Page 76 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
“I can see why. I am simply glad that I was the one who walked in.” Amanda turned to Graham. “What if it had been one of the staff? What were you thinking?”
Graham rubbed his beard. “That is a fair question, but you might want to hear what we were actually discussing first.”
“Should I sit down?” Amanda walked over to a chair. “I feel as if I should sit down.” She dropped into the overstuffed chair. “Go on.”
Graham looked over at Charlotte who nodded. “I just asked Charlotte to marry me.”
Amanda’s eyes went wide. She looked over at Charlotte. Charlotte nodded and added, “I said yes.”
There was a moment where Graham was not sure if Amanda was going to recover. She stared at them blankly with her mouth hanging open. Then as if something clicked into place, Amanda jumped up and threw her arms around him.
“I knew she liked you,” Amanda whispered to him. She then turned toward Charlotte and gave the woman a hug. “I am so happy! It’s so odd that I am actually thrilled.”
Graham chuckled. “I am so glad that you are not throwing a tantrum over it. And what did you mean that you knew?”
Amanda waved him off and carried on talking to Charlotte. He looked between the two women. Had Charlotte confided in Amanda and she actually managed to keep a secret?
“Well, I am starved. I came here to make fun of you two and I still can. You are marrying each other. I get to make fun of Lotte forever now for marrying my dolt of a brother.” Amanda pirouetted and left the room, waving for them to follow her. “Come on. Let us go get my snack now. We shall make it a celebratory feast tonight.”
Graham looked at Charlotte, who smiled. She leaned up on her tip-toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
He whispered, “How long do you think it will take her to realise that we have not followed her?”
“Graham, you are not thinking what I think you are thinking,” Charlotte scolded playfully.
Graham pulled Charlotte to him. He was indeed thinking exactly that. He gave her a grin before he kissed her again. Despite her scolding, Charlotte returned his kiss and matched his enthusiasm.
“What are you two doing back there?” It was Amanda’s voice and Graham groaned.
Charlotte gave him a smile that somewhat eased the pain of having to put up with his sister, but only somewhat. He offered her his arm and she eagerly leaned close to him as she slid her arm through his.
Chapter 14
Since their betrothal, Charlotte had scarcely seen Graham. She had purposely set a date that was close so they would not have to wait long, and now she was glad of it. She came downstairs and peered around the foyer, which appeared empty, but Charlotte did not trust it.
Sure enough, as soon as she put a slippered foot on the stone floor, Amanda’s voice rang out. “Good Morning, Lotte!”
Charlotte sighed and turned toward her friend. “Do you hide down here all night just so you can startle me?”
“Of course not!” Amanda brushed away the idea along with a piece of imaginary lint from her shoulder. “Have you given any more thought to what I said? I have several candidates in mind.”
Charlotte wondered if Graham would hate her for murdering his sister. “Amanda, I do not see the need of me having a maid.”
“You are about to be the lady of this house. It is only right that you should have a lady’s maid. Especially when you give up wearing those childish frocks of yours,” Amanda waved to Charlotte’s simple dress.
Charlotte’s eyes went down to her dress. It was a very pale yellow, soft and understated, but made in a simplistic design. Perhaps Amanda had a point. “Do you think this style is not good?”
Amanda sighed and put her arm around Charlotte’s shoulders. “I will admit that I am bewildered by why you would want to draw my brother’s eye. However, if you wish to, then you perhaps should dress more as you did in London, as a lady would and not some wild country bumpkin.”
“That was not insulting at all,” Charlotte drawled at her friend as she was led towards the dining room.
Amanda giggled. “I must be losing my touch.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. Amanda let go of her shoulders and breathed in a deep breath. “Smell that? Henrietta has cooked those little cakes that she serves with honey. I love those.”
“You love any food. It is a wonder that you fit in that dress still,” Charlotte tossed at her friend.
Amanda threw her head back haughtily. “My darling, that is what corsets were made for.”
