A Brooding Christmas Promise (Christmas Matches of Worth #2)

Chapter Three

“My dear Charlotte!”

Charlotte looked up, then rose to her feet as a warm smile spread across her face. “Lord Hesterway, how good to see you.”

The gentleman took her hand and bowed over it, his happiness evident in his kind expression. “We are family now, so I insist that you are no longer as formal. I can either be Hesterway or Charles to you.”

Charlotte smiled. “Charles, then. I thank you for your invitation – and your insistence – that I join you for Christmas. It was very kind of you.”

Lord Hesterway waved one hand as though to dismiss her words, then sat down in a chair opposite both Charlotte and Amelia. “It was the very least I could do. I am glad to see that my letters to your stepmother had the desired effect!”

“And my letters to you also,” Amelia murmured, taking Charlotte’s hand for a moment. “I did not think that you were going to join us, given your reluctance at first.”

Charlotte looked away, still feeling a tug of guilt. “Lady Barcsay did make it very clear to me that I was to remain with her. She reminded me repeatedly about my father’s desire for my presence to stay with her, though our brother made it very plain that she was to spend all of the festive period with them.” She gave Amelia a small smile. “Our brother was also most insistent.”

“Thomas has always been good that way,” Amelia answered. “He and I have exchanged letters about your present circumstances. We do not think that you should feel obliged to cling to them.”

“And yet, I do.” Charlotte held up one hand, silencing her sister. “I know that you will insist that I need not do as he demanded but the guilt which swarms me whenever I feel like stepping away from our stepmother and pursuing my own life is something which I cannot bear.”

Her sister’s lips pulled flat. “No doubt that is something that she has been very good in placing upon you also. I presume that you have seen that part of father’s will, however?”

Charlotte nodded. “Our stepmother had it sent to us from the solicitors and I read it clearly. It was a separate missive, something which had only been written very recently before our father’s sad passing, but it was signed with his signature and held his seal.” She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling just how much her spirits had sunk when she had read those words. “It was obvious to me then that our father was very clear in his decision.”

“So you have come to London just to enjoy the time with us then, rather than seek out a gentleman for yourself?”

Charlotte nodded, ignoring the way that her heart leapt with a sudden, furious hope. “Yes, that is all that I have come for. I want to enjoy Christmas here in London with you both, that is all. I shall enjoy society’s company, of course, but I cannot permit myself to have any interest in any gentleman whatsoever.” She smiled as she spoke though she kept her tears within. It was not something she had become used to as yet, this idea of being a spinster. Her heart desperately wanted to have the freedom that her sister and her brother had been offered but, as the youngest of the three siblings, it seemed that she was not to be given it. “Now, what is it that we are to do this evening? I hear that there is some wonderful occasion but as yet, Amelia has not told me what it is to be!”

Amelia reached for her teacup but much to Charlotte’s relief, did not say anything further about Charlotte’s present situation but instead, followed her lead in changing the conversation. “We are to attend the Earl of Trenton’s soiree – or is it a ball? I do not know what it is but it is one of the finest occasions of the little Season and something that, it is said, is looked forward to every year by the ton .” A note of excitement came into Amelia’s voice as she set her teacup down, her expression becoming a little more animated. “It is an evening of sparkling entertainment, with each room holding entertainments and an orchestra in the ballroom for those who wish to dance!”

“Goodness! That gentleman must be very wealthy indeed to put on such a wonderful event.” Charlotte felt her own heart lift in anticipation. “I do hope that one of the gowns I have brought will be suitable?” Doubt suddenly filled her thoughts and she looked down at her hands, afraid now that she would appear unfashionable and mayhap a little frumpy. “I am afraid that our stepmother was not inclined to permit me any spending on new gowns.”

“It is just as well that I have already purchased some for you,” Amelia replied, smiling warmly as Charlotte’s face lit up, happiness and appreciation pouring through her. “You and I are much the same size and so, in anticipation of your arrival, I made certain you had an entirely new wardrobe.”

Charlotte pressed her sister’s hands, her doubt flying away in a single moment. “I am very grateful indeed, Amelia, I thank you.”

“But of course.” Amelia shared a look with her husband who smiled and nodded, clearly just as contented as Amelia was to be able to offer such a thing. “You are my very dear sister and I want to make certain that this Christmas time, you have nothing but happiness.” Her smile began to fade. “I cannot imagine that these last few months have been easy.”

“But that is not important now,” Charlotte answered, refusing to let herself think back to the difficult circumstances she had endured over the last few months. Her stepmother had never been a kind-hearted soul and despite her insistence that Charlotte do as her late father had demanded, she had never shown any happiness over it. “I am here now and that is all that matters.”

“Indeed.” Amelia took in a deep breath, smiled and then picked up her tea again. “And tonight shall be the most wonderful evening, I am quite sure.”

“An excellent way to begin your time in London,” Lord Hesterway said, with a smile. “Have no doubt, Charlotte, these next few weeks are going to be the most enjoyable of your life.”

***

“My goodness gracious!” Charlotte could not help her exclamation as she stepped into the ballroom, taking in the beauty of the room itself. There were mirrors on almost every wall, candelabras filled with a great many candles spreading out their golden glow. The walls were festooned with garlands of ivy and holly berries and in the corner, Charlotte saw a mistletoe bough placed in both an obvious and somewhat discreet position. She smiled to herself, trying to push aside the flicker of excitement in her chest. Any gentleman dancing with a lady might choose to stop underneath that bough and steal a kiss in exchange for one of the mistletoe berries, so she was quite sure that almost every unattached gentleman present would be eager to do so! Giving a slight shake, she reminded herself that such a thing would not happen to her given that she was not acquainted with many people present.

“It is most extraordinary, is it not?” Amelia smiled and took her arm, leading her forward. “And would you look at the floor? Is it not beautiful?”

Charlotte's breath caught in her throat as she gazed down at the intricately designed

floor of the ballroom. The polished wood gleamed under the warm glow of the

candlelight, reflecting the soft hues of the silks and satins worn by the evening’s

guests. In the centre of the room, a beautifully painted circle showcased a coat of arms, undoubtedly belonging to their esteemed host. Surrounding it were delicate motifs of holly and ivy, meticulously detailed, evoking the richness of the season. The craftsmanship was exquisite, drawing Charlotte's eye for several moments as she admired the artistry that adorned the space where they would soon dance and mingle.

“I must say, how sad it will be to dance upon such artwork,” she murmured, as Amelia chuckled. “It seems much too beautiful to just step on while dancing.”

“But dance we must!” Amelia answered, smiling. “I do hope that you will dance despite your decision not to let any gentleman pursue you. There can be nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, surely?”

Considering, Charlotte eventually nodded. “I can see no difficulty, I suppose so yes, I shall dance, if I am asked.” She offered her sister a slightly rueful smile. “Aside from our host, I am not at all acquainted with any of the other guests!”

“Oh, that is not so,” her sister replied, chuckling. “There are many that you are already acquainted with, though you mayhap may not remember them given that it was some years ago. But you need not fear, I will introduce you to as many as possible so you will feel yourself just as much at home here as you are at the Dower house.”

“I do not feel at home there at all, so this shall be a welcome change,” Charlotte answered, with a small, wry smile. “Thank you, Amelia, for all your kindnesses. This will be the most wonderful Christmas, I am sure.”

Amelia smiled and pulled her close for a moment. “But of course.”

“Ah. I did wonder if I would see you here.”

Charlotte stopped sharply as both she and Amelia looked back at a lady who appeared familiar but whose name Charlotte could not remember.

“You do not seem to recall me, given your silence.” The way the lady’s lip curled made Charlotte’s heart sink, suddenly realizing why there was such a sense of familiarity. “My sister wrote to inform me that you would be present in London during the little Season, Miss Charlotte, pardon me I should say Miss Millerton, and thus charged me to make certain that you remembered what your father required of you.”

Charlotte lifted her chin. “Lady Foster, is it not?”

The lady chuckled, her eyes just as sharp as Lady Barcsay’s could be. “You recall me, then? Yes, I am sister to your stepmother. The last time I saw you both was at my sister’s wedding.”

Amelia cleared her throat, catching the lady’s attention and drawing it away from Charlotte. “You did not attend my father’s funeral.”

“No, I did not.” No explanation was given for this, making Charlotte frown. “But how fortunate that I am here in London now, while you yourself are also, Miss Millerton.” Again, her eyes went to Charlotte’s face though there was no warmth there. “I will be able to inform my sister of your behaviour and I will be as present as I can be to make certain you remember your requirement to my sister rather than to yourself.”

“I have no need for such a thing,” Charlotte answered, quickly. “You may mean well, Lady Foster, but I can assure you that I do not need to be reminded.”

Lady Foster did not accept this, giving Charlotte a quick shake of her head. “I am afraid that I have no interest in whether you believe that you have no requirement for such a thing or not, Miss Millerton! That is my intention and I shall stick with it.” She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing all the more. “Do not think that you will be able to push me from my task by mere words, my sister has already informed me of your selfishness, your stubborn nature and your discontent. You will find me as your shadow, Miss Millerton.” She rose to her full height, her lips pursed. “Good evening to you both.”

The moment the lady stepped away, Charlotte dropped her head and closed her eyes, all of the happiness she had once felt now evaporating away.

“I cannot quite believe her audacity!” Amelia, indignant, began to lead Charlotte in the opposite direction from Lady Foster, taking quick, hasty steps. “How dare she think that she can come and follow you around as though you are a debutante with a need for a chaperone?”

“It is our stepmother’s intentions that troubles me,” Charlotte sighed, heavily. “She clearly desires that I do just as I have said and is, mayhap, a little unhappy with the fact that I decided to come to London against her wishes.”

Amelia snorted. “A little unhappy? I think that she is greatly frustrated and, given that you defied her – though I do not see it that way, given that you are of age – she has now made certain that you will still have an awareness of her presence! No doubt she wished to attend London herself but could not, given that our brother and his wife expect her to join them for the festive season.”

“But what am I to do?” Charlotte asked, her thoughts still heavy, the evening no longer holding as much joy nor as much anticipation as it had before. “If Lady Foster is here to practically stand guard over me, then I shall not have any happiness whatsoever!”

Amelia turned to face her, grasped Charlotte’s wrist and, after a moment, hurried forward. Charlotte had no choice but to follow her, walking with her sister to the side of the ballroom where there were less people present and a little less light with it. Amelia released her, took in a deep breath and gazed into Charlotte’s face, clearly waiting for her to catch her breath and calm herself. It was something Amelia had always done and, even now, though it took a few moments for Charlotte to quieten her heart and whirling thoughts, they steadied all the same.

“You are not to let either our stepmother or her sister bring any sort of darkness to what is going to be a wonderful Christmas,” she said, firmly. “I promise you that we will not always be in her company and, if we must, then we can be just as determined as she is.”

Charlotte blinked. “What do you mean by that?”

“We can find out whether or not she is to be present at various occasions,” Amelia said, firmly, bringing Charlotte’s heart a little relief. “I believe that she is wed to a Viscount – from what I recall – but I am wed to an Earl and thus, our standing is not quite similar enough for us to always be at the same occasions. I can assure you, my dear sister, that Lady Foster will not have as much of a presence in your life as she might wish to have. Those here in London who are my friends will listen to me about this matter and make certain Lady Foster is not invited, should it come to that.” She took a breath, clearly determined. “Lady Foster calls herself your shadow but she will be nothing more than a cloud which passes for a moment and then fades away.” Her sister lifted her chin, a small smile catching the edge of her lips. “And if I must, I will throw my own events and make certain she is not invited. We cannot let her succeed, Charlotte. Do you hear me? You must be strong in this, refusing to let her capture a hold of your Christmas and make it into the dull, miserable affair she clearly wishes – all on behalf of her sister, I might add! You have already given up enough. Are you certain that you wish to give up even this?”

Charlotte closed her eyes, took in a breath and then let it out slowly. Opening her eyes – and catching sight of a gentleman who, his eyes flickering with interest, merely inclined his head and then stepped away – felt herself blush furiously, wondering just how much he had overheard. “Thank you, Amelia,” she said, making sure to keep her voice low and quiet. “You are quite right. I ought not to have let her words take such a hold of me.”

Amelia smiled, released her hands and then, stepping beside her again, looped her hand through Charlotte’s arm. “Very good. Now, ignore her entirely, I beg you, and let us go in search of some more fine company. I will introduce you to everyone I can think of and you will be dancing very soon, I am sure.”

Charlotte forced a smile, still dampening down her concern over Lady Foster’s presence. Amelia was right, of course, for she was not about to permit one lady’s determination to ruin what was meant to be a very pleasant time here in London! Try as she might, however, Charlotte felt herself a little nervous still as she resisted the desire to look over her shoulder, wondering if Lady Foster was following after her even here in the ballroom. It was only when Amelia began to introduce her to a group of gentlemen and ladies that Charlotte was finally forced to put all of that away from her mind and instead, offer greetings to them all.

This Christmas might not have been what she anticipated, what with the arrival of Lady Foster, but Charlotte had to make the best of it regardless. She only prayed she could.