Page 26 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
Say something to him. He is leaving. Tell him now! She thought as he went further away from her with each moment of hesitation.
“Your Grace.” Charlotte called out to him. He turned back to her. “I… just wondered if you needed anything.”
“That is most kind, My Lady. I would like if you could join us all for cards after. This is an activity for both ladies and gentlemen,” he said with a smile.
“Yes, Your Grace. I would like that indeed,” Charlotte replied. He then turned back in the direction he had been going before she had stopped him.
Charlotte had been courted once or twice before. With the duke, it had a completely different atmosphere about it. He made her feel safe and sought her company out above others. This alone made Charlotte wish he could have been the man she spent the rest of her life with.
The tea had been filled with laughter. Charlotte felt she could tell her new group of friends any detail and they would accept her. She had been able to tell a good person from a bad one with far more skill as a child than most adults ever did in their lifetime.Not one single lady in the room made her feel any discomfort in their presence.
It is a shame my own sister can not manage to be as civilized! Charlotte thought, and her heart sank for an instant.
A servant entered and announced that the card table was prepared. The ladies thanked her and made their way to their waiting gentlemen. Charlotte felt proud to stand beside the duke.
“Do you enjoy cards, My Lady?” The duke leaned towards her as he asked.
“I do, Your Grace. However, I have poor luck when playing.” Charlotte downplayed the truth.
“I am sure it is not that severe,” he said encouragingly.
“I once lost my puppy to my sister, Your Grace.” Charlotte said still saddened at having lost her pet.
“I hope she took care of it, My Lady,” the duke said, with such genuine concern that her heart felt almost at its bursting point.
“My father insisted she return it, Your Grace,” Charlotte said with a satisfied smile.
“That brings me great relief, My Lady.”
“I have something for you, Your Grace.” Charlotte said softly as she handed him a neatly folded napkin.
“What is this?” he asked, as he opened the parcel with care. Once opened he found a piece of cake and a biscuit inside. “My Lady! Thank you so much.”
“You did say that you would have preferred more cake, Your Grace.” Charlotte said with a smile.
“This will be the very best piece of cake I have had all night, thank you My Lady.”
“It is my pleasure, Your Grace.”
The duke took a small bite and relished it. Charlotte giggled at his over-exaggerated enjoyment.
They shared a long smile as a servant came to deal the cards to the guests. Once each had the same number of cards, the game could begin. Bonny, who sat opposite Charlotte, already had a grin on her face as she secretly looked at the cards she had been dealt. The gentleman beside her was her escort. Since eachplayer here was a couple, it would be improper for her to be present without representation.
Charlotte, in truth, had remarkable luck in games of chance. She wanted to see how the duke would act if he believed she may change his fortune dramatically. Charlotte held her cards close as the duke leaned in to explain the rules. Charlotte enjoyed the calm, patient way he spoke. She found it difficult to concentrate when, as the duke spoke, his warm breath on her neck played havoc with her senses.
“Are these any good, Your Grace?” Charlotte asked, though she knew they were.
“Why yes, My Lady,” the duke said as he leaned in a bit closer. “I would say that most of our guests are going to lose here tonight,” he said with admiration.
“I think it would only work with your help, Your Grace.” Charlotte said in a manner that held more meaning that any of them dared ponder on.
“Then I shall be glad to assist, My Lady.” The duke gave her a tender smile.
“Now, now you two,” Cecil said jokingly as they both turned to see their guests were waiting on them.
“Start the game,” the duke declared, and they all cheered. It was not long into the game when Charlotte noticed three of their guests were in almost constant conversation. It would not have bothered her as much if it were not plain that they were speaking ill of the duke. They kept looking at him and then turning to each other to speak.
Charlotte willed them to stop. She knew her temper would not contain this insult much longer. She disliked conflict, yet would not stand by while a kind man like the duke was being disrespected by his guests. Charlotte leaned in and heard parts of their conversation.
