Her mother, having seen Charlotte’s exhaustion, hid a yawn of her own. “Goodness,” she said, “I am beginning to feel rather fatigued.”
“Shall we wait for the next dance to finish before departing?” Mr. Rosebury asked, and the small party nodded in accord.
Charlotte plastered a smile upon her face, however, for her heart sank as she thought of Gabriel dancing with yet another pretty girl while she stood by and watched.
Then do not stand by and watch him, you silly girl, she thought to herself. Ask your father. He is not repulsed by your kindness.
Just before she turned to face Mr. Rosebury, however, Charlotte caught sight of Gabriel staring in her direction, and her heart nearly leapt to her throat.
“Miss Rosebury,” Gabriel began with his deep voice, “would you—”
His words were interrupted, however, when another gentleman cleared his throat behind Charlotte, and she turned to see Mr. Dryden, a tall, stout man, smiling handsomely next to her.
“Good evening, Mr. Dryden.”
“Would you care to dance, Miss Rosebury?” he asked, and Charlotte’s heart dropped.
“Oh, I…”
She paused, glancing over her shoulder to where Gabriel stood, and hope blossomed within her to see clear disappointment in his eyes before he quickly averted his gaze.
“I am sorry, Mr. Dryden,” Charlotte said in an instant, “but I have promised myself to another for this dance.”
Mr. Dryden nodded his understanding and left to ask another young woman nearby. However, Charlotte hardly noticed his departure, for her eyes met with Gabriel’s once again, and the two stared at one another in silence.
“For heaven’s sake, son,” Mrs. Worthington said. “If you do not soon ask Miss Rosebury to dance, I will!”
Gabriel sent a look in his mother’s direction before stretching forth his hand to Charlotte.
“May I have this dance, Miss Rosebury?”
“Of course,” Charlotte replied with a smile, and Gabriel led her to the dance floor before they took their places in the set.
“I do hope you have had a pleasant evening, Mr. Worthington,” Charlotte said, grasping her hands together to hide their trembling after Gabriel’s touch.
“I have, thank you,” he said. “I have found the occupants of your village quite…attentive.”
“Oh, yes,” she said, nodding, “there is nowhere more friendly and welcoming than Stratford, if not to a fault.”
“Yes, I am apt to believe you.”
The music began, and Charlotte smiled, accepting Gabriel’s outstretched hand with her own as he pulled her closer.
Being in the center of their set and having less room to maneuver around one another, Charlotte took a step closer to Gabriel, and her breath caught in her throat when they brushed against each other. She glanced up, time seeming to stand still as their eyes locked, her heart swirling with unfamiliar feelings until their hands parted, and they faced each other once again.
For nearly the whole of the dance, Charlotte could not look away from Gabriel’s eyes, nor could she conjure a single word to say, so distracted she was with each touch they shared, her hands trembling and head swirling with so many thoughts she could not make sense of any of it until the music finally ended and applause broke out amongst the crowds.
Her gaze returned to Gabriel, and she accepted his hand before he led her from the dance floor, neither of them speaking a word until reaching their families.
“You two seemed to be enjoying yourselves,” Mr. Rosebury said with a pleasant smile.
Mrs. Rosebury nodded. “Oh, to be young and agile again.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” Mr. Rosebury said. “I know you to dance just as well, if not better, than these young people.”
Grateful for her parents’ conversation to distract the others from her reddened cheeks, Charlotte glanced up to see Gabriel staring straight ahead with a distant look in his eyes, the look remaining as they left the Seabrook’s home and until they arrived at Brightwood at last.
One by one, they filed out of the carriage until Charlotte, the last to exit, reached forth her hand for her father’s help. However, when she glanced up to see Gabriel’s hand holding her own, his handsome features illuminated by the carriage’s lantern, her heart skipped a beat, and she lost her footing before falling directly into the man’s strong arms.
She gasped with surprise, her hands instantly pressing against his waistcoat as she attempted to steady herself, his arms wrapping around her to stop her from falling further.
“Oh, do forgive me, Mr. Worthington,” she said, pushing herself away.
“Are you all right?” he asked, holding her elbows until she was steady.
“Indeed. I must have skipped a step in the darkness.”
She heard the carriage roll away as Gabriel released her, and only then did she realize they stood alone, their parents having already disappeared within Brightwood.
“Shall we join the others?” she asked after a moment in silence, praying her blush would remain invisible in the dim light.
“Of course, but I,” Gabriel began, “I wonder if I might ask you something before we continue inside.”
“Of course,” she said, her heart still racing from his touch.
“I was merely curious as to why you chose to dance with me, instead of the other gentleman.”
Fearing Gabriel might again assume she desired more than friendship with him, Charlotte scrambled for an answer.
“Well,” she said, “I suppose because, well, we are friends, after all, and it seemed only right to dance with you first.”
Pleased with her tactful answer, Charlotte smiled up at Gabriel, but confusion swirled within her mind when he frowned.
“Of course,” he said, motioning for her to precede him inside. “I should have thought as much.”
She hesitated only a moment before leading the way, only to realize, upon entering the doors of Brightwood, that Gabriel had not followed her.
***
Sitting in the drawing room the next evening, Charlotte glanced toward the door for what seemed the hundredth time, twirling a lock of her hair so fiercely around her finger that the strand became a giant, twisted knot.
As she attempted to unravel the tangled mess, she caught sight of Julia watching her with a coy smile.
“You seem anxious this evening, Charlotte,” she said.
“Do I? I cannot imagine why.”
“Truly?”
Charlotte sighed, giving up on the knot and stuffing the strand of hair into her chignon.
“I suppose you think me silly,” she said, folding her hands upon her lap in an attempt to stop from fidgeting, “for wishing to spend further time with a gentleman who, I am certain, does not wish for the same with me.”
“On the contrary. I think it all very romantic.”
“Romantic?” Charlotte asked, lowering her voice when their mother and Mrs. Worthington glanced to her from across the room. “How so?”
“You must know, Charlotte,” Julia began, “there is nothing more exciting than when a handsome gentleman pursues a beautiful woman.”
Charlotte’s mouth hung open. “Mr. Worthington, in my pursuit? You are quite mistaken, sister.”
“Not according to Mama and Papa.”
“What can you mean?” Charlotte asked, wary of Julia’s smile. “What have they said concerning the matter?”
“I may have overheard them speaking once or twice about the both of you,” Julia said as she smoothed down her skirts.
“And what exactly have you overheard?”
Before Charlotte could receive any further information, Gabriel and Mr. Rosebury entered the room, and Julia stood, a secretive grin upon her lips, before she left to stand near their mother.
Light conversations took place amongst the members of the group before yawns replaced words far too soon in the evening. As a result, Mrs. Rosebury stood from her seat with a small clap of her hands.
“We all seem rather tired due to last evening’s ball,” she said, “so what say you all to a little game of whist?”
“Excellent suggestion, my dear,” Mr. Rosebury agreed as Mrs. Worthington nodded. “Mr. Worthington, would you care to join us?”
“No, thank you,” Gabriel responded without hesitation, his back facing them as he stood in his usual spot near the window.
“Is whist not exciting enough?” Mr. Rosebury asked. “Perhaps you are better suited to a game of chess?”
“Oh, yes,” Mrs. Worthington piped in, “he does love chess.”
“Is that so?” asked Mrs. Rosebury. “Well, then you must play with our Charlotte. She enjoys the game, as well.”
Gabriel kept his back to the others, and as they awaited his response, Charlotte attempted to appear unaffected.
However, as his silence continued, Charlotte refused to be embarrassed any longer by his silence and asked, “Are you frightened I might defeat you, Mr. Worthington?”
Gabriel turned to face her, his hands behind his back, and she smiled to see her goading having worked, his blue-eyed gaze staring at her coolly.
“Very well, Miss Rosebury. Let us play.”
“Excellent,” Mr. Rosebury said, breaking through the tension in the room. “We four shall play whist together while you two play chess. Julia, let us be partners, yes?”
As the others began their game, Charlotte and Gabriel moved to the far side of the room where a chess board and pieces were already set up on a small table.
“I feel it only fair to warn you now, Mr. Worthington,” Charlotte began with a teasing grin, determined to lighten her spirits despite her disappointment with Gabriel clearly not wanting to join her, “I play very well. I would not blame you, should you choose to abandon the match before it has begun.”
“That will not be necessary.”
“Very well,” she said with a raised brow. “You may choose which side to play from first, then, for I do not wish to hear a single excuse when you have been defeated.”
Gabriel took the seat nearest him before scanning the white pieces. “You must remember, Miss Rosebury, pride has a tendency to cause a person to lose far more painfully than a person who is humble.”
“And I assume you believe you are the more humble out of the two of us?” she asked as she took her place behind the black pieces.
“Need you ask?”
Charlotte smiled before watching Gabriel contemplate his next move on the board, and she took the opportunity to study his handsome features, her eyes perusing over his strong jaw, striking blue eyes, and firm lips before they moved as he spoke.
“When you are finished staring at me, Miss Rosebury, you may take your turn.”
Heat rose to her forehead as she moved her first pawn.
“I was not staring at you,” she lied.
“You must excuse my mistake,” Gabriel said, “for I always believed staring to involve watching another for a significant length of time.”
His gaze remained on the board, but she was nearly sure she saw a small smile upon his lips as he took his next turn.
“If you must know,” Charlotte said, moving immediately after him, “I was simply studying you to determine your first move.”
“I see.”
Their next few turns passed by in silence before Charlotte spoke again.
“Do you not enjoy whist then?” she asked.
Gabriel shook his head. “I do not relish the mindlessness of it.”
“Hence the reason you enjoy chess.”
“Yes,” he said. “And yourself? I must admit, I have met very few women who take pleasure in this pastime.”
“My father has always loved to play,” Charlotte began with a smile, taking her turn as she continued, “and since my mother dislikes it, Father did not hesitate before teaching me when I was young. I must admit, though, I did not take to it in the beginning. I had some difficulty understanding the rules.”
“I can see how they may prove difficult for some.”
Charlotte glanced up to see a confident look upon Gabriel’s face, and she smiled.
“Perhaps I was too hasty in claiming I might win then,” she said.
“ ‘Might’ win?” Gabriel questioned dubiously. “Miss Rosebury, you very clearly stated there was no other option but for you to be triumphant.”
A small laugh escaped her lips, and her heart fluttered when he glanced up to watch her with an amused expression.
They continued taking their turns, their playful bantering turning into friendly conversation, until finally, after a quarter of an hour, Charlotte moved her rook forward and eyed the board with a satisfied smile.
“I believe it is your turn, Mr. Worthington,” she said, noting his frown when he did not move.
When he remained silent, she smiled.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No,” he responded before taking his turn.
Charlotte immediately moved her queen into place and glanced to Julia, who watched them from across the room.
“Are you winning?” she mouthed out, to which Charlotte responded with a happy nod.
“Would you mind ceasing your smiles until you have taken your turn?” Gabriel grumbled.
“Has something upset you, Mr. Worthington?”
“No, I simply wish to end the game before morning.”
“You shall not have to wait much longer then,” Charlotte said with a smile as she moved her final piece into play. “Check.”
She watched his reaction, saw his eyes darting from one end of the board to the next, and satisfaction filled her when he moved his own rook forward in an attempt to save his king.
In her next move, however, her queen advanced, and Charlotte leaned back in her chair with a pleased smile.
“Checkmate, Mr. Worthington.”
Her smile quickly disappeared, however, when Gabriel stood abruptly from his seat, his legs bumping into the table as pieces teetered to and fro until he promptly left the room without a single glance back.
“Whatever has happened, Charlotte?” Miss Rosebury asked with widened eyes.
“I won the match,” Charlotte responded simply.
All eyes turned to Mrs. Worthington when a sigh escaped her lips.
“Oh, dear,” she said. “I am afraid my son has never been one to accept defeat graciously.”
Charlotte nodded as she stared at the empty doorway before her.
“Yes, I noticed.”
And the room filled with laughter Charlotte was certain Gabriel could hear.
Chapter Six
“You know I will not tell Mama, Julia, but the streets are quite busy. I am certain she will hear eventually if you remove your bonnet.”
Charlotte motioned to the people passing by them as they sat upon a bench outside of Stratford’s baked goods shop, enjoying the pastries they had purchased on the unusually warm, autumn day.
Julia grumbled next to her. “When I am older, I shall never wear a bonnet again, especially one as frightful as this.”
Charlotte watched as her sister attempted to resituate her bonnet until the sun touched her cheeks more fully.
“There, that feels much better,” she said with a satisfied smile before reaching down to take a rather large bite of her jam tart, speaking in between her chews. “Now, let us continue with our conversation from before. You must tell me again why you do not believe Mr. Worthington’s much improved mood has everything to do with his spending more time with you. The gentleman has a clear and growing fondness for you, I am certain of it.”
Charlotte shook her head to rid herself of the image of Gabriel staring at her, and she looked down to examine her own fruit tart. “You are imagining things, Julia. We are merely friends.”
“And if he happens to change his mind and wishes to be more than friends?”
“He will not.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Charlotte frowned. “You and I both know he sai
d as much upon our first meeting.”
“Yes, but look at how much happier he is now. Perhaps he has changed but simply does not know how to tell you. I think you ought to ask him.”
Charlotte shook her head as she took a small bite of her fruit tart.
“In fact, I think now would be the perfect time.”
Her sister’s words caused Charlotte to glance up in confusion before she followed Julia’s line of sight to discover Gabriel himself striding toward them, his tall figure standing heads above those who walked nearby.
Her heart raced in her chest, and she swallowed the lump of food that had gone dry in her mouth before feeling the pastry slide down her throat.
“Oh, dear,” she said with discomfort.
“Charlotte—”
But her sister’s words were shortened as Charlotte coughed to free herself from the food.
“What is it, Julia?” she asked after taking a deep breath.
“Charlotte, you have something—”
“Good morning, Miss Rosebury, Miss Julia,” Gabriel’s deep voice said as he approached them.
Charlotte stood from the bench with Julia to greet him.
“How do you do, Mr. Worthington?”
“Very well, thank…you.”
His gaze dropped to her chin before an amused expression played upon his face.
“We did not know you were to come to Stratford this morning, or we would have invited you to join us,” Charlotte said, somewhat unnerved as she wondered what he found so comical.
“My mother only asked me this morning to post a letter for her,” Gabriel said, his eyes still focused upon her chin as his lips twitched. “Are you both to return to Brightwood soon?”
“I believe we are nearly ready, yes,” Charlotte said. “You would be most welcome to join us.”
“I shall post the letter then and return in just a moment,” Gabriel said, “thank you.”
He tipped his hat and turned to leave, only to say over his shoulder with a small smile upon his lips, “Do enjoy the rest of your fruit tart, Miss Rosebury.”
Charlotte smiled with anticipation to have Gabriel joining them on their return journey, but when she glanced to Julia to see a worried expression upon her brow, she frowned.
To Warm A Wintered Heart (Regency Romance) Page 6
