“My husband,” Arabella corrected her. “I would only go with my husband.”
With that, the conversation died. Once they returned home, Arabella marched up to her bedroom and snuffed out the light. At that, Charlotte couldn’t help but worry if this was all her fault. She had talked a lot about men and how untrustworthy they were. There were many times she had wondered aloud how deserving they could even be. Maybe she had ruined her sister’s greatest chance of happiness due to her own pessimism.
That seemed entirely cruel, now that William was proving her wrong about everything she had believed to know was true.
ChapterNine
“Iam your mother, true,” Regina began. “But today, I am your friend. I will let you in on the greatest trick that women such as us have at our disposals, my dear. If you wish to show a man how truly scornful you are, then it is best to wear a dress that makes it impossible for him to forget you.” Regina smiled wickedly, obviously proud of the way Arabella looked in her ethereal white gown with embroidered sleeves that dripped with diamonds and pearls.
“Mama,” Charlotte said. “Do you really think Lord Stanton was terribly out of line? Or perhaps just impassioned?”
Regina drew back. “Are you keen to run away with a man you have hardly met?” She shook her head. “Today you shrug off some travel and tomorrow you run off to Gretna Green with a man you are not properly suited for. It is a slippery slope, dear. If he thinks it fair to say such things now, then he lacks the respect a diamond such as your sister deserves.” She paused, spinning her finger, prompting Arabella to spin around. “Really, Charlotte. You used to be the one to be so ornery. Courting has made you soft.”
“No,” Charlotte laughed. “No, no, not soft. I am still very much as brash as I used to be. It simply stands that the Marquess of Holdford has proven himself to be trustworthy and so if he has promised that Lord Stanton is a good man, then I must believe him.”
Regina clicked her tongue. “Charlotte, dear. It is very sweet how much this man has shadowed your heart. I hate to encourage your old ways, but you must be a little more skeptical. Lord Holdford is a good man, but do not play all your cards in the first round. We have a whole season ahead of us. Your sister has much time to find the perfect match.”
“I will not settle!” Her voice was determined and yet hesitant all at the same time as if even she doubted her own convictions.
“He has notshadowed my heart. I find that insulting. I am as pessimistic as ever. Do not doubt that.” After she had said as much though, the thought crossed her mind that it shouldn’t have been a badge of honor as she had made it out to be. Plenty of smart people were optimistic. Charlotte had never interpreted it as a sign of weakness until she herself was the one wearing it. Maybe the truth was that she feared being a fool or being taken advantage of when she had imagined herself to be more intelligent than most.
Arabella spun around in front of the mirror, looking herself head-to-toe. She ran her hands over the sides of her figure, admiring the way she looked—almost like a statue—in her new gown.
Charlotte again was dressed as the plainer sister. It was no fault of Regina or Arabella. Charlotte had, after all, picked the very plain light pink dress that she was wearing. At first she liked the way it drew attention from her, but now thinking of how William would react to seeing her dressed in something much more stunning made her regretful. Now, standing next to Arabella’s beauty, Charlotte looked like a much younger sister. Suddenly it was as if everything had flipped on its head. Arabella seemed as callous as Charlotte used to be.
Her family was right. She had grown accustomed to William’s charms. He was making her believe in things she couldn’t prove to be real. When had a man proven himself to be worthy of such trust, especially when he had not kissed her just once, but twice and in a way that only a husband shall kiss his wife? If she had let him take advantage of her, then she had enjoyed it just as much. For a woman who dreamed of marriage though, such things were far from proper.
Pounding footsteps rattled the China in the cabinet. Timothy ran into the room, Mary Ann trailing behind him. He ran up to Arabella and lifting his arms, beckoning her to pick him up. She brought him into her arms. She looked even more beautiful holding a child. It was very clear to most everyone that not many women were as well suited for motherhood as she. A big family was one of her most cherished dreams.
“You look sad,” Timothy said.
“Oh, sweet boy,” she cooed. “You are very empathetic.”
He handed her his stuffed rabbit toy. She picked it up and looked at the soft plush. Its brown fur was matted, and button eyes of different sizes were fixed to its face. It was cute, although a bit cursed, but Timothy hardly went anywhere without it. “Sir Gawain is good at making me smile,” he said. His rabbit was indeed named after one of King Arthur’s knights. The boy was merely five years old and already quite knowledgeable of mythology. He was bound to be brilliant one day. Charlotte liked to believe he would end up taking on writing as a hobby. He was an imaginative boy.
“Well then,” Arabella smiled. “I should be so lucky to find a Sir Gawain of my own this season, do you not you think?”
Timothy frowned. “Auntie,” he sighed. “You cannot marry a rabbit.”
She laughed, wrapping her arms tightly around him and burying her nose in his hair.“Of course,” she said. “You are absolutely right. I must set my ambitions much higher than a simple knight. Perhaps a king?”
“That would make you a queen,” Timothy pointed out.
“Exactly!” Arabella pinched his cheek and he grimaced. From the look of him, he didn’t seem to think that was a good idea. If he was thinking such a thing, however, he bit his tongue. Even he knew that there was no use depressing a woman who was already sad enough.
The boy was five, yes, but his parents raised him to be as realistic as they were. He was well-aware that queenship was ridiculously out of reach for the Elkins sisters. They enjoyed a nice status, but it would never be that nice. That was plainly a fairytale. Even true love was a lot to hope for.
“Timothy.” Mary Ann stepped into the parlor and crossed her arms. “Is it coincidence that your Governess fixes you a bath and you are out the door? Come here this instant.” Arabella set him on the floor and Charlotte reached out to ruffle his hair as he passed by. It was greasy, showing that his bath was much needed. He looked a bit like a criminal being hauled off by his mother. Mary Ann looked over her shoulder. “I promise, I will be right down!”
Regina took a moment to admire her girls. She smiled, clasping her hands together. “It is time to leave. Are you ready?”
Arabella responded with a slight drop in her shoulders. She then tucked her head into a decisive nod. Charlotte reached out and squeezed her sister’s hand. If she believed Lord Stanton was not the right choice, then Charlotte had to believe her as well. Today was the first garden party of the season. There was plenty a chance to find Arabella a new suitor while still leaving some time for William.
* * *
Across the garden, by a large weeping willow tree, William stood beside Lord Stanton. Once his eyes locked with Charlotte, he smiled, then turned back to his friend. Beautiful lanterns were strung up in the trees, setting the late afternoon aglow. It was the most golden hour of the day and the way the light fell across William’s strong shoulders made Charlotte feel a little hot already.
“Arabella,” she asked. “Would you like to at least hear Lord Stanton out?”