“You had not mentioned the name, Lady Romney. As a businesswoman, I make it a practice not to indulge in gossip about those that frequent my establishment. However, it would not be wrong for me to say that Lord Butler would not be a suitable match, in my opinion, for a lovely innocent such as yourself,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon finished, pinning Charlotte with her gaze.
“We have lost this season, daughter. As you are aware, you are not permitted to go to balls, lunches, or anything that spells society gatherings. It would be unseemly,” her mother added.
“I see.” Charlotte eyed her mother. It was a very stupid move on her part to leave Jane behind, but she did not want Uncle to hear about the near mishap and was not sure they had absolute discretion with the young girl. Charlotte wished she knew exactly how it had reached Mrs. Dove-Lyon. She could not imagine the earl’s staff had already gossiped about her. Still, these were valid points. “I will hear you both out,” she said finally.
“Wonderful. Here are your choices as I see them. One, you can stay with a relative of your father’s—your father’s sister, Lady Agatha Wendt, in Kent. You could agree to be a companion to her,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said matter-of-factly, eyeing her as she digested that distasteful option.
Aunt Agatha would be a horrible person to live with; Charlotte fought the impulse to count off the reasons why. She did not bathe regularly and used the most horrific scent to mask her own. Second, she could not hear and screamed at one for everything. Charlotte saw Mrs. Dove-Lyon raise a brow and decided she needed to stay focused and not miss any of this as it could decide her future. She wondered how much Mama had already decided on her behalf.
“A second option is to become the wife of a member of our club—a very well-placed member who is in need of a wife at the moment. He has a small boy and has suffered much since the loss of his wife a year ago.”
Could she be speaking of Lord Clarendon? It certainly fit. No! It could not possibly be so. “May I ask who?” Charlotte ventured, her voice trembling.
“I am afraid not. Not at this time. I plan to discuss the opportunity with the gentleman in question. I only need your assurance that you will go through with this. We will need to get a special license and get this done without your uncle being the wiser.”
Charlotte’s mother sat with her mouth agape and her eyes wide. Realizing her mouth was open, she closed it before responding. “You have already determined this fine opportunity? I do not know how to thank you,” she rejoined quietly.
“Lady Romney, I feel this is an excellent chance for Lady Charlotte. And there will be no financial obligation on your part for my help. I am doing it because your husband once helped guide me in my finances when my dear Colonel Lyons departed this earth. He left me in a bit of a muddle. Your husband was the only man I felt I could turn to for help. Without hesitating, he gave me direction, paving the way for his man of business to direct my affairs free of charge. I was able to save this home and other investments until my own business became profitable. I never forget a kindness.”
“I do not know what to say. I know that my dear husband would not expect you to feel indebted for his kindness, but I thank you for your help. If there is ever anything I can do in return, please never hesitate to ask,” her mother replied.
“Be careful, my dear. In my business, I consider all options.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon chuckled.
“I am being serious. My children are my world. I am not sure what my brother is up to, but it is not benefiting my family. I need to protect them, even if they do not feel the need to be protected,” her mother said. “Please know you have a friend in me.”
“I will do that.” The proprietress smiled. She turned to Charlotte. “Lady Charlotte, I realize that this is quite a bit to tell you, but I assure you that I have your best interests in mind. Afterall, I do have a reputation to maintain.”
“You feel this is my only option?” Charlotte turned her attention to her mother.
“I do,” her mother responded, wiping a tear from her eye. “One day when you have your own children, you will better understand my motivations.”
“It sounds like we are agreed,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon looked from mother to daughter. “Now, I suggest you both return home and get her clothes packed. Do not allow anyone in the household to assist, just in case. I would not want this to get out, and I would advise you not to be over certain of loyalties within your home. Money is a strange accomplice. It makes people do things they would not normally choose to do.”
She looked at Charlotte and smiled cheekily. “From what I know of you, you will make a fine wife, and this will help your mother in other ways. Your husband—providing this match takes place, and I feel it will—will be able to petition for guardianship of your brother. That will take your uncle out of your brother’s money and the estate business he is handling,” she added, peering under some documents on her desk and extracting a piece of paper and a pencil. She wrote a few things on the paper and looked
