Page 49 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
“I assumed from Lady Julia’s behavior he must be,” Louisa replied wryly. “The woman is desperate to catch the baron.”
William alighted from the coach and assisted the ladies from the conveyance. A liveried footman stood, superfluous, holding the coach door open.
Once their party entered the house, another footman took their outerwear before escorting them to a long, brightly lit drawing room. A crystal chandelier overhead held numerous wax candles, further displaying the wealth of the family.
“Lady Charlotte!” Miss Tilford, clad in a pale yellow gown, was quickly by her side. “It is lovely to see you again.” She nodded to the rest of their group. “Good evening Lady Edith, Lady Louisa. And this must be Lord Beaumont.”
William bowed, smiled softly, and said deliberately, “I thank you for including me in your invitation, Miss Tilford. You are as kind as you are lovely.”
Alicia’s cheeks turned pink. She returned his smile and replied, “It is you who are kind, Lord Beaumont. Come along and let me introduce you to the rest of my guests.”
Charlotte was delighted to see her brother behave less uncertainly in his greeting to their hostess than she’d expected.
Her gaze had already found Lord Ashford. His back was to her, thank heavens. She guessed he might attend the card party. Not quite sure what her feelings were about seeing the marquess again, she needed a moment to compose herself before greeting him.
Alicia walked to stand near Lady Julia and four guests Charlotte had never seen before. “Lord William Beaumont, Ladies Charlotte, Edith, and Louisa, may I present my dear friend Lady Julia, Lord Meers, our neighbors Lord and Lady Ely, and their son Mr. Harrington.”
The Ely’s, their son, and Lord Meers greeted everyone pleasantly enough, while Julia looked as uninterested as ever upon seeing Charlotte and her friends again.
After a few minutes of polite conversation, Alicia led Charlotte’s party to where Lord Ashford stood talking to Nathaniel and the handsome gentleman from Lady Cairs’ ball.
Charlotte swore she heard indrawn breaths from both Edith and Louisa as they approached the unknown gentleman.
“Nathaniel, you have yet to meet Lady Edith. Everything has conspired until now for you two not to meet. Lord Ashford, I think you are acquainted with the ladies and the gentleman.” Alicia paused. “I don’t believe Lord Cecil Wycliffe has had the pleasure of meeting any of your party, Lady Charlotte.”
Charlotte thought Lord Wycliffe was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was polite in his greeting, yet aloof. Nathaniel was pleasant to everyone as she expected. And Lord Ashford? He appeared not at all upset or irritated with her, but perhaps that was merely a result of good breeding.
The marquess’s dark hair fell in waves over his forehead, lending him a rakish air. The dark blue of his coat was a perfect foil for his cobalt eyes, and she reluctantly tore her gaze from his elegant figure.
“Shall we find some refreshments, Lady Charlotte?” Alicia asked brightly.
“Oh yes, please,” she replied quickly and took the girl’s arm in her own. “I should dearly love some ratafia if you have it.”
“Of course.” Alicia drew Charlotte away to the Japanned low drinks table in the room.
“The card tables are set up in another room?” she asked her hostess, relieved to put some distance between herself and Lord Ashford. The man was too often in her thoughts.
“In the smaller drawing room next door.” Alicia added in a whisper, “The Ely’s brought along Lord Meers to even up the numbers. I’m afraid he and Lord Ashford do not get along.”
Charlotte was intrigued. “Lord Meers seems pleasant enough.” The man looked to be a full ten years her senior, neither attractive nor ugly.
“There is some minor scandal attached to his family. I’ve forgotten what it was about, but Lord Ashford never forgets these things. He is mindful of whom he spends time with as he does not wish to tarnish his family name.”
Charlotte didn’t have much time to reflect on Alicia’s words as their hostess called everyone to proceed to the next room and the card tables. The game for the night would be Whist, a card game for two teams of two players.
The smaller drawing room was no less elegant than the larger one. Burgundy draperies matched the plush chairs surrounding mahogany and cross banded Kingwood card tables. Along with another crystal chandelier, candles blazed in candelabras on the fireplace mantel.
She approached a table where Nathaniel had already taken a seat. Lady Julia rushed to the table as Lord Meers joined them. Charlotte took the remaining seat.
“We play until one team at each table reaches five points,” Alicia announced. “When that occurs, there will be a break until all three tables have reached five points. The lowest card pulled at that time moves to the next table. And so on and so on.”
Play began. Julia obviously wanted to pair up with Nathaniel, so Charlotte good-naturedly paired up with Lord Meers. They played well together but couldn’t beat Lady Julia. The lady was a fierce competitor, and Charlotte was glad to see Julia pull the low card at the end of the game.
Charlotte stood up and stretched her arms in front of her. She felt a prickle at the base of her neck. When she turned her head, Lord Ashford was watching her. She nodded briefly before turning to Lord Meers, who was addressing her.
“Perhaps you would care for a glass of sherry?”
“I would, thank you.” She took the man’s arm, and he escorted her to the other room and the drinks tray.
