The Captivating Lady Charlotte (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace #2)(24)
Lavinia laughed. “Oh, don’t do that! You put me in mind of Grandmama, and I can never withhold anything from that lady when she looks at me so!”
“What do you wish to withhold?” Hurt throbbed within. “Why do people never think I’m old enough to know things?”
“Poor pet. I’ll tell you, but it is a great secret, and I do not wish—” She bit her lip.
“You do not wish Mama to know? Of course not! I don’t wish Mama to know many things, so you can be sure I’m well practiced in keeping my lips sealed.”
For some reason this declaration creased Lavinia’s brow. She finally sighed. “It is nothing bad. Instead”—her forehead smoothed as light filled her eyes—“it is all that is wonderful.”
“Then tell me! Let me rejoice with you.”
“I am, that is, Nicholas and I, we are … expecting.”
“You are increasing?”
Lavinia nodded, brightness shining from her face.
“Oh! I’m so pleased!” Charlotte gathered her close for a hug. “Oh, how wonderful for you! I gather Lord Hawkesbury is pleased, too?”
“Walking on air.”
“As well he should.”
“Lucky man.” Lavinia made a face. “Him walking around pleased as punch, while I cast up my accounts every morning.”
“You poor thing. You need looking after—”
“I’m not an invalid,” Lavinia said with another laugh. “But it is all so new. Dr. Hanbury only confirmed it yesterday. I do hope you see why I don’t want everyone knowing just yet.”
“There will be time enough. When will the happy event be?”
“We think around Christmas.”
“What a lovely gift.”
“Yes. We’re very thankful.”
Lavinia’s luminous expression cramped envy across Charlotte’s chest. Oh, to look forward to such a bright future! She fiddled with the appliqued flowers of the bedcovers. She had never been in want, and up until Lord Markham, she had usually managed to successfully wheedle whatever she liked from her parents. But if only she could marry a man she loved, who adored her in return. And have a baby, a gorgeous lovely baby … Producing a man’s heir might be her duty in life, but oh, how she wanted the warm and loving family environment to go along with it.
She swallowed a sigh. Forced a smile. “I heard a carriage leave.”
“Yes, the duke had to return early.”
“Of course.” He’d made his goodbyes last night, his farewell everything polite and distant. “I hope nobody was too offended by my remarks about the merits of the city last night.”
Lavinia chuckled. “Nobody was upset, and neither were Nicholas or I.”
She groaned. “Not you, too? Mama’s behavior last night was downright embarrassing. Could her intentions be any more obvious?”
Lavinia’s smile dimmed a little, as her expression grew thoughtful. “Do you find the duke so distasteful?”
“Did it seem I did?”
“You barely looked at him all night—”
“Only because of Mama’s carryings on.”
“Which I quite understand, but I wonder if he did.”
“But you said he wasn’t offended.”
“I don’t believe he was, but perhaps a little confused, or maybe disappointed, that an attractive young lady seated across from him could barely spare him the time of day.”
Charlotte drew back. “I was not rude, was I? Besides, why should he mind? He’s only just buried his wife.”
“True. And I can’t imagine him wishing to have another one soon. Not after …”
“Not after what? Her affairs?” At Lavinia’s soft gasp, she hurried on. “Mama mentioned the duchess was known to be less than faithful.”
“I wish you didn’t know that.”
“Why? Is it not better to know such things when Mama has made her intentions so very plain? Though why she wants me to, I don’t know.”
“I’m sure she only wants your best.”
Charlotte shook her head. “How can she? He’s old enough to be my father!”
“Hardly!” Lavinia laughed. “I understand he’s not even thirty.”
“He looks older.”
“His life has not been easy.”
“Well, he’s nothing like my Lord Markham.”
“Thank goodness,” she thought she heard Lavinia murmur.
“He’s not! I am sorry, but the duke is unattractive, with those bushy brows, and so boring. I can’t understand how anyone could think him capable of dueling.”
Lavinia shuddered.
“Do you know about the duel?” Charlotte asked. “Mama refused to tell me about that.”
“I … I cannot say with any degree of certainty.”
“You will not say, you mean.”
“I do not like to engage in idle speculation, especially when it concerns someone for whom both Nicholas and I are swiftly gaining the highest regard.”
“Hmph,” Charlotte snorted, uncomfortably aware of just how much like her mother she sounded in that moment. “Well, I couldn’t stand being married to someone like him.”