Page 56 of Not his Marchioness
Lady Woodhaven had contacted her two days after the ball to inform her that, after much consideration, she and her friends had decided their support would be far more beneficial to Charlotte’s school than the reformists. She said the word reformist in the sort of tone one might use when one’s porridge was too salty or an apple had gone bad.
Charlotte neglected to inform her that she had been in contact with some of the reformists herself and that they had rejected her ideas.
Why, she did not know as of yet, but she had to assume it had to do with a certain husband and his reputation.
What a shame. She had been looking forward to working with women of a more rebellious spirit. In her head, they’d engaged in wonderfully spirited conversations about reforms, education, and the work of Miss Wollstonecraft.
Now, she had to make do with the sternest, highest in the instep ladies of the ton.
The things one does to achieve one’s dreams…
Today, Lady Woodhaven had presented herself with all manner of documentation, ideas, and plans. It had been such a startling shift from the last time the woman had graced her drawing room that Charlotte hadn’t known what to say at first.
Indeed, she had expected she would wake up at any moment, utterly disappointed because she would find that she had dreamt it all. But she hadn’t.
Throughout the day, Lady Woodhaven had treated her as though she had genuine merit, not as the foolish girl she had deemed her during their last meeting.
Charlotte hadn’t been able to make sense of it until it occurred to her that this was all due to Rhys’s conversation with Lord Woodhaven.
Rhys had a way about him. He could be charming. He could draw people in. It was what he did. What he had always done. He had employed the same charm that could charm the cyprians at St. Giles on Lord Woodhaven. It was a gift, truly.
Yet sometimes she felt it was also a curse. At least for the people who cared for him, for how could you ever know if Rhys was genuine, or if his words were true? Perhaps he was only deploying his charm offensive once more to get what he wanted?
Her thoughts wandered back to the kiss, her lips tingling gently. They hadn’t spoken much since. They each kept their distance, although the conversations they had were cordial. She couldn’t deny that there were times when she wished that things were different. She wished that she could walk into his study and talk to him. Invite him into the library again to discuss some more scandalous books. But it wasn’t to be.
“Your husband most certainly convinced my husband that this was the finest idea he had heard in a very long time. He certainly has skill, that husband of yours.”
“He does,” she agreed. “That cannot be denied.”
Lady Woodhaven paused. “I feel it is my duty to say that usually my friends and I would not keep company with a young lady with a reputation as colorful as yours.”
Charlotte stiffened. She had been well aware of that without Lady Woodhaven telling her so.
The older woman looked up, tilting her head to the side. “But sometimes a little unusual thinking can be just what we need.”
“I am aware that you find me somewhat rebellious.”
Lady Woodhaven chuckled. “Somewhat? My dear, one hundred years ago, if you had appeared in anyone’s ballroom dressed as Lucifer himself and made an announcement as you did, you would have most likely been flogged. But these are different times.”
She lowered her voice. “And truthfully, since our first meeting, I have made some inquiries, and I must say that I find your father’s behavior reprehensible. I heard about what he did to your sister, and I could not believe he had attempted to do the same with you.”
She looked surprised, contemplating Charlotte in her own peculiar way. It certainly sounded like it.
“I felt I could not go quietly into a future that was going to make me utterly miserable,” Charlotte admitted.
The older woman nodded. “That I can understand. As long as you are certain that it was the right decision, then we shall not speak on the matter any further. Now, venture forth and find a suitable location. Tell me the price, and we will see what can be done.”
Charlotte saw Lady Woodhaven out. As soon as the front door closed, she exhaled sharply, her shoulders dropping. She would finally have her school.
She walked back, then up the stairs to her chamber, when she spotted Rhys down the hall. What he was doing could not be called walking because he was swaying his hips as though he were dancing, his arms moving in a rhythm that conveyed the ease he felt.
“I trust your meeting went well?” he asked.
“It did,” she replied, and glanced at his hand. The bandage he had been wearing for the last few days was gone. “I see your hand is improved?”
“It is,” he said and raised it. “It took a while, but it is better.”
“You must take care in the future,” she cautioned. “An injury like that can get very bad if an infection sets in.”
