He could only hope his conversation with Edward this evening went as well as this one had. The time had come to advise his friend of how much he’d come to care for his sister. He had no idea how Edward would take the news. But if James was going to successfully convince Lord Wynn that he was the right husband for his daughter, he needed all the assistance he could gather.
~*~
Charlotte spent the entire day wondering what might happen if James called on her. Did he truly feel something for her that went beyond friendship? Even if he did, what hope was there of a future with him when arrangements with Lord Samuelson had already progressed so far? She and Lord Samuelson might as well have announced their betrothal as far as her father was concerned. Convincing Lord Wynn to consider someone else as a potential husband for her seemed impossible.
But they weren’t betrothed, and this was her chance. James was everything her father could want in a son-in-law. He was titled, wealthy, intelligent, a former officer, and an honorable man. What more could he ask?
Yet she worried none of that mattered. Her father would only be happy with the person he’d selected—Lord Samuelson—and whatever he would gain.
However, if she didn't act now it would be too late. A knot of dread formed in the pit of her stomach each time she thought of broaching the subject with her father. He was stubborn enough to not consider James simply because he hadn't been his choice. While his gout had calmed, that hadn't improved his disposition over much.
After pacing the length of her bedchamber for what seemed like hours as she considered possible scenarios, an idea came to mind. Announcing how much she cared for James would not help. Not when she’d already shared that she didn’t care for Lord Samuelson. Her feelings weren’t important to either of her parents.
Her best hope was to plant a seed about how wonderful James was and see if she could convince her father and mother to think about him in a new light. Perhaps that would be enough for them to start to seriously consider him as a suitor.
Small steps, she told herself. Each one leading to her goal. She would start with Edward. She would speak to him before dinner and advise him of her feelings for James. Surely he would then support her when she mentioned James at dinner.
Yet as the dinner hour approached and Edward did not appear, her spirits sank. Little purpose would be served in her proceeding without his assistance.
She entered the dining room reluctantly to find her mother and father taking their seats. They had long ago given up the practice of convening in the drawing room beforehand.
“Good evening.” She forced a smile as she joined them.
Nerves continued to dance in her stomach, making her wonder if she'd be able to eat anything. But the thought of James bolstered her courage. The butler was serving their first course of Lorraine soup made of chicken broth, egg yolks, ground almonds, and cream when Edward entered the room.
“Good evening,” he said as he took his chair. “My apologies for the delay in my arrival.”
Lord Wynn merely glared at him.
Relief filled Charlotte at his presence, and she smiled brightly.
He frowned as if confused by her response. “What has you all smiles this evening?”
“I’m just pleased you’re here.” And greatly relieved.
“Mother, how was your day?” Edward asked as he studied her. Charlotte didn't miss how his gaze shifted to the half-empty wine glass by her plate though they’d only just begun the meal.
“Well enough, I suppose.” No smile accompanied her statement. Of late, it seemed she wore a perpetual frown.
Witnessing her unhappiness made Charlotte even more determined to raise the subject of James. The sooner the better. She did not want her future to mirror her mother’s.
“What are your plans for this evening?” she asked Edward, gripping tight to her courage. “Will you be spending it with Viscount Redmond by chance?”
Edward raised a brow as he lifted his spoon. “Since when have you taken an interest in my social activities?”
“I think it's lovely that you and he have rekindled your friendship.” She plowed forward, feeling much like an ox pulling a disc and harrow through impossibly hard ground. “He has always been very kind to me.” She resisted the urge to grit her teeth at her inane description. How was discussing his kindness going to aid her cause?
“Kind?” Edward looked at her as if she spoke an unfamiliar language.
The discussion wasn’t going according to plan in the least. Yet what else could she do but persist?
“Don't you think Viscount Redmond is a kind gentleman?” she asked her mother, hoping she would agree.
Her mother blinked several times then reached for her wineglass, leaving her soup untouched. “I suppose he's kind enough. Then again, most gentlemen are upon first acquaintance. It’s only with the passing of time that their true character is revealed.”
“Why are we discussing the kindness of Viscount Redmond?” her father asked as he gestured for Gordon to remove his empty bowl. “Surely there's something more interesting for our dinner conversation.”
Charlotte wanted to stomp her foot in protest. “I find him much nicer than Lord Samuelson.” She stared at the creamy soup, wondering why she had mentioned him. Comparing the two would only raise her father’s ire.
“Kindness has no bearing on being a good husband.” Her father glared at her, causing her stomach to lurch.
She needed to answer carefully or risk angering him further. She started to respond only to be interrupted by her mother.
“Of course kindness is important for a good marriage. Not everyone wants to be married to someone as difficult as you.” Lady Wynn emptied her wineglass in one swallow.
Charlotte gasped, shocked that her mother had said such a thing. A glance at Edward showed he was stunned as well.
Even the butler stilled in surprise for a moment before slowly moving toward the door as if hoping to escape. Charlotte wished she could follow him.
“Your opinion is of no consequence,” her father began. “Have you ever stopped to consider that one of the reasons for my poor mood is due to you?”
“Well, perhaps I would be in improved spirits if you weren't so irritable. Spending any time with you is a miserable experience.”
Charlotte gave up all pretense of eating and watched her parents glare at each other. While it was no surprise that neither of them was happy with the other, they had never before vocalized their disagreements. At least not in front of her. Though she applauded her mother for speaking out, she also worried for her. Her father's anger was nothing to dismiss. He’d made all of their lives miserable in the past.
“That is certainly food for thought,” Edward said as he returned his attention to his soup. “Perhaps we could conduct an experiment and have you both be kind to one another and monitor the results.” He appeared amused by the idea.
“You will refrain from offering your opinion. I find your remarks rude and insufferable not to mention disrespectful.” Lord Wynn’s lips tightened as if to keep himself from saying more.
Edward ignored him and finished his soup before nodding at the butler who had returned to the dining room. No doubt Gordon wished he were invisible, but he bravely came forward to take Edward’s bowl.
Charlotte cleared her throat unable not to speak. “Considering the fact that we are family, I, for one, should very much like to see us be kind to one another. Surely that isn't too much to ask.” She directed the last at her father and braced herself for his response.
“Your expectations do not matter.” Her father slapped his hand on the table, rattling the crystal.
Charlotte jolted at the sound, but oddly enough her mother didn't.
“You will all do as I say or suffer the consequences,” her father demanded, his angry gaze pausing on each of them. “Do I make myself clear?”
Edward pushed back from the table and stood, throwing his napkin
on his plate. “I believe I'll have dinner at my club after all. Good evening.” He left without a backward glance.
Charlotte rose as well, hoping her mother would follow suit. “I seem to have lost my appetite. Goodnight.” She quit the room but couldn't resist one last look at her mother through the crack in the door. To her surprise, her mother slowly stood. Charlotte couldn’t tear her eyes from the drama playing out before her.
“Since you can't find it within yourself to be kind and have now gone so far as to drive away our children, I will leave you in peace. Perhaps you'll find your own company preferable to your family’s.”
“Sit down.” Her father's angry tone had Charlotte stiffening in fear.
“No,” her mother said and turned toward the door.
Charlotte hurried toward the stairs, not wishing to be caught eavesdropping.
Her mother had never spoken that way to her father. What did all of this mean? Though she wished he would see the error of his ways and realize how unpleasant his behavior was, she didn't think that was possible.
Her comments about James had been lost under the turmoil of the conversation. She hadn’t done any good and instead had possibly caused great harm. Now she feared her father would be even more unreasonable if that were possible. What a disaster she thought as she slumped against the closed door of her bedchamber.
~*~
James visited three different gaming hells before he found Edward. It only took one look at his friend to realize something was amiss. From the stiff way he held himself to the glares he cast at his opponents across the card table, it was clear that he wasn’t in a pleasant frame of mind.
“Damn,” James muttered under his breath before he approached. He’d hoped to have a civil conversation rather than an argument. But from Edward’s hardened expression, he appeared ready to fight anyone who looked at him wrong.
“I thought you said you would be at Madame Gaston's this evening,” James said as he stood beside his chair.
“My evening has not gone according to plan.”
“Should I ask why?”
“Dinner with my family. Actually, I only made it through the first course before leaving.”
When he didn't say anything more, James grew worried. Had Charlotte said something? Was she well?
He held tight to his patience as Edward played his hand of cards so they could talk privately.
At last, Edward won the game and threw down his cards. “Care to play?” he asked James.
“Not given your present mood.”
Edward’s wolfish grin was more of a snarl.
“Why don’t you pause and tell me about dinner?”
Edward pushed back from the table and nodded at the rest of the players. “If you'll excuse me.”
“You leave us no chance to win back our funds,” one of the players protested.
“Do not worry,” James reassured them. “No doubt he will return soon.”
He followed Edward out of the card room and into the bar.
“How did a family dinner put you in such poor spirits?” James asked with as much patience as possible after Edward ordered a drink.
James fought the urge to grasp the lapels of his suit coat and give him a good shake until he told him what had happened. Worry for Charlotte made it difficult to think.
“My father is being impossible as usual.”
“His gout returned?” James knew Lord Wynn’s irritability more than doubled when he was experiencing a flare of the painful disease, something that seemed to happen often.
“If only that were the reason for his poor behavior.” Edward ran a hand over his face then met James’ gaze, worry in the depths of his eyes. “Am I destined to be similar to him? Unwilling to listen to anyone’s opinion other than my own. So difficult that my family avoids me at all costs.”
“No.” James knew that much for certain. Edward was nothing like his father. While at times his friend could be difficult, most of those circumstances stemmed from something his father had done or said. “You are reasonable, respectful of others, and considerate. I'm sorry to say I don't think your father is any of those things.”
Edward scoffed. “That mirrors the conversation from dinner.”
“Oh?” Now they were getting somewhere.
“Charlotte mentioned you.”
“She did?” A wild tangle of hope and fear lodged in his chest.
“She kept going on about how kind you are.”
“Kind?” Why had she said that? He held onto his patience, hoping Edward would continue.
“Needless to say, father thought the conversation ridiculous as he insists kindness has no bearing on a good marriage.”
James was growing more puzzled by the moment. Good heavens, what else had Charlotte said?
As if realizing he made no sense, Edward waved a hand in the air. “She raised the subject of Lord Samuelson and how she thought you were much kinder than him. I have no idea what she was thinking.”
I do. But he kept the thought to himself and waited until Edward met his gaze. “You see, she and I have come to know each other rather well in recent weeks and found that we care for each other very much.”
Edward stiffened as his eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? You've been going behind my back to see my sister?”
“No. Well, yes. But not in the way that sounds.”
“You bastard. How dare you!” His fist clenched, suggesting he’d like to plow it into James’ face.
“I have the greatest respect for her. And you,” he added hastily when Edward’s mouth twisted.
“You’ve always said she is like a sister to you.”
James nodded, deciding no purpose would be served in denying that. “She was. But that has shifted into something more. So much more.”
“To think I trusted you. If you ruined her—”
“No.” James held up his hand to halt Edward before he called him out. “Nothing of the sort.” Though that was a matter of debate, given how often they’d been alone together. But considering the fact that he’d accompanied her to protect her reputation, surely he wasn’t completely in the wrong.
“Explain yourself,” Edward demanded.
“She was in need of assistance, and I aided her, which caused us to spend time together.” He drew a deep breath. “I deeply admire and respect Charlotte, and I very much want to court her.”
“She's practically betrothed.” Edward studied him as if he'd lost his mind. “You already know that.”
“To a man for whom she has no regard. Nor do you. Surely, I would make a better brother-in-law than Lord Samuelson.” James lifted a brow, hoping his friend would agree.
Edward blinked. “I suppose I never considered that.” Then he slowly smiled. “Yes, I would prefer you as a brother-in-law. But I fear my approval won’t aid you. Not after the disagreement Father and I just had.”
“We shall see. But your approval means much to me, and I know it will to Charlotte as well.” James smiled, filled with relief and even more hope. He held out his hand and shook Edward’s. “Thank you.”
“I hope you know what you’re getting into by wanting to join my family.” Edward sighed as a waiter served them drinks.
“Charlotte was well when you left?” James couldn’t help but worry about what had happened after Edward left.
“Yes, though I'm certain Father continued his rant. I should’ve remained. Hopefully, all is well.” Yet his brow puckered as if he doubted his own statement.
James needed to know for sure. He could only hope his aim was on target this evening.
Chapter Seventeen
An unexpected clink echoed in the darkness of Charlotte’s bedchamber, causing her to catch her breath. She stilled beneath the covers, a book in hand, trying to determine from where the sound had come. She had been attempting to read for the past few hours, something that would surely appall Lord Samuelson. However, concentrating was a challenge
when all she could think about was James.
She had remained in her bedchamber since the disastrous dinner. Much to her relief, no shouts or the thud of objects being thrown against a wall had rent the air, which had occurred on more than one occasion in the past. While tempted to offer her mother support and see how she fared, Charlotte hesitated. The situation felt as if it were between her mother and father, and therefore one they needed to resolve.
She would be happy to comfort her mother in the unlikely event that she sought her out. How sad to think they didn't have the sort of relationship that encouraged confidences.
Charlotte waited another moment, listening closely. Sure enough, another clink sounded, seeming to come from her window.
James?
She set aside her book and threw off the bedclothes to rush to the window and look out. The garden below was dark, but she was certain something moved in the shadows. It had to be James. Rather than bothering to open her window, she put on her robe and slippers then retrieved the candle from her bedside table and quietly opened her door.
Much to her relief, no one stirred. She made her way down the stairs, to the garden door, and stepped outside. A cool evening breeze nearly extinguished her candle, so she cupped her hand over the flame as she moved forward.
“James?” She kept her voice low as she searched for him.
“Over here.”
Heart thudding, Charlotte moved along the path in the direction of the voice until she was rewarded when a tall figure emerged from beside a tree.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she searched his familiar features just visible in the glow of the candle flame.
“I had to make certain you were well. I spoke with Edward, and he mentioned that dinner didn’t go well. How are you faring?”
“Fine, thank you.” Warmth spread through her to think he cared enough to come to see her. “Though I wish I could have left with Edward.”
“What happened?” James shifted closer, his broad-shouldered form blocking the light breeze as he reached for her hand.
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