“Good.”
“Good,” she jeered back.
“Char—“
Mary Ann cleared her throat, interrupting his rebuttal. She leaned in close to their argument, shooting a decisive look her husband's way that told him that he knew better.
“I do not recall the invitations including children,” she said. “So stop acting as such.” Delighted by all the admonishment her brother was getting, Charlotte lifted her head slightly to gloat. It wasn’t long until Mary Ann directed the same scathing look her way. She frowned, making an ugly face at her brother when their critic looked away from her.
He didn’t make a face, but Charlotte could tell in his dark eyes that he really didn’t appreciate her taking the last metaphorical word.
Once they were released, Benedict fell back in line with her and they quietly observed the dance floor. If either of them had anything rotten to say to the other, then it was best kept under wraps so as to avoid the ire of Mary Ann. She was positively bothersome, which is how Charlotte had always known she’d make a fantastic mother.
“Oh, my,” Charlotte smiled as her gaze settled on Lord Gouldsmith, a well-known rake. He was indeed very honeyed, his bed attracting an astonishing number of thetoninto his grasp. It was very easy for a young lady to fall for a handsome face, but Charlotte likened herself to be completely immune to such charms.
That is, until she noticed the man shooting him a stern look. His gaze was so intense, it caused Charlotte to choke back a laugh. Benedict glanced at her warily, but couldn’t tell what had made her laugh, a sentiment that seemed all the more distressing.
The man that stood opposite Lord Gouldsmith was perhaps the most handsome man that Charlotte had ever laid her eyes on. He was tall, broad-shouldered, his brown hair softly coiled and his brown eyes intense and unfaltering. She was immune to the charms of marriage, but that didn’t mean that she was immune to the other charms a man might possess. It was best though to never get entangled in such matters. Even a fleeting look was an invitation too far to these louts.
The young lady was positively simpering under Lord Gouldsmith’s gaze. Beside her and the handsome man stood a woman so divinely similar in countenance that Charlotte could only assume she was the lady’s mother. She didn’t seem aware of the rumors either. Lord Gouldsmith had a penchant for attracting the attention of debutantes who were unaware of his desires.
“Is that…oh goodness, thatisLady Catherine.” Charlotte turned to offer a mischievous grin at her siblings. “I simply must offer my greetings.”
Charlotte began walking away, but after a few steps, it became clear that her siblings were aware that her attentions were turned elsewhere.
“Oh no,” Arabella whispered.
“Come back this instant!” Benedict had tried to whisper, but Charlotte was too far away nor did she care to take any heed whatsoever.
She had to rescue this poor debutante. It was her duty.
* * *
It had been a while since William had been surrounded by theton. It had been best that way because now that he was back, he had noticed well-meaning, yet patronizing looks that were thrown his way. William didn’t like a lot of things, but most of all he hated pity. The thought that someone might think less of him because of what happened burned. Maybe if it were his choice, then perhaps he wouldn’t feel such shame with each passing look. It wasn’t though. None of this was his doing and that made it feel all the more pathetic.
William brushed off the looks and returned his attention to his younger sister Lavinia. She was debuting this season and as excited as could possibly be. Despite marriage being wrought with complications and anguish, she still retained such naivete and elation. Maybe she didn’t know better or maybe she was just luckier than he was. Her dream was to marry well and so it was his dream to help her make such a match happen.
“Do you know him?” Lavinia turned her attention towards a man walking their way.
William sighed. “Ah.” It was all he could say because he was surprised to see his acquaintance from college, Arthur, who was the Earl of Gouldsmith. Of course, he didn’t want his sister to marry down in rank, but he especially didn’t want his sister marrying someone with such bad intentions. In fact, it wasn’t his plan to marry. Lord Gouldsmith was attracted to all the benefits of marriage without making a commitment. Every season he vied for the debutantes. This was, however, bold of him, considering how well William knew of him. “Good evening,” William said to his acquaintance. “It has been some time since I last saw you.”
“My condolences,” Arthur said, turning back to William. “I heard of the news of your broken engagement. I truly thought Miss Dawkes and you were meant to be.”
William narrowed his brows, annoyed at the way he had phrased it, and even more annoyed that he brought it up. His mother shot him a sympathetic look. Everyone around him thought he was broken, and it was mortifying, considering that he felt just as bad.
William couldn’t help but grit his teeth before flashing an unbothered smile. “And you? Have you had better luck securing a betrothed?”
Arthur laughed lightly, shaking his head, but the hungry gaze he budgeted for Lavinia was painfully obvious. She seemed at least curious, and he couldn’t blame her. He appeared to be a perfect gentleman. He turned back, looking expectantly at William. He desired an introduction, but William was in no mood to be accommodating. He placed his hands behind his back, widened his stance, and attempted to make his boundaries clear.
Arthur bowed. “Your son has always sought to vex me since our college days,” he nodded, regarding William’s mother. “Allow me to take the liberty of introducing myself. I am Arthur, Earl of Gouldsmith.”
She smiled and curtsied. “Pleasure to meet you. And since my son is too inflexible to be of assistance, allow me to introduce my eldest daughter, Lady Lavinia Humphries.”
His sister bowed, holding up her wrist. Arthur kissed it, his lips lingering a moment longer than desirable.
“I must reserve a dance with you. You are positively bewitching.” His smile looked genuine, his eyes glittering with sincerity. He was telling the truth, but that was not what William was worried about.
Lavinia blushed, shaking her wrist as demurely as possible to bring his attention to the dance card that hung like an ornament on a tree. He smirked, penning his name in the booklet and gently brushing her inner wrist when he released her hand.