Lady's Wager (8 page)

Further down the line, she spied Lord Ashford and Elizabeth
and nodded in their direction. “Lord Ashford is a great patron of St.
Dunstan’s.”

“Yes, he’s told me about your charity work. How did you
develop such an interest?”

The dance separated them again, giving Charlotte time to
decide how best to answer. She could give him the response she gave all those
who asked, or she could tell him the truth. She was ready to explain for the
hundredth time how she wanted to do something of meaning with her time when the
soft look in his eyes as they came together made her reveal the real reason.
“My parents died of a fever when I was twelve and I was sent to Venice to join
my aunt and uncle.”

“I’m so sorry,” he offered with genuine sympathy. “It must
have been quite a shock.”

“It was,” Charlotte whispered, remembering how she’d sat
for days in the window of her aunt and uncle’s Venetian town house, watching
the boats pass by on the canal below and crying when she thought no one was
looking. Even back then she’d refused to cry in front of others, not even Aunt
Mary and Uncle Charles who’d watched her mourn with great concern. “But Aunt
Mary refused to allow me feel sorry for myself or wallow in my sadness.”

“You were very lucky to have her.”

“Lucky indeed. One day she bundled up our old dresses and
took them and me to a charity hospital outside Venice. When I saw those poor
children, some of them my age, and the way they suffered, it made my suffering
seem paltry in comparison. I’ve dedicated myself to raising money for hospitals
ever since.”

“You’ve chosen a very worthy cause and I’m sure there are
a great many thankful for your work.”

Charlotte’s cheeks burned with the compliment, for there
was no mockery or false admiration in it. “When I was in Paris I was impressed
with Napoleon’s system of medical care.”

“You approve of Napoleon?”

“No, he’s a tyrant of the worst kind, but his superb sense
of organization has benefited many institutions, including hospitals.”

“And you hope to do the same at St. Dunstan’s?”

“It could be done, with the proper funds, but despite the
success of my soiree, I’ve had a difficult time convincing anyone besides those
who attended to be generous. London is sorely lacking in people who’d part with
a shilling for the poor. They’d rather spend it on French silk.”

“Not everyone is so selfish and when we’re finished
dancing, I’ll prove it.”

She doubted London society
was as generous as he believed, but if it meant helping the hospital, she’d
happily allow him to prove her wrong.

*****

Mary grasped Lady Redding’s arm with controlled excitement
as Charlotte and Lord Woodcliff remained on the floor for a second dance. “You
were right.”

Lady Redding raised her chin in triumph. “I told you. Two
such willful young people often need encouragement to uncover the truth of
their own hearts.”

“Charlotte will need more than one night. She’s very
willful.”

“Then we’ll give them more encouragement.” Lady Redding
leveled her fan at an older gentleman who stood nearby, finishing the last of
his lemonade. He also watched the young couple, a slight smile playing at the
corners of his mouth. “There’s Lord Woodcliff’s father. Shall I introduce you?”

“Yes, please do.” Mary clapped her hands together, thrilled
by her good fortune. Plans for Charlotte’s trousseau filled her thoughts as
Lady Redding caught the gentleman’s eye and motioned for him to join them. He
responded quickly, taking Lady Redding’s extended hand and kissing it.

“You were right,” he said with a wink.

Lady Redding’s smile deepened. “I was doubted by all and
now I’m without doubt. Lord Hatteston, may I introduce Mrs. Stuart, Miss
Stuart’s aunt.”

He took Mary’s hand, giving it a happy, firm squeeze.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’ve heard a great deal about your niece. May my
son call?”

“My lord, he is welcome at any time,” Mary breathed,
almost excited beyond words.

“Then we’ll meet again soon.” He bowed and strode off
across the room.

Mary rapidly waved her fan in an effort to maintain her
air of decorum. “You can’t imagine how happy I am to see this. Do you think
it’s wise to let Charlotte favor Lord Woodcliff so much? People will talk.”

“Good. It will scare away any other young ladies who fancy
him.”

“I adore your advice. It’s so
much more useful than Mrs. Knight’s.”

*****

The second dance ended and Lord Woodcliff escorted
Charlotte back to her aunt and Lady Redding. While Lady Redding and Aunt Mary
exchanged the latest
on-dit
with Lady Treadwell, Charlotte and Lord
Woodcliff stood close by, Lord Woodcliff glancing about the room.

“Who are you looking for?” Charlotte asked as he caught
the eye of an older gentleman of about five and forty standing with a group of
soberly dressed matrons near the door.

“People with charitable inclinations.” Lord Woodcliff
motioned to the stout gentleman who seemed very pleased to have an excuse to
leave his party.

“Veness,” Lord Woodcliff bowed to the older gentleman as
he approached. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Woodcliff, I didn’t expect you to be here tonight,” the gentleman
replied in a raspy voice before catching Charlotte’s eye. “Though I can
understand your reason for attending.”

Before the older gentleman could speculate further, Lord
Woodcliff turned to make the introduction. “Lord Veness, may I introduce Miss
Stuart. She’s a great patron of St. Dunstan’s Charitable Hospital.”

“A very admirable pursuit in a young lady, though my wife
might disagree.” Lord Veness winked at Charlotte who instantly liked the older
man. He reminded her of her uncle with his good humor and easy manner.

“Miss Stuart is soliciting funds for improvements to the
hospital. I know a man of your generosity will do all he can to help.”

Lord Veness beamed. “I’d be delighted. I’ll send my man
around tomorrow. Who should he ask for?”

“Dr. Walter,” Charlotte quickly offered.

“I’ve heard of him. Excellent fellow. Solid reputation.”

“Perhaps you could mention it to your friends? I’m sure
they’d like to help such a worthy cause,” Lord Woodcliff suggested and Lord Veness
nodded vigorously.

“Definitely. I’ll do all I can to help Miss Stuart.” He
bowed to Charlotte, then rubbed his thick chin as he studied the guests. “Now,
let’s see who else might be able to help you.”

By the time Lord Veness was done, he’d garnered donations
from two older ladies and a gentlemen before leaving them with a promise to
find more willing patrons.

“Lord Woodcliff, thank you very much for your kindness. I
hadn’t expected this kind of generosity at Almack’s,” Charlotte said as he led
her on to the floor for their third dance. She knew it wasn’t the custom to
dance so much with one man, but she wasn’t ready to relinquish Lord Woodcliff’s
attention. With people already whispering about her being Miss Out and Outer,
another story made little difference.

“Not everyone is from London,” he replied as they took
their position for the opening. “Some of us have seen enough of the world’s
troubles to appreciate our own prosperity and know how important it is to help
the less fortunate. Near Grossmont Hall, my family seat, there are a number of
families who could benefit from the services of a proper physician.”

“I thought you despised physicians?” Charlotte ventured as
the dance began. She instantly regretted it as his smile faded to a look of
pain.

“When I was ten, my mother died at the hands of a quack.
She was ill and he bled her until she was so weak there was no chance of
recovery. Since then, I’ve always been suspicious of medical men. At the time
of your soirée I didn’t know Dr. Walter’s reputation. I challenged him because
I wanted to protect you and your guests.”

Suddenly his behavior made perfect sense and her heart
went out to him. She knew all too well what it was like to experience such
loss. “I’m very sorry, and I admire your courage in telling me. I know it isn’t
easy to talk about such things.”

They interlaced their arms for the turn and his fingers
curled around hers, pressing against her gloved palms to hold her steady. The
nearness of him and the sharp scent of his musky cologne made the room fall
away for a moment until it was only her and him and the small intimacies they’d
shared.

“People are in great need of good physicians especially
in the country. A lady like you could do much to ease their suffering,” he
announced, perhaps a little too loudly and she knew their closeness affected
him as well.

“I intend to. At the end of the Season I’m returning to my
uncle’s house in Salisbury to establish a proper village clinic,” Charlotte
replied and she caught his fleeting look of disappointment.

“London will lose a great deal by your absence. It’s in
dire need of enlightened ladies like you.”

When they were forced to release one another, she opened
and closed her hand, missing the pressure of his fingertips, the sensation as
surprising as his remark.

“I didn’t think you approved of educated ladies?”

He knit his brows in confusion. “When did I give you such
a notion?”

“The first day we met. You said Eton and Cambridge had
nothing to offer a lady.”

At the reminder of his words, Lord Woodcliff laughed,
sliding his hand back into hers for the next step. “I assure you, Miss Stuart,
you misunderstood the remark. I said Eton and Cambridge had nothing to
recommend themselves to ladies because both institutions have little to offer
in regards to true education for either sex. You were much better educated as
you were than to have had your mind stilted by old dons.”

“Few gentlemen would admit such a thing to a lady.”

“Few gentlemen genuinely study while at school. Most
prefer to gamble and carouse. Now, Miss Stuart, tell me about you. Why did you
and your family remain in Paris after Napoleon broke the peace of Amiens?”

Charlotte hesitated, remembering too well the danger and
uncertainty of those long months in France. “We’d been in Paris for so many
years, few thought of us as English and Uncle Charles was able to continue his
business for quite some time. The danger wasn’t apparent until after Napoleon’s
victory at Austerlitz. As we prepared to leave, a number of other Englishmen
needed our assistance. Uncle Charles did all he could for them which greatly
delayed our departure.”

“How were you finally able to leave?”

“Uncle Charles secured permission from his friends in the
French government. But it wasn’t easy for they were arresting all British men
and the Paris officials almost refused our request to travel. Once we were
allowed to leave, we had to ride like the devil to make our ship, which was one
of the last to reach England before the blockade.” She shivered as she recalled
the dark night in the carriage when her aunt had clung to her as they’d rushed
across the French countryside toward Calais.

“Why didn’t you and your aunt leave sooner?”

“Uncle Charles wanted us to, but we refused. We couldn’t
leave him to who knows what fate.”

“It was very honorable of you to remain with him. It shows
your great love for one another. I hope someday to inspire such loyalty in
you,” he said softly.

Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat and she worked to
stay standing beside him and not fall into his arms to finish what they’d begun
at Mr. Taylor’s. The dance floor at Almack’s was no place to forget oneself.
“Will witty conversation suffice for now?”

“For now.”

Charlotte and Lord Woodcliff
continued dancing, discussing art and Paris and enjoying each other’s company. He
spoke candidly, which encouraged her to do the same. She considered appearing
more reserved and revealing less but the ease she experienced in his company proved
more powerful than any desire to remain silent.
Thoughts she rarely shared with anyone else tumbled from her lips and
he listened with great interest and understanding, returning her confidences
with those of his own.

*****

Charlotte and Edward’s intimacy did not go unnoticed by
Mary and Lady Redding, who continued to watch the couple dance.

“I believe we should be going. Though I hate to intrude so
soon,” Mary said, covering a yawn with her fan as the clock across the room proclaimed
the late hour.

“We must intrude and leave them desiring more of each
other’s company,” Lady Redding advised.

“How wonderful you are at this.”

“If I’m half as talented as you believe, we’ll have a
wedding by the end of the Season.”

Mary smiled brightly as Lord Woodcliff escorted Charlotte
back to them.

“What a pleasant evening this has been but it’s late and
we must be going.” Mary happily observed the look of disappointment on her
niece’s face and offered a quick boon to soften the departure. “Lord Woodcliff,
I had the pleasure of meeting your father. He asked permission for you to call.
I hope we may see you soon.”

“Indeed, you will.” Lord Woodcliff turned to Charlotte,
taking her offered hand and lightly brushing his lips across her knuckles. “I look
forward to continuing our conversation, Miss Stuart.”

Mary noted, for the first
time in her life, Charlotte had no response.

*****

In the carriage, Charlotte silently chided herself for
being such a ninny and not finding the words for a proper goodbye. She turned
to complain to Lady Redding and Aunt Mary but their self-satisfied looks
stopped her short and she quickly realized the folly of her girlish silence.

“I see you fulfilled your promise to enjoy yourself,” Aunt
Mary teased.

“The evening was more tolerable than I expected.”

“As was Lord Woodcliff’s company,” Lady Redding chimed in
a singsong voice.