Page 56 of Why Do Earls Fall in Love?
“It’s ingenious to be sure, but I haven’t even begun on the library yet.” Charlotte shuddered. “I suspect I’ll have to throw out half the books and furnishings and scrub the place several times over, but I must have a couple of living spaces completed before I tackle such a task.” She moved on, her critical eye moving over the selection of furniture Mr. Morgan and Mr. Sanders offered in their extensive shop.
“I’m impressed with how much you’ve accomplished in such a short time,” Julia, Lady Chester, told her with a grin of approval.
“Most of the staff is willing, thank goodness. I do wish to get everything in order quickly so that I might send for my brother and sister. I miss them dreadfully. Thankfully, the new cook handled the cleaning of the kitchens. He refused to cook so much as a loaf until they had gone over the place from ceiling to floor and every shelf, pot, pan and implement in between.”
“Hunger is a great motivator,” Julia said wryly.
“Yes, and he won their devotion with the first meal he served them.” She sighed. “He won mine too, with the most flavorful roast I’ve ever tasted. He is a great believer in culinary seduction, too, and will prove to be very useful to me, I’m sure.” She was distracted, suddenly, by a set of chairs in a corner. “Oh, yes. These are perfect. The elm wood will match the table perfectly and I can have cushions sewn for the seats, perhaps in a sage colored green that will go with the new hangings.”
“Sounds like we need a trip to the linen drapers. What a trial,” Penelope teased.
“I do love a good house project,” Julia said. “But Charlotte, tell us what we truly wish to know. How goes it with Whiddon?”
“I haven’t actually seen him at all over the last two days,” she admitted.
“I’ve scarcely seen Chester either.” Julia stuck out her lip in a mock pout. “Whatever the two of them are up to, it’s keeping them busy at all hours.”
Charlotte grinned. “I have continued to implement my strategies. How effective have they been?” She shrugged. “I suppose I will learn that when next I see him.”
“I have the utmost respect for your restraint,” Penelope said in earnest. “Whiddon is stubborn and likely to shy like a nervous and irritable stallion if he gets even a hint of your goals.”
“Yes, and run as far and fast as possible, too—if you don’t mind if I continue your analogy. I must be careful. But it is time to take things a step further—and I meant to ask your help.”
“Do tell!” Julia urged.
“Well, I am excited at the idea of attending Lady Carston’s musicale this evening.”
“Are you?” Penelope made a face. “I confess, I am nervous about it. The viscountess is a tad too fond of asking personal questions, in my view. I am glad that we may attend together.”
“Well, I am a little anxious too. But it’s my first society event since we were married, and the invitation gives me hope. More importantly, it gives the three of us the opportunity to gather at our house afterward. If you would care to come? To relax and discuss the evening, perhaps?”
“And to show Whiddon that you are holding to his bargain and making a life for yourself?” Penelope asked shrewdly. “Very wise, to give him exactly what he asked for.”
“Only if he finds it is not as satisfying as he thought it would be,” Charlotte sighed.
Her friends exchanged glances. “Oh, he will come around, dear. We have no doubt.”
“So, you will both come?”
“Certainly! As long as we don’t have to take tea in the library,” Julia said with a grin.
“No worries! The front parlor is now perfectly respectable. I don’t even need to shop for furniture for that room, as I found the entire set that was meant to be in there in another part of the house.”
“Excellent. That will leave us more time for the linen drapers.”
Charlotte placed her order for the chairs, and they all left the shop together. They were walking toward Julia’s carriage and debating which fabric shop to start with when she heard her name called.
“Here you are!” It was her cousin, moving toward her with a tight smile on her face.
“Harriett,” she answered flatly.
“I called at your new home. A very brash young man told me you were furniture shopping here in Catherine Street. I thought it worth the chance to venture over and see if I could spot you.”
“Why?”
“Why? To speak to you, of course.”
“Very well, then. Speak.”
