What the Duke Wants(44)

Lady Southridge was already waiting. She was a beautiful vision in fine velvet of a deep green that appeared every bit as expensive as it surely was. Her eyes lit up as the girls entered, surprising Carlotta with the warmth in her gaze as she stood and approached the girls.

“My! How lovely you all look tonight! I’m so glad we can have you for our guests!” she gushed. Bethanny blushed and curtsied. “You must be… Bethanny, correct?” Lady Southridge inquired with a smile.

“Yes, my lady.” She demurred perfectly.

“And you are Beatrix?” she asked.

“Yes, M’um.” Beatrix curtsied as well, her face blooming with color.

“I’m Berty! Don’t forget me!” Berty rushed up, gave a precariously deep curtsey, and then beamed up, showing off, again, her lost tooth.

“Oh! It seems that you have lost a tooth! My! You are becoming quite a young lady, aren’t you?” Lady Southridge bent down slightly and caressed Berty’s face in a decidedly motherly fashion.

Carlotta was conflicted. The duke had said that she was more of a maternal figure to him… but was that accurate? Was Lady Southridge’s opinion differing? She surely acted as if she belonged at Greenford Waters, and was taking a marked interest in his wards. Carlotta felt a surge of jealousy she quickly stomped out.

It wasn’t her business.

And if the duke married a woman who would care for the girls, all the better. She refused to give any voice to the raging emotions in her heart, and turned to offer her own warm greetings to Lady Southridge. “How are you this evening, Lady Southridge?”

“Very well! I do love it here. My husband has an estate not too far away, but I do find that Greenford Waters is more to my own personal taste,” she commented, her eyes bright and clear.

Carlotta tried to puzzle piece this information together.

And was failing miserably.

“I’m sure you’re quite welcome here.” Carlotta spoke, trying to maintain her composure in her deep confusion. Thankfully, Lady Southridge turned her attention to Bethanny, questioning her about her age and talking about the London Season.

Carlotta lost herself momentarily in her thoughts even as she kept half an ear on their conversation between the two women. If Lady Southridge was married… then she wouldn’t be pursuing the duke. Carlotta felt a huge burden of relief, but a dark foreboding nipped at the heels of such a release.

What if she were his mistress?

It wasn’t unheard of. In fact, it was quite common for those women of quality who had produced an heir and spare to take their pleasure elsewhere than their husband’s bed.

Suddenly, it all made sense.

No wonder the duke was so cold and harsh when she mentioned a mistress.

He already had one.

But why present her as a parental figure? It still made no sense.

At that moment, the very man in her thoughts entered the room. His presence filled it, permeating the very air with the power of his person. He scanned the room and when his gaze met hers, she felt the connection like a physical caress. An unwelcome shiver of delight tickled her back and she forced her gaze away. Though she was now watching Berty, she continued to feel his gaze upon her.

“Charles, of course now you show up! Leave it to you to arrive just before we’re called to dine. You really must set a better example,” Lady Southridge chided, her face still lit up in grin.

Her manner towards the duke was even more confusing.

“Lady Southridge, accept my deepest apologies. Allow me to make amends by escorting you to dine.”


Carlotta glanced back to him, assuming he would be looking at Lady Southridge as he spoke to her.

But he wasn’t.

No, he was still gazing intently at Carlotta.

Swallowing compulsively, she glanced down once again.

“If you don’t mind Charles, I would rather be less informal this evening. The girls and I have much to discuss and I’d prefer to keep their company rather than yours. Goodness knows how tedious you can be.” She spoke in a teasing manner.

“Heaven forbid I should subject you to my objectionably tedious manners,” he replied dryly.

“Lovely. Now girls, shall we make our way to the dining room? Now, I’m sure your lovely governess has told you this before, but usually the highest-ranking gentleman will escort the highest-ranking lady to supper. But since we’re dining informal, I’m breaching proper conduct.” She leaned down to fake whisper, “Please keep my indiscretion between yourselves.” She raised an eyebrow till the girls, giggling behind their gloved hands, nodded their obedience.

Carlotta lifted her own hand to cover her wide smile at the antics of Lady Southridge. The woman was a confusing mystery, but regardless, Carlotta found herself rather liking the unconventional woman.

Lady Southridge started towards the door. “Do not forget your manners Charles, escort the young lady.” She nodded in Carlotta’s direction and left. The girls following close behind. Bethanny paused at the door, glancing back at Carlotta and giving her a wide smile.

A knowing smile.

Immediately heat burst into her cheeks, surely causing a deep blush.

“I’m under firm orders to escort you to the dining room.” The duke bowed crispy before her, then extended his arm.

“Thank you,” she replied. Keeping herself firmly in check, she allowed him to lead the way, but she refused to feel anything.