him nothing but a broken heart. Why should he risk such a thing again?
