Page 6 of Always the Chaperone
Perhaps it was his bold question. Perhaps it was the lack of pleasantries. Or perhaps it was because there was no guile in his words. Whatever the reason, Lady Charlotte looked him in the eyes for the first time since he had seen her by the pianoforte.
“You ask many questions for someone I have just met.”
It was that look, so innocent and yet inviting, that spurred him on. Stepping into the room and with his voice low, he said, “Time can solve that problem.”
She did not move, but her eyes narrowed. “You are well-rehearsed, Your Grace.”
William laughed dryly. “Perhaps, but then I have studied the steps of elegant conversation closely. Do you not think that many in our society would have done well to do the same?”
There was a rather knowing look in her gaze as she replied, “You speak very decidedly for a gentleman so recently raised to a title.”
Well, of course, she would know that—all the true nobility had known each other from birth. Were they not all related, somehow?
The news of his ascension must have caused ripples through society far more than he could guess.
William took another step closer to her. “I may not have been born with blue blood, my lady, but it turns out you can inherit it.”
Was that a flicker of a smile? Whatever it was, Lady Charlotte controlled herself immediately. “Some would argue true breeding cannot be inherited.”
“If land, title, home, and horses can be, why not nobility?” he countered. “I think manners are taught, rather than entrenched in the bone.”
His gaze raked across her face. She had not asked him to leave. She was watching him as a rabbit watched a hawk, almost certain she was prey, but wondering whether, if she just stayed still, he would leave her alone.
“I-I do not know,” she said, faltering. “I have given little thought to it.”
“You have not needed to,” William said calmly. There was magnetic energy to her, even without her trying. He felt every inch of himself want to be closer to her, to hear her speak. “You, my lady, have been blue-blooded from birth.”
She seemed to distrust him. “And you were a soldier.”
He could not hide his surprise. “Ye gods, woman, are you a soothsayer?”
Heat seared his cheeks. He had always spoken his mind, and John had teased him for it—but to speak so in front of a lady!
A lady who was laughing.
“M-my lady, you must accept my apologies,” William stammered. “I did not mean to—I am sorry if I have offended.”
“Offended?” She sat up straight as her laughter subsided, and the joy in her eyes did not disappear. “Your Grace, you remind me so much of my grandfather, I was shocked into laughter. I am more concerned that I have offended you.”
Sweet relief poured through his soul as he took another step. He was standing right before her now. If he wanted, he could reach out and touch her.
“Your grandfather?”
She nodded. “He was an admiral and continuously startled my mother, his daughter, with his loud voice and abrasive thoughts. I rather liked him.”
“It is strange how memories like that resurface after many years,” he said quietly. “But I am more interested in the memories I am making now.”
Did she understand him? Her eyelashes fluttered as her gaze dropped. “Now, Your Grace?”
“The sight of a beautiful woman. One whom I have managed to make smile.”
She immediately rose. “I look forward toThe Magic Flutewith your Miss Darby, Your Grace. If you do not mind, you must excuse me, I need to find Matthews about—oh!”
William gasped, too. The moment he had taken her hand, something stiffened in him, and not only his manhood, which had been twitching ever since he first caught her staring. No, it was a more deep, primal reaction.
William stroked her hand as he had with Miss Darby, but this was different. Lady Charlotte was different. “I look forward to it, too.”
She stared, and her lips parted. She leaned toward him, and William thought for a moment that she was going to allow him to kiss her.
