Page 45 of The Truth about the Rogue
Her mother beamed at her, but there was no time for them to say anything more. Instead, they greeted their hosts and stepped into the ballroom, and Charlotte caught her breath at the beauty of it. There were garlands and wreaths of white roses and laurel leaves positioned all around the room, the many candelabras making the walls appear as though they were burnished gold. There were mirrors on every wall, interspersed with pieces of magnificent art, and the floor itself bore a chalked piece of art, which, from where Charlotte stood, looked to be more roses and laurel leaves, to match the arrangements on the walls. Despite her own inner turmoil, Charlotte could not help but smile at the beauty of it, at the splendor that lifted her spirits from the doldrums.
“Good evening to you all!” It was Lord Glenfield’s jovial voice that made Charlotte recognize him immediately, even with the mask that covered both of his eyes and a good deal of his forehead. “How splendid to see you here this evening. Is not this ball truly magnificent?”
He beamed at them all and Charlotte could not help but smile at his enthusiasm.
“But how did you know that this was Lillian?” Lady Morton asked as Lord Glenfield chuckled.
“Ah, because she informed me of the very mask that she was to wear, and told me that there would be a single peacock feather to the right of her head,” Lord Glenfield said, as Lady Morton smiled. “Now, Miss Hawick, might I ask you to dance? Given that we cannot use dance cards this evening, I believe I shalltry my luck and steal more than one dance from you, if I am permitted?”
His gaze went to Lady Morton, who smiled and nodded, clearly delighted with the prospect of having both daughters wed very soon. Charlotte, however, sighed softly as she watched her sister take her leave with Lord Glenfield, seeing the bright smile on Lillian’s face, and knowing that it came from a heart that was full simply because of being in Lord Glenfield’s company.
Would that I could have the same.
“My dear?” Lady Morton touched Charlotte’s arm. “What is it that troubles you so?”
Charlotte shook her head, trying to smile.
“It is nothing, Mama.”
“Tell me the truth.” Lady Morton’s expression softened. “I know that you think of Lord Kentmore. I have not pressed you on the matter, but you must be truthful with me, my dear. It is the only thing that will bring you relief from whatever it is that you have been contemplating for so long.”
Releasing a long breath, Charlotte turned her gaze to her mother.
“I have… feelings for Lord Kentmore which are not returned.”
Her mother’s smile became fixed in place.
“What do you mean, they are not returned?”
“That is what I mean.” Charlotte let out a slow breath, closing her eyes for a moment. “Mama, I have not told him of my affection, and I dare not even admit it to myself, for fear of the injury which will follow.”
“Injury?” Her mother frowned gently. “Why should you be injured?”
“Because,” Charlotte replied, tears catching in her throat, “as I have just now told you, he does not return my affections.”
Her mother tilted her head.
“Why would you say such a thing as that? What is it about him that makes you believe that there is no interest there?”
A little confused, Charlotte took a moment before she answered.
“Because he has not said any such thing to me.”
“But you have not said anything either,” her mother replied, making Charlotte’s brows furrow. “You have not told him of your interest, you have not said a word to him, but now you are concerned that he does not feel anything akin to your own heart? How can you be sure if you have not asked him?”
Charlotte closed her eyes.
“Because he is a rogue, Mama.”
“No, hewasa rogue,” her mother insisted, albeit in a tender manner. “I have seen him as he has been in your company, I have watched as a tenderness has grown in his gaze as he watches you.” She smiled and took Charlotte’s hand again. “Do not lose heart, my dear. Urge yourself to speak the truth to him, and you may be surprised by just how much is returned to you.”
Listening carefully, Charlotte took a slow breath and then let it out again, hardly daring to believe that anything her mother had said was true. Had there really been a tenderness in Lord Kentmore’s expression towards her, or had her mother simply been mistaken?
“Now, why do you not take a few minutes to compose yourself and then return to me?” Lady Morton shrugged lightly. “No one will know who you are, so it will not matter if you take a short while at the side of the ballroom to regain yourself. I will stay here.”
Charlotte nodded, not trusting her voice as a wave of emotion crashed down over her. Making her way to the side of the ballroom, where the shadows hid her a little more, she took off her mask, pulled out her handkerchief, and wiped her eyes delicately.
I am falling in love with a rogue,she thought to herself, her tears beginning to burn afresh, though Charlotte did her best to keep them back.I do not know if I can dare permit myself to believe what my mother has said.A sense of joy began to fill her, forcing her tears away and instead, replacing them with a small smile.But if there is hope, then that changes everything.
