Page 77 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
“I almost despise asking, but where is your brother today?” Charlotte prepared herself for hearing about another trip that had taken Graham far from home.
Amanda opened the dining hall door. “I do think he is sitting at the table.”
Charlotte’s heart leapt against her chest as she hurried to catch up with Amanda. Just as Amanda had stated, Graham was seated at the head of the dining room table with a cup of coffee and some paper that he was reading. He looked up at her entrance and Charlotte felt her breath stick in her throat as his eyes locked on hers.
Amanda went past her toward the table and Charlotte forced herself to at least put on a show of normality as she went to sit down. Graham stood up as they approached. He pulled out a chair to his left for his sister. Then he pulled out a chair to his right where he obviously intended Charlotte to sit.
Charlotte made her way to the chair as he held it out for her. She whispered, “Thank you.” As soon as she was seated, Graham went back to his spot at the head of the table.
He looked at them with a vaguely amused smile. “I heard you two talking of dresses.”
Charlotte blushed deeply thinking of him overhearing them talking of how best to dress enticingly for him. Amanda shrugged. “Well, someone has to remind Charlotte that she can do a little shopping. I for one feel overdue for the matter.”
“You always feel overdue for shopping,” Graham reminded his sister. He turned to Charlotte. ”But it might be a good adventure to keep your spirits up. I have noted that you seem a bit melancholy as of late.”
Charlotte shook her head to deny his words. “I have not been melancholy. I have simply been disappointed with all the travelling you have had to do.”
“I wish I could put off these trips, but it is better to do them before the wedding.” Graham reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I would rather do them now than have business intrude on our honeymoon.”
Charlotte had not thought of that. She gave the man a smile. “That is a very good point. Perhaps I should have set the date out further to ensure you had time to complete your business affairs.”
“I think the date is perfect as it is,” Graham said with a swift sternness that told Charlotte he was in as much of a hurry to get the wedding over with as she was.
Amanda tittered with laughter. “You two are adorable.”
“Speaking of business, have you two sorted out the maid situation?” Graham’s eyes shifted between them as he poured their tea for them.
Amanda took her cup of tea with a grateful smile. “Talking to your bride-to-be about the matter has left my tongue tired.”
“Charlotte,” Graham said as he set a cup of tea in front of Charlotte. “For once, my sister has a point.”
“I resent that,” Amanda put in, but Graham ignored her.
Charlotte sighed. “I know. I just find the task daunting.”
“Let Amanda help you then.” Graham lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “She has had experience with this sort of thing, after all.”
Amanda beamed. “Although my first choice of a lady’s maid did run off and get engaged to my brother.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Amanda which only caused the woman more merriment. “Your cakes are getting cold,” Charlotte said pointedly to her.
Amanda nodded with a smile. She turned her attention to her cakes, but Charlotte saw the amusement on her face still. Charlotte noted then that Graham did not have any of the cakes, or any food at all in front of him. “Have you eaten already?”
“No,” Graham replied as he looked back at his papers. “Those cakes are far too sweet for my taste, and I have an early luncheon with an associate.”
Charlotte took a bite of her cake. It was very sweet, but warm and buttery too. She found on this matter she had to agree with Amanda. The cakes were quite delicious.
“So, you will be travelling again today then?” Charlotte’s heart had been so hopeful that they might get to stroll in the garden, or at the very least talk some more.
Graham nodded and took a sip of his coffee. “I will not be very far, though. I should be back by the evening meal.”
“That is good,” Charlotte said. She could put up with a little absence, so long as he was not going to be gone for days at a time.
Graham’s eyes met hers for a moment, but it was enough for Charlotte to see that he was not eager to be away either. A smile played over her lips as she ate her breakfast, content with catching Graham’s gaze off and on in a teasing manner. He seemed wise to her little game with the way the corner of his lips quirked up every time she gave him a sidelong glance.
Amanda eventually grew tired of the quiet and began prattling on about who to invite to the wedding. Charlotte had only a very short list of people to invite, so she did not have much interest in the list of names that Amanda was going on about. Graham nodded along with her, dismissing a few names with varying reasons.
“There is no need to invite all of London, Amanda.” Graham sighed at his sister as he folded his paper and laid it on the table. He had been very indulgent with her of late, Charlotte noted. But he gave her a disapproving look. “It is not normally custom for weddings to be large affairs.”
