Page 33 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
Charlotte assured Mrs. Lennox, “I did not take offense.”
“I am so glad to hear that,” Lord Stanhope said with a smile. “It gives me hope that if I ask to call upon you that you might accept?”
Charlotte, despite herself, smiled at the man’s charming ways. “I see no reason that I would not accept.”
“Then it is settled,” Lord Stanhope said.
Charlotte reminded him, “You have not yet asked.”
“She caught me on that one,” Lord Stanhope said with a jolly laugh to Mrs. Lennox. He looked at Charlotte again. “May I have the honour of calling upon you, Miss Browne?”
Charlotte gave the man a nod. “I would like that, Lord Stanhope. Yes, you may.”
“Very good.” Lord Stanhope turned to Mrs. Lennox. “I do apologise for rushing off, but it would not do for me to keep you ladies talking in the streets. I would do nothing to jeopardise your reputations.” He gave them a deep bow and they curtseyed in return.
The next moment the jaunty young lord was off down the street and Charlotte let a sigh out. Mrs. Lennox turned to her and gave Charlotte a pat on the arm. “Congratulations on your first significant social interaction. I am sure there will be plenty more to come. Lord Stanhope is very well connected.”
Charlotte blushed. “He seems very nice.”
“He is, or he was as a child. I do not know much of him as a man. I am better-acquainted with his brother, the Earl of Brunswick.” Mrs. Lennox and Charlotte continued their walk down the street.
Charlotte had forgotten the man was related to an earl. The idea of a nobleman with such connections coming to visit her made her quite nervous. He was well above her station. Then again, it was not as if she were going to marry him.
She lost herself in thought as she pondered what that would be like. Lord Graham was an earl and he was quite a lovely man. Lord Stanhope surely could be no more intimidating than the Earl of Atcham.
“Where have you wandered off to?” Mrs. Lennox asked the question as she peered at Charlotte with curiosity.
Mrs. Lennox was a serious, slender woman with hair the colour of an old oak tree. Charlotte gave a little laugh and waved off Mrs. Lennox’s concern. “My mind just pondered why he might choose to visit one such as me.”
“Never ponder such things,” Mrs. Lennox said with a firm tone. “A lady should always know her own worth. You are worthy of any man in London or beyond visiting you. Are you not?”
Charlotte nodded. “When you put it that way, I have to say that I am.”
“Very good,” Mrs. Lennox said with a pleased smile. “Come, let us go get something to eat before we venture back home. I daresay that the children will be done with their lessons by late afternoon.”
Charlotte fell into step beside her. “Do you think that the children enjoy history lessons?”
“I daresay they probably would like other things better, but I do believe that a broad education is best for them as well-rounded ladies and gentlemen.” Mrs. Lennox tapped her fan against her palm as they walked. “What sort of lesson would you think they would approve of more?”
Charlotte swung her arms in a carefree manner as she thought back to her life as a girl. “I always loved riding lessons.”
“They do take some riding lessons during the later summer months.” Mrs. Lennox smiled at Charlotte. “Perhaps if you stay with us long enough, you can join them.”
Charlotte nodded. “That does sound lovely.” Charlotte asked, “What is that man doing?” She waved her hand in the general direction of a shop where a man was in front of a window with a light shining behind him.
“Oh, that is Mr. Haven’s portrait studio. He does lovely penny portraits and such. We should stop in and say hello.”
Mrs. Lennox had already turned toward the shop, which made Charlotte instantly regret her words. Despite her misgivings, Charlotte had little choice but to follow her.
*
James twirled his cane around as he smiled to himself. He was at the family estate. His brother wanted to meet with him. James could only imagine what Branson wanted with him.
The doorman had ushered James on through with a nod and a wave towards Branson’s study. He went to see where his brother was and he found the Earl of Brunswick hunched over some papers that James felt sure were as boring and dry as Branson himself.
“Good day, Brother,” James said as he sauntered into the room and closed the door behind him.
Branson looked up at James with a considering glance. “Sit down, James.”
