Page 19 of A Lady's Dangerous Secret
“I can’t imagine. Regardless, I would be honored to see your home and the coastline.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Charlotte studied his face. He seemed sincere.
The Duke turned to her aunt. “You have a wonderful niece, Frances. I must speak with a few House members regarding a bill that’s on the table next week before taking my leave. I will see you and Lady Charlotte again soon.”
Her aunt beamed and looked around to ensure others had caught the Duke of Westcliffe’s flattery.
“I’m quite flushed from such an exhilarating dance with His Grace. I’m going to freshen up in the retiring room.” Charlotte chose this moment to take advantage of her aunt’s good humor from the Duke’s praise. Aunt Frances nodded her head absentmindedly, having already spotted another Society matron approaching. Her aunt could not pass up an opportunity to gloat.
Charlotte slipped away toward the door to the gardens on the opposite side of the room. She needed a breath of fresh air, and wove through the elegantly dressed guests, avoiding a silken hem here and a polished men’s shoe there.
A murmur spread through the crowd before she could reach the doors to exit. She followed the gazes of those around her to the front of the ballroom.
Even from a distance, Charlotte could see the tall figure of Lord Carrington perusing the scene before him in an amused manner. Next to him, an equally imposing man stood, with silver eyes sweeping over the crowd, lips pursed and face grimaced.
Charlotte bit back a gasp.
Captain Hughes was dressed as an officer, and he was absolutely breathtaking.
The blue coat of his Royal Navy dress uniform hugged his broad shoulders, and was fashioned with two golden epaulettes. The white waistcoat underneath glowed in the candlelight and matched his form-fitting white breeches and stockings. He was every bit the imposing naval officer and exuded power. There was something about a man in uniform, and this particular specimen was magnificent.
Captain Hughes already haunted Charlotte’s thoughts, especially when she lay alone in her bed at night. How could she think of anyone else ever again?
The Captain flinched as throngs of mothers and debutantes descended upon Lord Carrington and him. He shifted on his feetuncomfortably. Instead of feeling sorry for him, Charlotte felt a different sensation.
Is this jealousy?
She was baffled. When she saw the same group of matrimonial predators around the Duke, she empathized with him, but felt no resentment. Now, she wished she was the one in front of Captain Hughes vying for his attention.
It is jealousy!
Charlotte pushed that startling conclusion aside. She had to marry the Duke of Westcliffe to save herself. There was no other choice. She turned around and hurried to the doors leading outside. She needed to escape before any other untoward thoughts entered her mind.
James felt cornered by the marriage-minded mothers and their giggling debutante daughters who encircled him. This agony was why he never wore his uniform in public. Alas, Lady Carrington had insisted, and he could not saynoto her. James tried the tactic of ignoring the young women thrust before him by looking over their heads at the crowd.
He looked down to see several mothers simultaneously tap his forearm with their fans to draw his attention. It felt as if a flock of birds had descended upon him and were pecking his arm in hopes of finding a plump worm. He clenched his teeth and used all his restraint to keep a placid look on his face while he continued to ignore them. He told himself he was scanning the guests gathered in the ballroom in order to avoid interacting with the women, which was true, but there was more. He searched for a blue-eyed beauty whose wit and intelligenceintrigued him. James knew he had no right to an earl’s daughter, but he could not stop thinking of Lady Charlotte.
There.
He saw a chestnut head making its way toward the balcony. He was not surprised to see her escape the crush of the ball. He gazed down at the women looking up expectantly at him and said in the same commanding voice he used for his sailors that brokered no argument, “You must excuse me.”
He emerged from the group then swiftly walked to the doors leading outside, the revelers parting and making way for his imposing form. He felt the eyes of thetonboring into his back but resisted the urge to turn around. Fortunately, the music started for the next dance, which provided them with a diversion and allowed James to escape.
CHAPTER EIGHT
James stepped outside and felt a stark contrast between the stuffiness of the ballroom and the cool night air. There were a few lanterns placed around the balcony, which overlooked the stately home’s gardens. At first, James did not see anyone, but as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he realized there was a shadowy figure at the far end of the terrace.
He spotted a white and sea-blue ball gown embroidered with flowers that caught the flickers of lantern light.
It was Lady Charlotte.
An almost full moon shed a hazy glow on the scene. He approached quietly, trying not to disturb her. He could see the side profile of her face as she looked out over the gardens, her hands resting on the balustrade for support. Lady Charlotte looked like an empress gazing out on her domain.
James paused…she was gorgeous.
And lonely.
