The Captivating Lady Charlotte (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace #2)(5)
“I lay you a pony it’s a girl brat.”
“Fifty pounds.”
“One hundred pounds!”
Charlotte studied her plate, ears straining as the conversation continued at the table behind her. Who was laying bets here? She didn’t recognize the voices. Such foolishness, gambling over the birth of a child. Did Papa know? He’d never minded a flutter.
“Hartington needs an heir.”
Hartington? Did they refer to the Duke of Hartington?
“If indeed he claims it.”
She frowned. Why would a father not claim his own child?
Apparently this was also a question from one of the unseen party as there was a laugh. “Haven’t you heard?” There was a hush of voices followed by a chorus of sniggers.
For some reason the mean-spirited gossip threaded sadness through her chest. The poor duke. How horrid to be gossiped over, to have the truth about such intimate family matters be fought over like dogs scrapping over a tasty bone. She was half inclined to interrupt, even though she knew Mama would not approve—
“Lottie?”
She glanced up, met her brother’s amused gaze.
“I did not think the delicacies warranted such rapt attention, but it appears you do.”
“Forgive me. I was woolgathering.”
“Really? Why does that not surprise me?”
She held her retort, still appreciative of his having drawn away the attention of her previous dance partner. “Thank you for … before.”
“I suppose I should get used to it, now you’re out.” His eyes glinted. “I confess I had little idea how popular I’d suddenly become with so many gentlemen wanting introductions to my sister.”
“Perhaps some of these gentlemen have sisters as well.”
He grinned. “I certainly hope so.”
She laughed, drawing the attention of several passing prospects, one of whom was bold enough to ask what she found so amusing. After successfully parrying him, she turned back to her brother, now eyeing her curiously.
“What is it, Henry?”
“It’s funny to see my little sister so flirtatious.”
“Flirtatious?”
“Careful.” He inclined his head to their mother, seated a few chairs away. “I’m just not sure I’m ready to see the girl who used to play with her dolls toying so confidently with the hearts of so many young men.”
“I’m not toying.”
“Be careful tonight does not mark your come out as a flirt.”
Her jaw dropped.
“Charlotte!”
She closed it hurriedly at her mother’s urgent whisper and met her brother’s laughter.
“Admit it. Tonight would not be complete without that familiar refrain.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “Neither of us would know what to do.”
“But you have enjoyed the evening?”
“You mean apart from my brother’s insinuations?”
“Apart from those.”
“Of course I have. Tonight has been a dream!” A giddy, wonderful, delightful dream.
“Mama seems to think so, too.”
Charlotte followed his gaze to where Mama sat, loudly exulting over Charlotte’s success yesterday at the Queen’s drawing rooms. “Two minutes! I’m sure that is far longer than any other young lady presented this year.”
Mama’s expression looked remarkably smug as she continued on her theme to a group of dowagers who were hiding their boredom moderately well.
“Two minutes.” Henry gave a low whistle. “I can’t imagine what the old girl would want with you for that amount of time.”
“Can’t you?” Charlotte reached across and pinched his arm. “You shouldn’t call her an old girl. That is disrespectful.”
“I’m sure she’s been called worse,” her brother said, rubbing his arm before rising. “Are you ready to return? I believe the dancing has recommenced.”
She nodded, pushing to her feet, and they moved to the balustrade overlooking the ballroom. Henry’s gaze roved the masses. “Why’d you have to invite so many old biddies, Lottie?”
“Mama issued the invitations, as you well know.”
“I feel as though I’ve invited my friends here tonight under false pretenses.”
“What pretenses were they? You mean to say they did not involve dancing with your sister? How shocking!”
“I confess I didn’t overly advertise such possibilities.” He coughed. “Some of my friends are not the sort of fellows I wish to dance attendance upon my sister.”
“Which makes one wonder why they are your friends.” She raised her brows.
He flushed. “Perhaps Mama is right, and you do spend too much time with our fair cousin.” He jerked a nod at Lavinia, whirling in her husband’s arms in the ballroom below. “You seem to have a way of making a fellow uncomfortable. It won’t do, you know. Not if you mean to snare a husband.”
“Snare a husband? You don’t really think I need to resort to entrapment, do you?”
He turned, looked her over, before a reluctant-looking tilt to his lips suggested his approval once more. “You’ll do.”
She chuckled, looping her arm through his as they walked down the grand staircase. “I do hope when you meet a young lady you wish to charm that you’ll refrain from being quite so economical in your praise.”