Page 66 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
William was to be her escort to the ball that evening, as her parents had a prior engagement. Louisa and Edith would be chaperoned by one of Louisa’s brothers.
It had been four days since she’d returned to Thorne’s.
“There is no longer any danger of the library closing,” Mr. Thorne told her just that afternoon. “Lord Ashford assures me any threat to Thorne’s has passed and our trade has increased tenfold thanks to you and your friends.”
She was happy she’d had some part in keeping Thorne’s open. Edith and Louisa had been careful not to mention Lord Ashford to her since their treat at Gunter’s Tea Shop.
Charlotte had neither seen nor heard anything more about the marquess or James Landry.
The lending library was safe; Lord Ashford was out of her life. In a few days, she hoped to feel more like her usual self. William had matured considerably in the last sennight and had even shown interest in learning about running the estate in Kent.
Charlotte had good friends and a loving family. She should feel content, but all she really felt was lost. Her days were not as pleasant as they had been, and she was very much afraid she knew the reason why.
Chapter Twenty-One
Charlotte assumed Lord Ashford would not be attending the duke’s ball. Nonetheless, she was disappointed to not spy his handsome face among the couples dancing in the ballroom. She had no shortage of dance partners that evening, perhaps because of the gossip surrounding herself and Lord Ashford. She’d danced a set with William before Lord Meers approached her, refreshments in hand.
“You look like you could do with some refreshment,” he said, passing her a glass of ratafia.
“Thank you,” she said with a grateful smile. “It is rather stuffy in here.”
William nodded to the viscount. “Excuse me. I see a friend I must speak with.”
Charlotte doubted her brother had seen a friend across the ballroom. He merely wanted to leave her alone with a possible suitor.
After a few sips of his drink, Lord Meers asked her to dance, placing their glasses on a nearby table. Charlotte took his extended arm, and he escorted her to the dance floor.
“You seem distracted this evening,” she said to her partner as they turned together in a country dance. Louisa had told her about the viscount’s recently deceased father and the man’s penchant for gambling. It was rumored the new viscount was nearly destitute.
“Lady Charlotte, you are the most intuitive of young women.” Lord Meers released a long sigh. “Yes, my troubles are many. I shall not bore you with my tale of woe.”
“If I can help by listening, I am happy to do so.” Perhaps hearing about Lord Meers’ difficulties would distract her from her own.
They were now dancing ever closer to an open pair of French doors. The viscount slowed their dancing to a halt and released her. He rubbed his temples with one gloved hand and frowned. “I think I should like some fresh air. Do excuse me. I will be but a moment.”
The viscount slipped out of the open doors. She looked about, seeing no other dancers nearby. Charlotte would wait a few minutes for Lord Meers to return before seeking out Edith and Louisa. She heard a shout from outside, followed by a yelp of pain. The noises sounded as if they were made by the viscount. Unsure of what to do, she stood listening, now only hearing silence beyond the French doors.
Charlotte took a few steps outside into the near darkness. While the front of the house was ablaze with several lanterns, there were only a few placed about the gardens behind the duke’s townhouse.
“Lord Meers, are you here? Are you all right?”
She was now standing at the edge of the terrace, squinting into the darkness for any sign of the gentleman. There was a rustling in the shrubbery to her right at the bottom of the set of steps that led to the garden. She walked toward the bushes and whispered, “Are you there, Lord Meers?”
There were soft footsteps behind her. As Charlotte turned, a cloth was put over her mouth. She struggled to be free, catching a glimpse of a tall, hooded figure.
“Hold still now, or I’ll snap your neck.” The man had one hand over her mouth, the other like a vise across her chest, holding her tightly against him.
The low, raspy voice sent a chill down her spine. She suddenly felt sleepy. To her mortification, she felt herself go limp. Charlotte labored to keep her eyes open, but she drifted away into unconsciousness.
* * * * *
“I can’t remember a season where you attended so many entertainments,” Nathaniel said dryly from his place standing beside Ashford at the Duke of Norfolk’s ball. “Could it be you’re looking for a particular lady this evening?”
“The duke is my godfather,” he replied with a shrug. “My mother asked me to put in an appearance this evening.”
“You aren’t as immune to Lady Charlotte’s charms as you would lead me to believe.” Nathaniel paused. “The lady may have made a few mistakes, Ashford. Haven’t we all? Don’t let your pride get in the way of your happiness.”
Nathaniel was right. He was smitten with the lady.
