Page 2 of The Truth about the Rogue
Charlotte, already irritated by her sister’s presence, looked up.
“It is not whether I must or not. It is whether I desire to or not.”
“And yet, youalwaysappear to desire to do so.” Lillian sighed and sat down in the chair opposite Charlotte, rolling her eyes as though Charlotte had done something wrong in choosing to read. “Must you be so dull? We shall never find husbands if you pull back from society.”
“Given that you are a year older than I, and are expected to find a husband first, I hardly think that my reading is a concern of yours,” Charlotte answered, a little hotly given her increasing frustration. “You may prefer dances and soirees and the like, but I do not.”
Her sister yawned widely and then rolled her eyes for a second time.
“You would be much better spending time out in society rather than sitting at home with a book or playing the pianoforte. I did hear Mama say that she was greatly surprised that you did not want to attend the fashionable hour yesterday.”
Charlotte scowled, setting her book aside.
“But if my mother did not see the need to force me to attend, then I am surprised thatyouthink you must speak to me about it. What difference does it make to you if I read? Why should you be concerned if I prefer to practice the pianoforte rather than wander around the park during the fashionable hour?”
“Because,” her sister replied, spreading out her hands and speaking slowly as though Charlotte was foolish in her lack of understanding, “it bears an influence upon our family. When a gentleman considers a lady, they do consider the entire family which includes you, my dear sister. If you are a quiet mouse of a creature, then the gentlemen of London might think thatIam the same, and will never consider me because of it.”
Now it was Charlotte’s turn to roll her eyes.
“I am certain that such a thing would never be, given that it is clear from the very first moment of introduction to you that you are… eager in your conversation and the like, Lillian.”
This made her sister scowl, her brow furrowing.
“Do you mean to say that I am overeager? Improper, somehow?”
Charlotte quickly shook her head, though inwardly, she considered how her sister had behaved of late. They had only attended two balls and one soiree as yet, but Lillian had been most fervent in her hopes of becoming acquainted with as many gentlemen as she could. Every time that one had drawn near, Lillian had dropped into a curtsy without so much as a word of introduction, obvious in her hope that this gentleman would then be impressed with her propriety and would come to speak with her. That, however, had not occurred. Once their mother, Viscountess Morton, had bade Lillian to stop that behavior, Lillian had then gone on to speak with far too much eagerness when new acquaintances had been made. Indeed, Charlotte had found herself feeling a little sorry for the gentlemen who hadcome to speak with them, for they had struggled to get a word in anywhere!
“I am much better in society than you shall ever be,” Lillian declared, haughtily. “I may be fervent in my desire to speak to the gentlemen and ladies of London, but it is better to be so than to hide yourself away and appear of little interest to anyone!”
Charlotte tried not to say anything in response, even though her heart twisted painfully at her sister’s description of her. To Charlotte’s mind, she was not in the least bit dull but, evidently, Lillian herself thought so. She closed her eyes for a moment as she took a long breath and then turned her attention back to her book, hearing Lillian’s huff of breath. Ignoring this, Charlotte tried to concentrate on what she was reading but the words did not seem to make sense to her. Over and over again, she read the same sentence before, finally, giving up.
“Is there a reason that you are here with me, Lillian?” she asked, pointedly, as her sister rolled one curl lightly around her finger and then released it. “Is there some reason that you are sitting with me instead of preparing yourself for afternoon calls?”
“I am ready,” Lillian answered, gesturing with her other hand toward Charlotte. “You, however, appear to have chosen one of your oldest and least interesting gowns from your wardrobe. Do you not see that yellow is a color that does not suit you? Your hair is much too fair for that. Instead, you ought to choose something that makes a gentleman notice your hair color, which then might let his gaze stray to your eyes.”
Charlotte closed her eyes.
“Lillian, please. I am quite contented in what I am wearing, I assure you.”
“But it is not suitable!”
The door opened just as Lillian finished speaking, and their mother swept into the room, her gaze going straight to Lillian.
“What is not suitable, my dear?”
Lillian gestured to Charlotte directly, one hand sweeping downwards.
“The gown she is wearing! It is not in the least bit suitable, for the gentlemen who will come to call will not think well of her at all! That color makes her appear sickly, does it not? I think that a gown of ivory, or mayhap of light blue, might do a good deal better.”
Charlotte said nothing, her gaze going to her mother, who was looking at her with what Charlotte took to be sympathy lingering in her gaze. It seemed that the Viscountess was very much aware of the difference between her daughters and was not particularly pleased with all that Lillian was saying.
“I think that Lillian, while you may be correct in suggesting that the color of gown that Charlotte wears is not ideal, given her complexion and fair curls, you have not chosen the best way to say such things,” came the reply, making Charlotte’s shoulders round just a little, somewhat disappointed that her mother was agreeing with Lillian. “Charlotte, if that is the gown that you have chosen, then you need not concern yourself with going to change into something else, even though doing so might be desirable. The afternoon calls will begin soon, we hope, and I am sure that whichever gentlemen come to call, they will not find anything to dislike about either of you.” She smiled warmly and Charlotte nodded, though her spirits continued to sink. “Lillian, I presume that you are prepared?”
“OfcourseI am, Mama,” Lillian answered, quickly. “I have spent a great deal of time preparing.”
“Very good.” Without making any further remark, Lady Morton sat down and then looked directly to Charlotte. “You will have to put your book away when the gentlemen come to call, as we hope they will.”
Charlotte nodded.
