Page 51 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
Soon after, he overheard Lord Meers say he had pulled the low card at his table.
His own game was over. Ashford pulled a card. Very quickly, Cecil put his own card back in the deck.
“You have the low card,” his friend said with a twist of his lips.
Ashford was sure Cecil had orchestrated his move to Charlotte’s table. He didn’t think his friend was a romantic. Did the viscount merely wish to cause trouble?
The ladies chose this break to disappear to a retiring room. When the game resumed, he found himself partnered with Lady Louisa rather than Lady Charlotte.
“Lord Harbury is an indifferent player,” Lady Louisa said without apology. “I should like to win this game.”
Lady Louisa was indeed as competitive as Cecil and Lady Julia. Despite his being distracted by Charlotte’s perfume and seductively husky voice, his team beat Nathaniel and Charlotte soundly.
The lady didn’t have much to say to him during their game. He tried to catch her gaze several times to no avail. Had the young woman already formed a tendre for Lord Meers? Surely not. Lady Charlotte was too intelligent to fall for the charms of a fortune hunter.
* * * * *
The next break allowed for a late supper in the drawing room where three drop-leaf mahogany Pembroke tables were clustered together and covered with silver platters filled with cold meat, cheese, crusty rolls, and a tureen of Soup a la Flamond. Charlotte assembled two ham sandwiches on a plate and moved to sit on a sopha next to Edith.
As she ate her sandwiches with a knife and fork, Charlotte looked around her, admiring the elegant room. No wonder Lady Julia was interested in the baron. The man appeared to be as rich as Croesus. She caught Lord Ashford’s gaze. He was standing across the room but now made his way toward where she and Edith were seated. As he approached, Edith got to her feet.
“Excuse me, Lord Ashford,” Edith said politely. “I’m going to congratulate our hostess on her delicious supper.”
Lord Ashford bowed, and Edith walked away. The marquess took a seat next to Charlotte on the now very small sopha. She swallowed, willing herself to behave normally, although every nerve in her body sprang to life when the marquess was near. His spicy cologne and gorgeous eyes were an intoxicating combination.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Charlotte?” Ashford asked her, his gaze on her face.
“I’m not particularly fond of Whist, but I enjoy the company,” she replied coolly. Now that she had the opportunity to apologize, she felt reluctant to do so. She’d spent far too much time telling herself this season she was happy with herself. She would not be judged by him.
“Yes, the company is quite varied this evening,” he replied easily, his gaze darting to Lord Meers.
Charlotte looked down at her nearly empty porcelain plate. “How is the sweet little Chloe?”
“As spoiled as ever.” He added quietly, “You were right to speak to me about Diana.”
“Miss Tilford tells me the reputation of your family is very important to you,” she replied, looking up but not quite meeting his eyes.
“It is.”
Charlotte moved her gaze to a spot over his shoulder. “I wonder my brother was allowed in this house.” So much for the apology she wanted to make. Lord Ashford’s company had the strangest effect on her. Her usual sweet nature was sorely tested by being smitten with a man who did not approve of her.
“That wasn’t up to me,” he said gently.
“And if it had been?” Her question sounded like the challenge it was, and Charlotte looked at him then.
“Your brother has told the truth. He wanted to make amends as best he could.” The marquess paused. “I acknowledge the behavior of my sister hasn’t always been appropriate. She is an unhappy young woman and wishes to punish the world.”
Before she could think of a reply, Lord Meers approached the sopha and held out his arm to her. “Shall we go in for the next round?”
“Yes, of course.” She stood up hurriedly, plate in one hand. “Good luck with your next game, Lord Ashford.”
Charlotte walked away, wishing the marquess had had more time to tell her about his sister. Frustratingly, neither one of them had apologized.
Too bad she wasn’t in the least attracted to Lord Meers. Louisa had confided to her that the viscount was a desperate fortune hunter. She didn’t imagine he would judge her or her family.
She must think of something or someone else other than Lord Ashford. Looking about, she noticed Lady Julia had cornered Lord Harbury yet again. The woman might be beautiful, but her manners were not. Charlotte would trust that Nathaniel was as intelligent as he was kind and would see the lady for the grasping harpy she was.
Chapter Seventeen
