She was the only person who knew about Charlotte’s plan to find adventure this Season. She also knew why.
“Yes.” Charlotte sighed with no small measure of satisfaction as the memories of the evening flew through her mind.
“And?”
“It was glorious.” Charlotte grinned. “Even better than I hoped.”
Margaret glanced about as if to make certain no one could overhear them. “How wonderful! What was it like? Tell me every detail.”
Charlotte studied her friend, surprised at how excited she was. Margaret rarely displayed a yearning for a different life than the one she had, although hers was far from easy. “Why don’t you join me on the next outing and experience it for yourself?”
“You’re going to do it again?” Margaret’s eyes widened with astonishment. “Are you certain that’s wise?”
“No.” In fact, the tightening of her stomach suggested it was a terrible idea. “But I’m considering it anyway.” Charlotte wasn’t sure if she was telling Margaret or herself. Though she’d thoroughly enjoyed the demimonde party, she well knew that each time she ventured out, the risk of being caught grew.
“Was it truly that entertaining? What did you do?”
Charlotte pondered the question for a long moment. “I suppose part of the allure was the element of danger. But I will say seeing everything was a thrill. The décor was fabulous—all gold and silver and so much mirrored glass. The clothing of the guests was bright, colorful, and some quite outrageous.”
“Oh, I would love to see that.” Margaret sighed with appreciation. Her eye toward fashion and style was one of the many reasons Charlotte admired her.
Suddenly her friend’s eyes narrowed. “Did Lord Palmer behave himself?”
“To my surprise, he did.” Charlotte couldn’t deny there had been several moments when she’d been made uncomfortable by his stare and the way he frequently touched her. She hadn’t been able to decide if those had been deliberate or accidental.
“Did you waltz?” Margaret’s half-smile suggested she longed to as well.
“I did.” Though it was the fact that she’d done so with James that had given her a thrill. He’d been a wonderful partner.
“You truly enjoyed yourself?”
Charlotte nodded. “Lord Palmer brought a bottle of champagne that we drank in the carriage.”
“That accounts for the shadows under your eyes.”
“Along with the fact that we were out much later than I intended.” Charlotte considered sharing that she’d been recognized by James but decided to keep that to herself.
He had changed so much in the three years he’d been abroad. Then again, so had she. The man for whom she’d had a secret tendre was gone. The enigmatic man in his place was a virtual stranger, albeit a handsome one. She was surprised by how persistent he’d been about learning why she’d gone to the party and with whom. But she would rather answer to James than Edward. If her brother learned what she’d been up to, it would be disastrous.
“I‘ll be more careful next time,” Charlotte said, mostly to herself. “Being caught would bring an end to my adventures. That won’t do.”
Margaret’s expression turned sympathetic. “How has your father been?”
Over the past two years, they’d shared stories of their fathers and how their health challenges had changed their own lives.
Margaret’s father had lost much of his memory and become a shadow of his former self. His confusion tore at Margaret and had been difficult for her and her two older sisters as well as her mother. But with both her sisters married and out of the house, it fell to Margaret to shoulder the burden with her mother.
While Charlotte knew Margaret’s older sisters remained heavily involved, it wasn’t the same as having them in the house each and every day.
“Not well of late.” Charlotte’s father had his memory but had never been anything other than disapproving of his wife and children. No matter what they did, it was never good enough. Never what they should’ve done. There was no such thing as a smile or a kind word. The weight of his constant dissatisfaction had been especially difficult for her mother. She’d given up trying to please him years ago and now merely endured her life.
His irritability was made worse when his gout acted up as it had this morning. He didn’t speak but barked orders at everyone. The entire household, from the scullery maid to Charlotte’s mother, tiptoed about with the hope of avoiding his wrath.
While Charlotte knew not all marriages were like her parents, she held little hope of anything more when her father was determined to select her husband. He’d already made it clear that he’d choose someone he approved of, which meant her future husband would be like her father. The very idea nearly made her shudder.
Edward had also given up trying to gain their father’s praise or arguing with him about his decisions. He now spent as much time as possible out of the house, preferring to drink and gamble with friends. She was surprised he hadn’t yet moved out and found an apartment of his own. Was it because he realized how difficult life would become for both her mother and Charlotte if he did so?
“I’m sorry. I know matters are far worse when he’s not feeling well.” Margaret’s sympathy helped. Speaking of her troubles with someone who understood was a relief. “Then we should make the best of the evening. Who will you dance with first?”
Charlotte followed Margaret’s gaze around the crowded ballroom. Viscount Chivington stood a short distance away and nearly always asked her to dance. Then there was Lord Dalton though Charlotte didn’t especially care for him or his poor sense of rhythm.
“Who is the delectable gentleman moving in our direction that can’t seem to take his gaze from you?” Margaret whispered.
Charlotte followed her friend’s gaze. Her breath caught at the sight of James walking toward her. Based on his stern expression, he was prepared to finish their earlier conversation, causing a thrill to run through her despite herself.
Chapter Three
James ignored the surprised
