Lady's Wager

by Georgie Lee

  Charlotte moved to decline but Lord Woodcliff spoke first.

  “It would be our pleasure.”

  He took her hand and she followed him in a haze to their position on the dance floor. As the music played, the couples whirled through the steps, and it was all Charlotte could do to keep up or not appear as though she were attending a wake. What had she done? What would her aunt and uncle say? A scandal was sure to ensue for she couldn’t marry Lord Woodcliff, especially under such circumstances. She should have been more reserved like Aunt Mary always advised, then she never would’ve gotten herself in this ridiculous mess.

  “Aren’t you pleased?” Lord Woodcliff whispered as he clasped her hand to lead her through a circle.

  She refused to acknowledge him or how hard it was to breathe with him so close. If the engagement were allowed to stand, she’d be much closer to him soon. No, it couldn’t stand. “I don’t wish to discuss the matter tonight.”

  During a turn, she caught Lady Redding whispering to Aunt Mary who listened with wide-eyed shock. Did Lady Redding know? Did Aunt Mary now know? Charlotte wanted to rush over to the ladies and find out, but she couldn’t leave the dance until it was over.

  After what seemed an eternity, the music ended. She curtseyed to Lord Woodcliff then made for Aunt Mary, forcing herself not to look back at him, or anyone else who might be watching her. She could imagine them whispering about her and what they would say tomorrow when the truth behind the wager was revealed. It wouldn’t be revealed, she’d see to it.

  “I have a headache and wish to leave,” she announced.

  “We’ll do no such thing. If you’re well enough to wager away your future, you’re well enough to sit through the rest of the evening,” Aunt Mary scolded.

  “How do you know?”

  “Lady Redding told me. She had it in confidence from Lord Woodcliff’s father that he planned to offer for you tonight but I didn’t think he’d resort to such theatrics. Of course, given your stubbornness, I can see now why he did.”

  Charlotte crossed her arms in defiance. “He’s won nothing for I’ll refuse him.”

  *****

  “You can’t refuse him,” Uncle Charles answered from across the breakfast table.

  Charlotte gaped at him, stunned. Aunt Mary had informed him of the wager the moment they’d arrived home and Charlotte had spent a fitful night worrying about what he might say. She never imagined he’d force her to honor such a debt.

  “But I was gulled.” She flung down her serviette and pushed away from the table to pace the room.

  “As your encounter with Mr. Brummell made the rounds, so will this. To refuse him now will cause you an embarrassment from which you may never recover. You can’t raise funds for the hospital if you’re not received in society,” Uncle Charles reasoned.

  Charlotte sat down on the settee, dejected and Minnie hurried to her, hopping onto her lap and nuzzling her hand. Charlotte stroked the dog absentmindedly as the full truth of the situation descended on her. Uncle Charles was right and she chided herself again for having been so foolish.

  “Do neither of you care for my future happiness?” Charlotte asked weakly.

  Uncle Charles sat down next to her, a measure of pity in his countenance. “I’ve inquired into Lord Woodcliff and he’s well regarded. He shares your interests and desire to travel and I believe you could be very happy together, if you’ll put aside your pride and accept his affection.”

  “I’d hardly call it affection since we’ve barely enjoyed more than one or two civil conversations together.” It was a lie but she couldn’t think of a better argument. There did exist between them something deeper than idle talk or heated debates. She’d caught it in the quiet moments in Hyde Park and the things they’d shared at Almack’s. Whether it was enough to build a marriage on, she wasn’t sure. She’d intended to get to know him better and see where it led. She never expected it would be to the altar, at least not so soon.

  Aunt Mary joined them, sitting on Charlotte’s other side. “Think what you can do as Lady Woodcliff and how many more hospitals you can help.”

  “Lady Woodcliff to a man who only desires me to replenish his family’s fortune.” Her experience with the Comte was repeating itself again, except this time it would end with a different marriage – hers.

  Aunt Mary heaved an exasperated sigh. “I’ve seen nothing in his behavior with you to arouse such suspicion.”

  “And we’ll make the necessary trust arrangements to guard your inheritance,” Uncle Charles assured.

  “See, you have nothing to worry about.”Aunt Mary patted her hand cheerfully.

  Before Charlotte could reply, they were interrupted by a knock at the morning room door.

  “Enter,” Uncle Charles called and as soon as the butler opened the door, Minnie leapt from Charlotte’s lap and hurried into the hallway. Her excited bark revealed the identity of their guest before the butler could, increasing Charlotte’s anxiety. The time needed to think, to ponder, to find a way out of this situation was suddenly gone.

  “Lord Woodcliff to see you sir,”

  Uncle Charles nodded. “Show him to my office. I’ll be with him shortly.”

  The butler left, closing the door behind him.

  Uncle Charles turned to Charlotte. “Will you have him?”

  She twisted the sash of her dress through her fingers as her aunt and uncle waited for her answer. If she refused him, she might be ruined along with her ability to help the hospital. As a married lady, her circle of friends would increase and with it her ability to solicit patrons. She rose to pace the length of the rug, weighing the consequences of all the options. She struggled to find one more suitable than the other but they tumbled through her mind faster than she could sort them out. She wasn’t prepared to make such a decision, but it seemed as though it was being made for her and this upset her even more. It was everything she didn’t want in choosing a husband, everything she’d feared. Yet strangely, in the midst of all her uncertainty, there existed more surety in this morning than in the morning the Comte had sent his parting note.

  Aunt Mary moved to rise but Uncle Charles stopped her. He approached Charlotte, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.

  “I rarely ask anything of you, but I ask you to make a genuine effort to be pleasant to Lord Woodcliff because I believe both of you can be happy together. In the meantime I’ll continue to research his background. If, after a reasonable amount of time and effort on your part, you don’t find him an agreeable man who’ll make you a good husband, or if I discover something objectionable, I’ll allow you to break the engagement. But don’t be cross with him simply to be cross or I’ll see through the sham and call it for what it is.”

  “You’d force me to marry him?”

  “No, but a broken engagement isn’t a thing to be taken lightly. Besides, despite all your protestation, I suspect you do harbor some fondness for him.”

  Charlotte looked down at the roses woven in the carpet. She cared deeply for Lord Woodcliff but she couldn’t allow her regard to blind her to the truth of his character or intentions like it had with the Comte. They hadn’t sprung the parson’s mousetrap yet and there was still time to discover his true motives. If all he wanted was her fortune, she could break the engagement. Charlotte felt this was a gamble she couldn’t lose.

  “Will you have him?” Uncle Charles asked again.

  Charlotte nodded. “I will.”

  Aunt Mary threw her plump arms around Charlotte in giddy excitement. “Oh my dear, I’m so happy for you. And now we can purchase your trousseau.”

  “I’ll speak to him,” Uncle Charles said. “Would you like to see him when we’re finished?”

  “Yes.” She had a few things of her own to discuss with her betrothed.

  “Good. Don’t worry, things will work out, you’ll see.” Uncle Charles planted a small kiss on Charlotte’s forehead then made for the drawing room door.

  *****

  Edward
waited for Mr. Stuart in the cluttered office, moving about the room to admire the many items and articles from India and the Colonies. He picked up a strange hatchet from the bookcase and turned it over in his hands, the bright feathers hanging off the carved wooden handle brushing his sleeve.

  Mr. Stuart having a weapon so close at hand didn’t ease Edward’s concerns. After the salon, his father had been kind enough to point out how Miss Stuart might have accepted him in the heat of the moment, but it didn’t mean she, or her family, would allow the engagement to stand. Only his father, Henry and Lady Redding knew the secret of his proposal, leaving Miss Stuart free to cry off without being labeled a jilt, though Edward doubted such a title would dissuade her from refusing him. Even if she did maintain the engagement, Mr. Stuart might be outraged at Edward having made an offer without consulting him, especially one which risked compromising his niece.

  “It’s called a tomahawk. The Indians use those in the Colonies to dispatch their enemies. They’re quite adept with them,” Mr. Stuart explained as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

  Edward returned the weapon to the bookshelf, wondering how Mr. Stuart intended to dispatch him. “I’d hate to be on the wrong end of such a weapon.”

  “It does have a sting.” Mr. Stuart sat down behind his desk, and Edward settled into one of the two leather chairs positioned before it.

  “Care for a drink?” Mr. Stuart reached for the bell to ring for his butler but Edward raised a staying hand.

  “No, I need a clear head to meet this morning.”

  “I’ve spoken with my niece, Lord Woodcliff.” He set the bell down and leaned back in his chair.

  Edward sat forward in his, unable to tell if Mr. Stuart was pleased or disappointed. He’d seemed good-natured and easygoing at White’s, but on the issue of his niece’s future happiness the gentleman might have a different countenance.

  “Sir, I know the circumstances surrounding my proposal were unusual.”

  “And probably quite necessary given my niece’s nature.” Mr. Stuart tapped his fingertips together over his chest. “Do you really want to contract an engagement under these circumstances?”

  “I love your niece and I know she loves me.”

  Mr. Stuart’s hands paused in their tapping. “She told you this?”

  “No, not in words, but in other, more subtle ways. I never would’ve proposed if I’d though she didn’t, though, if she’d been more amenable to the idea of marriage I might have recommended myself differently.”

  “I see. If you believe you’ve won her heart, then you have my blessing, but there must be stipulations. My niece is a wealthy woman in her own right and as her guardian, I’ll do all I can to protect her and her fortune.”

  “I assure you, I have no interest in her money. I have an income of ten thousand pounds a year.”

  Mr. Stuart’s jaw fell open. “But I’d heard you were in strained circumstances.”

  “I’ve encountered too many young ladies with little interest in me beyond my title and income. Like Miss Stuart, I seek love, not status or wealth, so before I came to London, I had it put about my family’s fortune was much reduced.”

  “You have more in common with Charlotte than I suspected.” Mr. Stuart rubbed the curved arm of the chair. “Why didn’t you tell her and remove at least this one objection?”

  “I wish to earn her trust and love and tell her when I’m sure my small indiscretion will make no difference. Until then, I ask you to keep my income a secret.”

  “I will, but I’ll also pay a call on your father to confirm it and discuss the marriage settlement.”

  “Then she’s accepted me?” he asked, unable to endure the suspense any longer.

  “She’s accepted your proposal. It may take some time and work before she accepts you.” Mr. Stuart rose with a laugh. “Would you like to speak with your intended?”

  *****

  Charlotte paced the drawing room, Minnie jumping at the back of her dress in an attempt to attract her attention.

  “Please stop pacing or you’ll wear out the carpet,” Aunt Mary requested from where she sat reading on the settee.

  “How can you be so calm?”

  “My dear, you had the opportunity to avoid the situation but you chose not to.” Aunt Mary leisurely turned the page of her book. “Besides, you never would’ve accepted him if you didn’t truly like him.”

  Charlotte stopped and stared at Aunt Mary, surprised by how much her aunt had guessed. However, she wasn’t about to give her aunt the satisfaction of hearing her admit it. “I thought I could put an end to his interest by refusing him once and for all. I never thought I’d lose.”

  “Gamblers never do my dear, that’s why they run up such great debt and are forced to flee abroad.” With a flick of her finger, she turned one page.

  “You warned me so many times to be careful. I wish I’d listened.”

  “You’ll be glad you didn’t. You’ll find many advantages in both your understanding and your marriage.”

  Charlotte snorted in disbelief. “I’ve yet to see one advantage, for everywhere there are ladies forgotten or ruined by love.”

  Aunt Mary tossed her book aside. “Have you failed to notice how a married lady’s behavior and interests are scrutinized far less than those of an unmarried lady’s? Lady Holland and Lady Redding enjoy their salons with little question. Can you deny those examples? Or think on Mrs. Greenville, she says just as she pleases and no one denies her an invitation or her rightful place in society.”

  “They only gossip behind her back.”

  “But they don’t say it directly to her and she enjoys all the privileges of her station.”

  “Surely it can’t be so simple.”

  “It isn’t, but trust me my dear, I know well the advantages of marriage. In my youth many ladies departed for the grand tour. I loved reading their accounts of foreign lands and I wanted nothing more than to go too, much to my mother’s disapproval. She said unmarried ladies shouldn’t travel, so I stayed at home. Then I met Charles and he showed me the world.” She turned her gold and diamond wedding band on her finger before facing Charlotte again. “Yes, there are narrow-minded and selfish husbands but I don’t believe Lord Woodcliff is such a man. As his wife, you’ll enjoy both his love and your freedom, which is a precious thing indeed.”

  Charlotte dropped her hands to her sides, knowing her aunt was right. Before she could tell her aunt, the drawing room door opened and Uncle Charles and Lord Woodcliff entered.

  She may have wanted to escape from him last night, and even a moment ago, but she thrilled at the sight of him now. The morning sunlight reflected in his blue eyes, the corners of which crinkled as he admired her. She took a step forward, wanting to wrap her arms around his trim waist, lay her head on his soft coat and listen to his heartbeat beneath her ear. Instead, she remained where she was, afraid to show such exuberance. She’d guarded her heart for so long, she wasn’t sure how to let it be free, nor was this the time and place to learn.

  “We’ve spoken and you both have my blessing,” Uncle Charles announced, placing his arm around his wife’s shoulders as she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. “Perhaps we should leave them alone for a moment.”

  Aunt Mary sniffled in agreement and allowed her husband to lead her out of the room.

  “I have something for you.” Lord Woodcliff reached into his breast pocket and produced a small, velvet box. He opened it to reveal a beautiful emerald and diamond ring.

  Charlotte gasped at the dazzling jewel. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I saw this in Italy and had to have it. At the time I didn’t know why. Then I saw you at the Royal Academy and the way your eyes seemed so green when you smiled, I realized this was meant for you.” Lord Woodcliff raised her hand and slid the ring over her finger, his touch heady and strong. “I understand your misgivings and I’ll do everything I can to overcome them if it means winning your trust, for I know I have your heart.”<
br />
  A thousand thoughts flew through her mind and before she could give rise to any of them he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. She closed her eyes and melted into the arc of him as his arms encircled her waist. All the vows implied by the ring and his kiss filled her. No man, not even the Comte, had touched her so deeply or with such simple words and actions, yet the man she’d thought she’d hated had admired her from the first moment they’d met. She wrapped her hands around his neck, surrendering to him as she never had to any man before. He wouldn’t betray her, but would keep her heart as firmly as he held her body now. It was what she’d always wished for and fulfilled the promise given in his kiss.

  At last, and to her regret, he broke from her, leaving his arms to rest heavily against her back. “Would you join me for a ride this evening?”

  “I’m not an accomplished horsewoman so a carriage would be much preferred.”

  “Then a carriage you’ll have. Until tonight, my love.”

  He slid his arms out from around her, catching her hand in his and raising it to his lips as he bowed. With a subtle squeeze of her fingers, he let go and walked away, pausing at the door to wink at her before disappearing into the hallway.

  Charlotte stood dumbfounded in the middle of the room until the sound of the front door closing brought her back to her senses. She hurried to the window to watch him walk to his waiting chaise and rapped her knuckles on the window to catch his attention. He turned and waved and she eagerly waved back before he disappeared inside the carriage and the driver snapped the reins, maneuvering the vehicle down the street.

  Charlotte dropped into the small chair beside the window and held up her left hand, admiring the beautiful ring as it sparkled in the morning sun. A sense of contentment she’d never known before enveloped her. In the splash of green light over her lap, she pictured a different future than any she’d previously imagined. With Lord Woodcliff sharing her interests and the secrets of her heart, she’d never experience again the loneliness which had marked so many of her days. London was at last the place she wanted to be, as long as Lord Woodcliff was by her side.