Page 22 of Wager on Love

“Is that so? Do you mean to say that the lady has managed to make a favorable impression on you, Ashbrooke?” Lord Henderson wondered curiously.

“Why would you sound so surprised by that?” Sir John asked quickly, covering his momentary confusion at the observation. “Did you not intend to pair me with a woman that I would think of favorably?”

“Well of course, but you must admit that you do not seem to have a favorable opinion of the fair sex in general.”

“Oh, this again? I do notdislikewomen. I simply think they are foolishly led by their hearts to a greater extent than men. It happens that I find Lady Charlotte to be both charming and beautiful.” He had once thought that was all the qualifications a wife should have, but now Lady Charlotte’s delightful sweetness enthralled him. He found that he wanted to protect that joyful naiveté rather than exploit it. An irritating voice within his mind said that marrying her for financial gain was certainly an exploitation. A sense of unease filled him at the thought, but he pushed it away.

“She is a sensitive soul,” he said thinking of her thoughtful comments at the opera last night. “And intelligent as well,” he added. “I am more than pleased at the prospect of having her for my wife. It is a credit to her intellect that she is not the sort of person who would respond favorably to such false approaches as have been suggested.”

“Well, gentlemen, let us leave the self-proclaimed expert to his work,” Lord Henderson said.

“I would greatly appreciate it if you would,” Sir John replied. He had already begun to cross the room to where Charlotte was conversing with several other young ladies.

As Lady Charlotte’s soft laughter floated to John’s ears, he smiled brightly. He wanted to know what had amused her so he might share her delight. She had a wonderful laugh. It lit up the room.

* * *

Charlotte felther heart lift deliciously when she noticed Sir John Ashbrooke approach. She accepted his offer of a dance as demurely as she was able, which still left her companions in a little flurry of titters and whispers.

“I did not know if you would ask me to dance at all this evening, Sir John,” she murmured as they took their places among the other partners. “You seemed so absorbed in conversation with your friends.”

He smiled that she had noticed his arrival, but of course that was the plan. It was working perfectly, so why did he feel like such a cad? He shoved away the thought. He would be a good husband, he told himself. He would support her and provide for her. He would care for her and see to her comfort.He knew his duty.Hadn’t he done the same for his mother in the years since his father’s death?

For his part, John felt he could hardly take his eyes from the lady. He was unnaturally rapt. Never had a woman unbalanced him so. He told himself the focus of his attention was only to be better able to win the heart of the lady herself.

“Even the best of friends can hardly compete for my attention just now, I fear. As a matter of fact, they were scolding me for my abstraction, and telling me that I am bound to displease you with my persistent attempts to find myself in your presence,” Sir John confessed, with a shamefaced air.

“I can assure you that that is not the case, no matter how well intentioned their advice may be,” Lady Charlotte said quickly, with a dazzling smile. “I greatly enjoy your company,” she said softly and then looked down as if she realized how brazenly forward the words were, but John smiled at the admission. He liked that she could express herself so fully and completely.

Lud, her smile was beautiful. It tilted upwards ever so slightly on the left side promising just the slightest bit of mischief, and her lips. Sweet heavens, her lips. When her tiny tongue darted out to moisten them, he was undone.

Sir John was so completely distracted by her in that moment, he lost the gist of the conversation entirely, thinking instead how warm and enjoyable her presence was, how much more enjoyable she would be held in his arms. He gave himself a mental shake.

“I apologize. I fear Iamfinding it most difficult to keep away from you, Lady Charlotte,” he breathed. He found that he spoke the truth.

“I do not see that there is anything for which to apologize, Sir John,” she replied just as breathily. “If you enjoy my company, what sense would it make to stay away?”

“My thoughts precisely.” Sir John replied with a wicked smile that answered her own.

“Besides,” Lady Charlotte continued. “I can tell you with great certainty that my mother would not have invited you to call upon us if she had not meant the invitation with every sincerity.”

“So, it is your mother who wishes me to call?” He teased.

Rather than blushing, Lady Charlotte met his eyes directly. Once again he was struck by their color. They were the most startling shade of polished amber, bubbling with flecks of gold.

“My mother is a woman who speaks her mind at nearly all occasions,” Lady Charlotte said. “A trait that runs in our family.”

“An admirable trait,” he replied. “I envy that quality,” Sir John said. “I find that sometimes it is most difficult to speak my thoughts honestly and properly, particularly if they mean a great deal to me.”

That, John realized with some surprise, was perfectly true and not something he was saying merely to woo Lady Charlotte. He had a great many thoughts and opinions that he never voiced to anyone, finding it easier to say only superficial things that would not invite further questions or confidences. He had good reason, he reminded himself, but it seemed odd to find himself speaking so vulnerably to the woman he was attempting to entice.

Entice, but do not deceive, he told himself, and yet if she knew the whole truth, he was sure she would have nothing to do with him. He was not a villain, merely someone in dire straits taking the most expedient route to resolve the problem. Lady Charlotte would be content as his wife, after all. He would see to her happiness, if only to always see that brilliant smile upon her lips. He wanted to make her smile.

“Sir John, you look so pensive and troubled just now, I believe you must have a great many things that you find difficult to communicate,” Charlotte said gently, interrupting his inner reflection.

“Indeed, Lady Charlotte. But of course, this is hardly the time or the place for me to begin airing them, or else I should make you a very poor dance partner.”

“Perhaps you are right, but I hope you will feel you are able to confide in me sooner or later,” she said with a reassuring smile.

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