Ladies and Their Secrets: Regency Romance Collection

by Alec, Joyce

  It meant that Charlotte had been late in her coming out. For even the year her mourning had ended, she had not felt able to join in all the parties and soirees going on around her, but her mother had been quite the opposite. She had thrown herself headlong into all the joys life could hold, as though the loss of her husband had shown her that she had to make the most of what she had. And, as luck would have it, her mother had been blessed with the gift of new love and a new husband.

  The Earl of Hardwick would never replace Charlotte’s father, but at least he was a kind man. The love in his eyes whenever he looked at Charlotte’s mother brought a joy to her heart that began to heal the pain and sorrow that had been etched there for so long. Charlotte was quite sure her mother would be more than happy with the Earl of Hardwick, especially now that they would be financially secure and no longer a burden to Charlotte’s uncle.

  If only her new stepsister could see things that way. Opening her eyes, Charlotte dared a look at Lady Emma and saw that her blue eyes were still harsh and cold, her lips thin and expression haughty. Sighing inwardly, Charlotte closed her eyes again and chose to ignore her.

  Lady Emma was not in any way happy about her father’s marriage, although she was always kind and respectful to her new stepmother. However, towards Charlotte, she made her feelings quite clear. There was no kinship between them, no understanding of the pain and grief they had both gone through in losing a dear parent.

  But, then again, Lady Emma had never really known her mother. From what Charlotte knew, the lady had died in childbirth, along with the baby, when Lady Emma had been but three years of age. But still, Charlotte had reasoned, that brought a loss of its own. There would be something missing, something gone from your life that could never be replaced. However, Lady Emma had never once mentioned it. It was as though she cared very little for the loss of her mother. After all, she was the only one her father needed to think about, and Charlotte knew that Lady Emma disliked being somewhat replaced by the new Lady Hardwick.

  No longer would Lady Emma be the only focus of her father’s attention. No longer would she be the only one her father thought of, the only one her father cared for. That must bring some irritation, of course, but Charlotte would have expected the lady to be glad that her father was happy once more, that he was no longer alone and destined to live his life without the companionship and friendship of a wife. But apparently, she was quite wrong on that count. Lady Emma seemed more put out than anything else.

  No, a friendship was not particularly likely to blossom between the two of them.

  “And are you intending to find yourself a husband this season?”

  Charlotte’s eyes flew open as she looked across at Lady Emma, who was regarding her with a look of distaste.

  “A husband?” Charlotte stammered, a little taken aback by the lady’s questions. “I had not thought about—”

  “Well, you ought to be thinking about it!” Lady Emma replied, with a toss of her head. “My goodness, Miss Richardson! You cannot intend to live off my father’s charity for the remainder of your life now, can you?”

  Charlotte bristled, her normally calm demeanor a little riled. “I have no intention of living off anyone’s charity, Lady Emma. As it stands, I view him as my guardian, just as I ought. He has been very kind to me and has not made any kind of request regarding my presence in his home.”

  Lady Emma let out a soft little laugh, shaking her head mockingly at Charlotte. “Come now! You should know that my father is only kind towards you simply because he has to be. You are just an additional burden that he has no other choice but to shoulder. The sooner you are married and settled, the happier he will be.”

  Charlotte narrowed her eyes, her fingers curling in her lap. “Lady Emma, as much as you try to paint your father in this disagreeable light, I must warn you now that I have no intention of believing a word you say about him.” Seeing Lady Emma’s eyes narrow even further, Charlotte continued in a rush, desperate to finish what she was saying before Lady Emma could shoot any more spiteful barbs her way. “He loves my mother, of that I am quite sure, and would not wish to push me out of his home. I know that you find my presence here most disagreeable, but I can take no responsibility for that.” Hardening her gaze, she fixed her stepsister with a look. “And I can assure you that I will take your father’s words over yours any day.”

  Sitting back in her seat, Charlotte watched in satisfaction as Lady Emma spluttered, apparently stunned that Charlotte would speak to her in such a way. She was not about to let Lady Emma think that she could get the better of her. A show of strength meant that Lady Emma would be in no doubt as to Charlotte’s determination to ignore her spite entirely. Charlotte knew that Lady Emma was not happy about her changed circumstances, but that was none of Charlotte’s concern.

  “After all,” she finished, seeing Lady Emma still searching for a response. “Mayhap you will be the one to marry first, Lady Emma, and you will not have to put up with me for too much longer.”

  Lady Emma let out a screech of frustration, which made the carriage jolt as the horses jerked in surprise. It was enough of a shock so as to force the lady to hold onto the strap and forget her torrent of anger that she clearly intended to direct towards Charlotte, which meant that the rest of the carriage ride continued in silence.

  Charlotte sighed in relief, wishing the carriage could go somewhat faster as they made their way through the streets of London. Lady Emma had already had two seasons and still, as yet, had not found herself a suitable beau.

  That was not to say that she did not have a great number of gentleman callers. From what Charlotte had heard, there had been at least two proposals, but apparently neither had been up to snuff. It was not that Lady Emma was searching for love or the like, but rather that the gentlemen in question had not been of a high enough title for her liking. Lady Emma wanted nothing more than to better herself, so—even though her father was an earl—she would not consider anyone of the same or lesser title than that. No, Lady Emma wanted a marquess or even a duke for herself. After all, she was the daughter of a rich and well-respected earl, and with her fair curls and sparkling blue eyes, she would be a pretty piece for any gentleman to have on his arm.

  Charlotte gave her auburn locks a self-conscious tug. Red hair was not a particularly sought-after trait, especially when one did not have the green eyes to go with it. Her eyes were a dark hazel, courtesy of her father, which meant that Charlotte would never truly be considered a beauty. Nor was her dowry anywhere near as large as Lady Emma’s would be, given that Charlotte’s late father had been a viscount and not a wealthy one at that.

  It is probably just as well I have no great urge to marry, she thought, as a wry smile crossed her face. I shall just be content in our new situation and, mayhap in time, I shall find someone who cares nothing for looks, but rather esteems character over the brightness of one’s eyes.

  The carriage drew up to the townhouse, and—with a sigh of relief—Charlotte alighted from it and looked up at her new home. Lady Emma brushed past her with a tirade of irritation and annoyance already erupting from her lips, but Charlotte heard nothing of it. Instead, she was lost in a flurry of memories, remembering how she had stood on these very steps with her mother only a few days ago, overseeing the last of their things being taken within.

  “This is home now,” she said to herself, carefully walking up the steps and through the front door. “And I intend to be very happy here.”

  2

  “Miss Richardson, are you ready?”

  Hiding a smile at the exasperated look on Lady Perrin’s face at the howls of dismay coming from the hallway, Charlotte rose from her seat in the drawing room and made her way to the door. “Is everything quite all right with Lady Emma?” she asked softly, seeing Lady Perrin grimace.

  “My niece has found a small tear in the bottom of her new gown,” she explained, stepping aside so that Charlotte could walk through. “As I am sure you understand, this is quite u
nfortunate, but we simply cannot be any later than we already are for the ball. I instructed the maid to mend the tear as best as she can, and—much to my relief—it cannot even be seen.”

  Charlotte frowned, wondering why Lady Emma was still so dismayed.

  “Unfortunately, my niece wished to change her gown entirely, but I have insisted that we leave,” Lady Perrin continued, walking quickly along the corridor. “Come now, we are late already, and I do not want you to miss Lord and Lady Montague’s receiving line. He is a marquess after all, and one does not leave a marquess and marchioness waiting!”

  Hurrying after Lady Perrin, Charlotte tried not to cringe at the cries of irritation coming from Lady Emma. It was not a surprise to see her stepsister act this way, of course—for Lady Emma was something of a spoilt child, who insisted on having everything her way. Her father, of course, had given her everything she could wish for, wanting to do his best for his daughter, but that had, unfortunately, resulted in Lady Emma becoming something of a selfish creature.

  Things had already begun to change, given that the earl was now married and would focus his affections and attentions on his new wife, but the presence of Lady Perrin—the earl’s older sister—had already proven a little trying for Lady Emma.

  Lady Perrin was made of sterner stuff than her brother and certainly was not giving in to Lady Emma in the way her father might have done. Secretly, Charlotte thought that this was for the best, although it was causing something of an upset in what she had been told was normally a quiet household.

  “The carriage is already waiting, Emma,” Lady Perrin said sharply, as they walked towards the front door where Emma was busy fussing with her shawl. “Now stop that shrieking and make your way to the carriage, if you please.”

  Lady Emma stomped her foot. “Aunt, I simply cannot—”

  “Then we shall go without you,” came the crisp reply. “Come, Miss Richardson.”

  Charlotte did not dare glance at her stepsister, not wanting to add fuel to the fire. Instead, she did as she was asked, made her way outdoors, and took the hand of the coachman, who helped her inside. Lady Perrin followed soon after, as did a very angry-looking Lady Emma. Lady Perrin knocked on the roof; the door was closed; and away the carriage went.

  “You may as well take that dreadful look off your face, Emma,” Lady Perrin said calmly, looking out of the window instead of at her niece. “You are being utterly ridiculous.”

  Lady Emma muttered something under her breath and glared at Charlotte, who turned her gaze away at once.

  “You are looking quite lovely this evening, if I may say,” Lady Perrin continued, turning her head to fix Charlotte with a smile. “Have you any particular gentlemen callers that I should know of?”

  Charlotte blushed deeply as Lady Emma cackled loudly.

  “Charlotte? Have callers?” Lady Emma sneered, sounding stunned that her aunt would have thought as much. “Goodness, Aunt, you are being quite ridiculous now. Charlotte cannot gain anyone’s attention, not with her coloring!”

  “Hold your tongue!”

  Lady Perrin’s mouth was a thin line, as she sliced the air with her hand. A stunned silence came across the carriage, as Lady Emma looked as though she had been struck and settled back in her seat with a look of pain on her face.

  “Where you got that tongue from, I will never know!” Lady Perrin exclaimed, clearly upset with her niece. “How dare you speak to Miss Richardson in such a way?”

  “Truly, I am not offended,” Charlotte interrupted, not wanting to cause a scene. “It is quite all right, I assure you. I understand that we are in a time of transition and things can be a little unsettled.” She gave Lady Perrin a small smile, ignoring the wave of shame and embarrassment that crashed over her again and again. “Do not trouble yourself.”

  Lady Perrin frowned. “So long as you do not take my niece’s words to heart,” she replied firmly. “You have your own quiet beauty that I assure you will not go unnoticed.”

  Charlotte’s smile was a genuine one. “I thank you for your compliment, Lady Perrin. I will be honest, however. I have not met anyone of particular regard, given that I have long been out of society.”

  “That was hardly your fault,” came the reply.

  “No, it was not, and nor am I sorry for it,” Charlotte replied. “My year of mourning for my father did not even seem long enough at times. I am not sure I shall ever truly be free from the grief of his passing.”

  The carriage grew quiet, as Charlotte finished speaking. It was as though no one could quite work out what to say in response. Charlotte contented herself by looking out of the window, seeing the lamplighters already hard at work.

  “Well, I am quite sure you will find a great many gentlemen eager to sign your dance card this evening,” Lady Perrin remarked, breaking the silence as the carriage turned into the grounds of the Montague house. It had its own grounds and was one of the largest houses in town. Charlotte could not help but feel a little excited at the prospect of being at the ball of a marquess. She was the daughter of a viscount and therefore of a lower title than Lady Emma. Her chance of being seen as a good match by anyone of good breeding was not particularly high, but that did not matter too greatly to Charlotte. In her mind, Lady Emma would marry first, and then, mayhap, someone might find her reasonable enough to consider as a potential bride. After all, with her mother’s marriage to the Earl of Hardwick, her connections, at least, had improved.

  “Now, there is to be none of your nonsense this evening, Emma,” Lady Perrin warned, as they drew up to the house. “None of your catty remarks, and—so help me—should I hear you speak badly of your stepsister to anyone, then the consequences shall be quite severe.”

  From the slight look of worry on Lady Emma’s features, Charlotte could see that her stepsister knew her aunt was not shamming in the least. A warmth slowly spread across Charlotte’s chest as Lady Perrin smiled at her. The lady, it seemed, was quite determined to treat her as one of the family, for which Charlotte could not have been more grateful. It was a protection that she needed—for to have her stepsister spread gossip and rumors about her, it would have been a heavy burden to bear.

  “I thank you,” she murmured, as she alighted from the carriage and began to walk towards the steps leading to the front of the house. “You are very kind to me, Lady Perrin.”

  “You are family now, are you not?” Lady Perrin asked, in her firm manner. “And as family, we look out for one another. We do not fight like cats and dogs in the street.”

  Charlotte could not help but laugh, ignoring the way Lady Emma glared at her over her shoulder. “Indeed, we do not,” she replied, as they entered the house. “Then you must call me Charlotte, Lady Perrin. No more formality if we are meant to be family.”

  Lady Perrin’s eyes twinkled with a sudden spark, and Charlotte felt a flurry of affection blossom in her heart.

  “Then you may call me Aunt Agatha if you wish,” the lady replied softly. “Come now, enjoy yourself, Charlotte. After the pain you have been through in recent years, I wish for you to have as wonderful an evening as you can.”

  The lump in Charlotte’s throat took some time to disappear, but she managed to greet their hosts without too much difficulty. She was quite overcome with just how kind Lady Perrin had been to her. Seeing that Lady Emma hurried away to greet her friends and acquaintances almost at once, Charlotte chose to stay beside Lady Perrin as they entered the ballroom.

  The dancing was already in full swing, and Charlotte could not help but smile as she saw the colorful skirts twirling around the ballroom.

  “And does your mother permit you to waltz?”

  Charlotte smiled and nodded, remembering how her mother had agreed to such a thing only a year or so prior to this event. “Yes, some time ago, although I confess I have not had much opportunity to do so!”

  Lady Perrin regarded her carefully. “Is it because you do not know a great many of those present?”

  “No, indeed,�
� Charlotte replied quickly. “I have some very dear friends in London, but after my year of mourning, I found it somewhat difficult to return to the way life had been before.”

  “I see,” Lady Perrin murmured thoughtfully. “I believe I understand.”

  Charlotte made to explain further, only for one of her very dear friends, Miss Augusta, to approach. Delighted to see her, Charlotte grasped her friend’s hands and quickly introduced her to Lady Perrin. Once the appropriate introductions had been made, Lady Perrin excused herself, and with a reminder to Charlotte to enjoy herself, she made her way towards where the other companions and wallflowers sat.

  “I have not offended your aunt, I hope?” Augusta asked, her light blue eyes filled with puzzlement. “She took her leave very quickly.”

  Shaking her head, Charlotte laughed softly. “She insists that I have the most wonderful of evenings, and I believe that she thinks her presence by my side will prevent that.”

  “Oh,” Augusta murmured, her eyes still following Lady Perrin. “Is she quite good to you then?”

  Charlotte nodded. “She is, yes.”

  “Kinder than her niece?”

  Aware that Augusta knew of how Lady Emma had treated her in the two weeks they had been living together in London, Charlotte sighed heavily. “Lady Perrin is firm yet fair. She frustrates Lady Emma terribly, and the house has not had a day without some kind of falling out between them.”

  Augusta frowned and looped her arm through Charlotte’s. “Lady Emma does not want a sister, it seems.”

  “No,” Charlotte agreed sadly. “It seems she does not.” Taking a breath, she gave herself a small shake, refusing to dwell in melancholy. “However, I am quite determined to do just as Lady Perrin said and have a wonderful evening. Thus far, we have only been to card parties and recitals, so I am looking forward to having at least one dance.”