“I love you,” Charlotte reminded him.
“And I you,” he said.
* * *
When Charlotte returned downstairs, nothing seemed to be different. The ball had continued and Benedict was too deep in conversation with William’s father to pay her whereabouts any attention. William approached her as the song turned over, and although she tried to regard him as though she hadn’t seen him in some time, she couldn’t hide her knowing smile.
He pulled her onto the dance floor, close to Arabella and Lord Stanton who were having their second dance of the evening. William reached out, a hand in Charlotte’s and another one steadying her back. They began to box step in rhythm with the music.
“How soon do you think we can realistically be married?” he asked.
Charlotte thought about it, pushing her tongue into her cheek. “A couple of weeks,” she asked. “If we marry any sooner they will start to assume things and you, Lord Holdford, are not a rake.”
“No, I am not,” he said, smothering a smile.
“No, no, of course not,” she said. Charlotte looked to their side and locked eyes with her sister. Arabella looked anxiously between her and William, but eventually decided she was better off paying attention to Lord Stanton, who looked incredibly happy.
“Thank you,” William said. “For fixing that.”
Charlotte shrugged. “They seem happier together than they did apart. And I really want my sister to marry handsome because otherwise I might feel incredibly guilty. It is all self-serving.”
“I do not think that is even remotely true.”
Charlotte smiled. Wives had to be at least a little good at lying to their husbands, but William was better at calling her bluff. Maybe it was good to not have secrets. Trust seemed like a proper foundation for a marriage, anyway. Charlotte would miss the thrill of sneaking around a fair amount once they married, but perhaps he might play along.
And so they danced, holding each other close until the music ended, and they were forced to part. They returned to the side of the dance floor, gathering their families together. Benedict offered William a stern look, but even Charlotte could tell that he was secretly relieved that things had taken the turn that they did. Unlike her father, Benedict had always wished for Charlotte to marry. Then, he could be assured that she would be well-taken care of and have a good life. Plus, he already had a notion that Charlotte’s children would be the most ill-mannered of the generation, and he had always been eager to find out if he was right.
“Father, mother,” he bowed at his parents. “Meet Lady Charlotte Elkins.”
Charlotte attempted to curtsy as gracefully as she could. She had met William’s sister and mother several weeks prior, but she had not yet met his father. The Duke of Seton was a very serious man, completely unlike his son. He was tall, rigid, and elegant. His left eyebrow arched high up on his face making him look like he was always doubting something, and yet when he opened his mouth, he was very cordial.
Benedict reached his hand out and William introduced him to his parents. Charlotte’s mother was delighted to see William again and even more delighted to make the Duchess of Seton’s acquaintance. Although they spoke quietly, every so often they would stop to laugh, which made Charlotte feel like the laughter was at everyone else’s expense.
“What a lovely estate,” the Duke of Seton said.
“Thank you,” Benedict bowed. “It has been in the family for quiet some time, although I hope to leave it better than I found it.”
“Very noble,” he replied. “It is endless work.”
“Father, the estate looks wonderful, it does not need any work.” William reminded him.
His father shook his head. “There is always work to be done.”
Benedict rolled his eyes. “Bachelors never understand the endless responsibilities of owning an estate.” Charlotte tried to stifle a laugh. Benedict had always been one to posture around men who were better connected than he. It was sort of pathetic the way he was mooning over William’s father.
When Lavinia saw Charlotte with William, she moved across the group to stand next to them. “I thought you were going to wait until I was married,” she teased him.
William sighed. “Yes well, maybe you are right about needing a good example,” he said. He glanced at Charlotte. “The Duke of Holton is courting her.”
“He is very quiet,” Charlotte said. “Are you happy?”
“Thrilled,” Lavinia assured her. “The mystery of what is on his mind is so captivating to me.”
“Ah,” Charlotte nodded. “You see, I would not know. Your brother never stops talking.”
“I do stop.” William crossed his arms. Lavinia laughed, reaching out to poke him. He feigned pain. “Nor do you, actually. You never stop talking!” He addressed Charlotte.
“Yes, but that is because I have important things to say,” she said. This caused Lavinia to laugh once more.