Page 15 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
Charlotte laughed behind her hand at the man’s look of disturbance. There was a slight bump in his nose, but it did not look like the leftover of some accident. It looked like it belonged there, was sculpted that way on purpose. It was the most perfect imperfection that made the man all the more attractive.
She blushed at her thoughts and looked down at her shoes. “Are you well?” It was Lord Easterly’s voice.
Charlotte looked up at him through her lashes. He was tall, so much taller than she remembered. He was bigger than in her memories, his shape seemed all the larger when he was close. “I assure you that I am fine.”
Amanda’s presence was announced by clicking boots and her voice reached Charlotte before she even saw her through the doorway. “Goodbye, Mrs. Sullivan! I do hope you can manage without me.”
Amanda came through the door along with Mrs. Sullivan. Charlotte’s heart leapt for one dreadful moment that perhaps the woman was going to change her mind and come with them. Mrs. Sullivan simply gave Lord Easterly a curtsey. “Godspeed, Your Lordship,” Mrs. Sullivan told him.
Lord Easterly smiled at the woman. “Take care, Mrs. Sullivan. We shall be back in a few months’ time. As always, Edward can reach me if need be.”
“Of course, Sir,” Mrs. Sullivan said with a crisp nod.
Most of the household staff had wandered out of the house to see them off. Charlotte had never really seen the staff all together and it really was quite an impressive group of people. She could scarcely imagine that there was a whole other set of staff at the London residence. No wonder Lord Easterly needed stewards and housekeepers.
“We had best be off,” Lord Easterly said. At the sound of his voice, the last of the luggage was placed and secured, and even Amanda hurried along to her carriage followed by Katrina. Charlotte did not mind having to ride with Katrina. She was just relieved that Mrs. Sullivan would be staying here.
Perhaps the housekeeper at the London residence would be kinder. Then again, Charlotte thought, Mrs. Sullivan had not been cruel. The strict housekeeper just might have come by her disposition due to having to work with difficult people over the years. All the same, Charlotte was still glad to wave goodbye to the woman.
Katrina and Amanda settled down, as did Charlotte. She had not slept well and if the ride was as long as Lord Easterly said then she would be grateful to spend it sleeping. She leaned her head against the side of the carriage and soon knew no more as sleep overtook her.
*
The inn where they stayed was the most frequented on the road. Graham had tried to get Miss Browne her own room, but the inn had only had so many rooms available. She took the news that she would be sleeping in the room with Katrina fairly well. Katrina seemed more put out by the situation than Charlotte.
Graham walked outside to check on the carriages. “Richard, how is everything with the carriages?”
“Good. The teams should hold up well after a good night’s sleep,” Richard said with a smile. “The lads and I are going to sleep here to keep an eye on the luggage and such. Heard a rumour there are some rogues around the roads of late.”
Graham nodded. “Best to be careful then. Room for one more?”
Richard chuckled. “I do not think it’s a proper place for a gentleman.”
“It is if you have cards,” Graham gave him a grin. “I simply cannot sleep at present.”
“I could stand a hand of cards,” the footman called. “My knees are killing me.”
They set about getting a table in the corner cleared off enough that they could play. The other carriage crews soon joined them. Graham regretted very much when he had to go inside and be responsible again. After all, he had people to meet in London and he could not really be completely sleep deprived. “Do not stay up too late. I want to stay on the road tomorrow, Richard.”
Richard nodded. “I shall be in Dreamland soon, Your Lordship. Sleep well.”
Graham came into the inn just as the innkeeper was about to lock up. “Good timing,” the man said with a chuckle.
“I have been told that before. Perhaps it is true after all,” Graham said with a smile. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Your Lordship,” the innkeeper called after him. Graham heard the doors lock and made his way up the stairs with legs that felt heavier with every step.
When he fell into bed that night he did not even dream. The next thing he knew was that he was being roused by his valet, Victor. “Good morning, Your Lordship. Are you ready to get yourself presentable?”
“I do not suppose I truly have a choice,” Graham grumbled. He stretched and yawned. “I do hope breakfast is edible.”
Victor laid out a suit of clothes next to him on the bed as Graham sat up. He stood and began disrobing as there was little use in wasting time. The daylight was a precious commodity when one was travelling. The grey suit that Victor had laid out received Graham’s approval.
It had taken the man a good deal of time to understand that Graham truly did not like the current fashion trends. Older and more classic styles suited him better. It was one of the many reasons his sister insisted he was well on his way to becoming their father.
Graham simply did not like the fuss of the newer styles. They all looked as though they took ages to get in and out of, and the impracticality of that was unacceptable. It still took him far too long to dress as it was.
The ladies were not yet downstairs, but Graham did not expect them to be. For however long it took him to get ready, he always anticipated that ladies took at least three times as long, and that was with help. He chose a table at random and sat down.
