Lord Stanhope nodded and gave a little laugh. “Of course you do. We were all there,” he said with a smile. “Surely you hold some measure of affection for me. Most marriages do not even begin with that.”
“True, most marriages are based solely on the benefit of the union for the respective parties,” Charlotte said as she inclined her head to concede that point. “But the problem is that I require someone I can respect.”
Lord Stanhope stood up and dusted off his trousers. “Is this about the incident at the vicarage. Miss Browne. I was merely overcome – “
“Save your words,” Charlotte said as she cut him off mid-sentence. “This is about so much more than that. But yes, in essence, it is about how you feel it is perfectly fine to behave as you did. I deserve to be with someone who would never put me in such a situation to begin with, who would think of my wellbeing before their own gratification.”
Lord Stanhope smoothed his jacket. “Miss Browne, with all due respect, I am trying to help you. Do you think there will be many willing to marry you with your reputation as it is?”
Charlotte could not dispute the man’s point about her reputation. “Do you really think that saying it is for my benefit will really make me want to marry you? Lord Stanhope,” Charlotte rose to her feet so that the man was longer talking down to her. “For all of your put-on charms and the grace of your upbringing, you seem to have completely missed what being a gentleman truly is.”
“And you think to educate me?” Lord Stanhope chuckled and shook his finger at her. “I knew you were cheeky, but I had no idea you had this much fire in you. Go on then, tell me my flaws, Miss Browne.” He stood there waiting for her to continue, a smile upon his face.
Charlotte smoothed her dress as she calmed the anger that flared up within her. When she looked back up at him, she said, “Do you know what a real gentleman does? He gives of himself to those around him. He is kind and gentle.”
“I think you do not understand what a gentleman is at all,” Lord Stanhope said with a smirk at her description.
Charlotte shook her head at the irritating man. “No, Lord Stanhope. You are the one that is quite mistaken. You think you are better than everyone around you. But no one believes these airs you put on.”
“You and Miss Easterly certainly seemed to believe,” Lord Stanhope said as his irritation began to show. His hands clutched his jacket front.
Charlotte dipped her head in acceptance. “It is true you did fool us for a while. That is the thing about lying, Lord Stanhope. It is very hard to keep up that impression.” She drew herself up. “You will never be a true gentleman because you only see money instead of people. Being a gentleman has nothing to do with how much money a man has acquired. It is about how he treats others. I have met beggars who were more of a gentleman than you, Sir.”
Lord Stanhope’s face contorted with anger. “How dare you speak to me like that? You think I would marry you now after you speak to me with such a vile tongue?”
“Are you so dense to not see that I have been saying this whole time why I will never marry you?” Charlotte shook her head and put her chin up in the air. “You seem to have forgotten what Lord Easterly actually said. He said if I chose to marry you. IF, Lord Stanhope.”
Lord Stanhope looked over at Mrs. Sullivan and back at Charlotte. His nostrils flared and Charlotte could see him grinding his teeth together as if he was holding back his rage. “You will regret this,” he assured her in a low, threatening tone.
The next moment the man had spun on his heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Charlotte shaking from the effort to keep her visage placid in the face of the man’s anger. As soon as he was gone, Charlotte collapsed down into a chair and sobbed into her hands. A handkerchief appeared in front of her and Charlotte looked up into Mrs. Sullivan’s face.
The woman gave her a smile. “Do not mess up your face over such a man.”
Charlotte took the handkerchief with a small, “Thank you.”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Sullivan said. “Keep the handkerchief. I have several on me at all times. Now, if you are well, I should return to my duties.”
Charlotte nodded. “Of course. I am fine.”
“Hold your head high, Charlotte.” Mrs. Sullivan put her hand on Charlotte’s shoulder for the briefest moment before she left the room.
Charlotte smiled. Perhaps Mrs. Sullivan was not so nerve-wracking after all. She stood up to go to her room but found Amanda in the doorway. “Oh, Amanda,” Charlotte said. “I did not see you earlier and was uncertain if you would be down at all today.”
Amanda ran her hand along the doorframe. “I started to not come out, but I could not give my brother the pleasure of seeing me so miserable.”
“Lord Stanhope just left,” Charlotte said as she fidgeted with the handkerchief in her hands.
Amanda nodded. “I saw him when he arrived.”
“Ah,” Charlotte said. “I am so sorry that he came here. I had no idea that he would.”
Amanda laughed. “Well, of course he did. My brother practically rolled out an invitation for him.”
Charlotte had to agree. “That is somewhat true, yes.”
“I also might have listened outside the door,” Amanda said with a grin. Charlotte saw that familiar mischief flit through the girl’s eyes. “I doubt he will have the courage to return for another round of that.”
“I certainly hope he does not attempt it,” Charlotte said with feeling. “I do not think I could remain calm if I had to talk to him again.”
Amanda came over to her, letting the door shut behind her. “I am glad you did not agree to marry him.”
“I did not think it quite right after everything he had done. And besides, he is not the man he pretends to be,” Charlotte said with a sigh.
Amanda gave her a smile and Charlotte eyed her friend with suspicion. Charlotte asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, it is just that I have an inkling over exactly who would be the perfect example of what a gentleman is. You know the one you spoke of?” Amanda draped her arm across Charlotte’s shoulders.
Charlotte gave a nervous little laugh. “What are you on about?” Surely Amanda could not know what had been in her mind while she was speaking to Lord Stanhope.
Amanda gave her shoulders a squeeze. “There is only one man that we both know who fits that description and I think you know who it is.”
Charlotte laughed and said, “My father?”
“You are particularly bad at evasion, Lotte,” Amanda informed her with a grin. “And it just dawns on me why you do not want my brother finding a match for you.” Amanda gave Charlotte a wink. “I would not want the man I was in love with finding me someone to marry either.”
Charlotte gasped and pulled herself out of Amanda’s grasp. “I never said that I was in love with your brother. I simply admire him.”
Amanda gave her another infuriating grin. “Perhaps that rumour was more justified than I gave it credit for.”
“How can you say that?” Charlotte sighed at the look on Amanda’s face. “Have your fun, I am not here for your amusement.”
Amanda protested, “I have no intention of torturing you with this. I was merely teasing. I do not think that you and my brother would make a horrible match. I think he is a bit old, but it is not uncommon to have such an age gap.”
“Yes, but I have known him since I was a child,” Charlotte said in a scandalised whisper. “It does not seem proper.”
Amanda rolled her eyes. “You know how much I love proper things but have it your way. Good luck finding another one like my brother, Lotte.” Amanda gave her a wave and left Charlotte alone with her thoughts.
*
Graham knew that Lord Stanhope had come to visit. The doorman had informed him before he had gone to Miss Browne. Graham had wanted to make good on his promise about what would happen on Lord Stanhope’s return to the manor, but it was Graham’s own fault that the man had come.
&n
bsp; He had been left with no choice but to leave it up to Miss Browne if she would like to see Lord Stanhope. His hope that the young woman would send the dandy home with his hat in his hand was dashed when he saw Lord Stanhope being led into the conservatory. Graham left the house to get some air, as he had no inclination to see the man when he came out of his meeting with Miss Browne.
No matter the consequences, Graham did not trust himself to be civil to the man. He instead walked down by the fields. Edward was looking over one of the planted fields. The man raised his hand when he saw Graham.
“You have taken up watching over the gardens too?” Graham asked the steward in amusement.
Edward shrugged. “Just had some spare time and thought I would come to make sure that everything was on schedule out this way. The foreman has a tendency to not keep me informed.”
“Ah,” Graham said and clasped his hands behind his back. “Everywhere look splendid. I have been meaning to tell you, but with everything going on it has been difficult to find a moment.”
Edward chuckled and adjusted the hat on his head. “I understand that. Ladies and their dramas tend to occupy men’s minds far too much.” Edward gave Graham a curious look. “Was that a carriage I saw pull in?”
“Yes. Lord Stanhope has come to visit us.” Graham raised a hand to stop Edward as the man’s face fell into a firm frown. “He is here to visit Miss Browne. I do believe he has come to ask for her hand in marriage.”
Edward spat out the words, “Surely you would not allow that.”
“It is her choice, Edward.” Graham shook his head and stuffed his hands into his jacket. “I have no real sway over her. I agreed to put up the dowry to allow her a match of her choice.”
Edward sputtered, “But surely you have some measure of control to ensure it is a worthy match. That braggart is hardly acceptable for your sister or Miss Browne.”
“I know this,” Graham assured Edward, “But it is not my decision. It is as simple as that.”
Edward shook his head and they both looked over the field where workers were busily weeding and picking. “You are a better man than I, Boss.”
He clapped a hand on Edward’s shoulder. “I am going to walk and see if I can linger long enough to keep from strangling Lord Stanhope.”
Edward snorted and gave a nod of his head at Graham. Graham gave the field one last look before he moved on. The property went on for miles and miles, but Graham had not taken the time to make rounds of the entire estate in far too long.
He shrugged out of his jacket as he walked. The air against the considerably thinner material of his shirt felt nice on this sunny day. He busied his mind with lists of things for the gardeners to see to as he walked down a path that lay outside the formal gardens. The path wound more deeply into the property, but it also branched off to several tucked away fields and a couple of barns.
As Graham walked along one of the fence rows, some goats ran up and chattered at him noisily. “Unfortunately, I have no bits for you,” Graham told them, who carried on as if they did not believe him.
He laughed and carried on his way. He sighed up at the sky. There were fat clouds floating here and there. Perhaps the fields would get some rain.
Graham turned to the right. It was here that the path connected to the formal garden through an arch. The garden was framed like a series of outdoor rooms with tall hedges making each feel intimate and inviting.
He often pretended as a child that the gardens were the labyrinth and somewhere in its hedgerows a minotaur lurked. Graham reached out his hand and let his fingertips graze the wall of hedges as he walked. He turned into the next ‘room’ and stopped. It was the room with his mother’s rock pool.
Graham came to stand at the pool’s edge and watched the fish swim for a moment. “What a mindless and luxurious life,” Graham said in appreciation of the fish and their lifestyle. After a moment more, he turned and headed further into the garden.
His father had told him the garden covered three acres, but it had grown since then. The estimate also did not count the less formal gardens and lawns. Graham mostly did not care to figure out the exact size. He was almost afraid it might make him feel a bit pompous.
Once a year they opened the gardens to the local village and let people come in to see what they had added or improved. Graham’s mother wanted to have the gardens open without restriction all year long, but Graham had to agree with his father that it would be far too intrusive.
He finally made his way out of the hedgerows and into the less formal gardens. There were trees here, and beds of flowers that Graham could not name if he tried. The wind whipped through the trees that lined the area of the garden where he was, and he stopped walking to let it flow over him. There would definitely be rain later.
His eyes turned toward the house. Graham was some distance away from the building, but it loomed still over the trees. He was curious to know what Miss Browne’s decision would be.
He cursed himself for pulling his little stunt yesterday. If he had not done that, Lord Stanhope would be safely away from here by now. Amanda surely would have learnt the same lesson in time on her own.
He rubbed his face with his hands. This was a disaster of his own making. Graham was not sure how he would live with the consequences if Miss Browne did agree to marry the man.
He had been truthful in his words to Edward. Whatever Miss Browne’s decision, he could hardly naysay it. He had put the woman into the situation, and he could hardly blame her if she took the route that might benefit her the most.
Graham hit out against the oak tree nearest him. His fist connected with the bark, making a dull thud. The pain of the impact went up through his arm and Graham gritted his teeth.
He pulled his fist back and threw another blow at the tree’s trunk. The scratches and cuts on his fist did not bother him. He dropped his arm and shook his hand out. Graham dragged in a ragged breath.
He opened and closed the fingers of his right hand. It was sore from the abuse but seemed to be no worse for the wear. Graham walked over and dropped down on a nearby stone bench.
No matter what, he would do what was best for Miss Browne. It was his duty and he would uphold it. There was nothing more important than that, even a possible future of happiness.
He needed an heir, but he could always marry the duchess, as unappealing as a marriage with her was. When had this changed so? When had he actually grown to hold such affection for Miss Browne?
She was his sister’s childhood friend. He could recall her having lessons and learning to ride a horse. She had been technically his employee, thanks to Amanda’s idiocy. It was hardly appropriate.
Graham was not opposed to bearing some scorn for choosing a bride below his station in life, but he would not put her happiness in jeopardy. If Lord Stanhope was truly what she wanted, then Graham would be damned sure she married him. Whatever Miss Browne chose for her future, Graham would fight tooth and nail to make sure she got it.
In his mind the choice was clear. She would choose to marry the young lord. He was a war hero and came from a well-endowed family. Marrying Lord Stanhope was a secure choice.
Chapter 13
Charlotte had been sitting in the conservatory since Amanda had left wondering what she should do now. She knew she did not want to marry Lord Stanhope. There was one other thing that she knew for sure and she supposed it was only right that Lord Easterly heard it from her.
She left the conservatory and saw the steward coming in from the grounds. “Excuse me,” Charlotte called after the man.
Under the Seductive Lady's Charm: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 24
