one of my oldest friends? He is comfortable, you know. Perhaps not as rich as...’
Charlotte’s mind drifted away as she glanced out of the window, watching the fashionable ladies and gentlemen promenading in the busy streets. The morning had flown and they would have time only to collect their shawls before returning home for nuncheon.
Mama was still droning on about how fortunate it was that they should meet her friend, as she was driving away, and Charlotte managed to stifle her sigh. She supposed that Mama must review every gentleman they encountered as a possible husband for her daughter, but she wished she would not jump to the idea of marriage so swiftly. It was not that she disliked Sir Percival. Indeed, she would prefer him to the father of three motherless children, but Charlotte was still hoping for more. Surely she was entitled to a little romance before she settled for marriage?
* * *
When they were set down outside their lodgings in the fashionable square, she shook out the folds of her gown and walked into the house a little ahead of her mother. She stopped abruptly as she saw her father; he was bidding farewell to a gentleman, who had clearly been visiting while they were out.
Charlotte’s heart caught with a mixture of shock and pleasure, for it was the viscount, and mixed with the relief that he had at last called on them was the fear that he might recognise her from the previous night.
‘Ah, Charlotte my dear.’ Her father’s warm deep voice reached out to her. ‘You have returned just in time to meet Captain Viscount Delsey—he lives in the house opposite, just across the square, and kindly called on me this morning to invite us all to a dinner and cards one evening next week. Sir, this is my daughter, Charlotte.’
Charlotte took off her bonnet and shook out her long dark ringlets, extending her hand towards their visitor as she dipped gracefully. ‘I am delighted to meet you, sir, and sorry we were out all morning.’
‘No matter,’ he murmured, lifting her hand to drop an air kiss just fractionally above the soft leather glove. ‘I was happy to meet your father—and your charming brother. Matthew is to attend a card party with me another evening, but I believe we are all promised to Lord Markham this evening.’
‘Yes, we are looking forward to it,’ she said, her heart fluttering as he gave her an intent look before releasing her hand. She glanced down, her long lashes hiding the fluttering emotions inside her. Could he possibly have recognised her from that brief glance the previous night—or was it just her guilt that made her think his gaze narrowed in speculation?
‘As am I,’ he replied gallantly. ‘Will you grant me the privilege of a dance for this evening—preferably a waltz? I trust you do waltz, Miss Stevens?’
‘Yes, Captain Delsey, I do and I shall,’ she replied, demurely. ‘I have waltzed in Bath several times, and in town, with the approval of Lady Jersey, who is a great friend of Mama’s and granted me vouchers for Almack’s. I am older than I look, you see.’
She saw an answering gleam of humour in his eyes, his brows rising to tease her. ‘I would hazard a guess at eighteen?’
‘I am more than nineteen,’ she murmured in a soft voice. ‘It is my size, you understand. People think because I am petite I must be younger.’
‘Ah, such a great age,’ he murmured. ‘One would think you hardly above fourteen if one saw you briefly from a distance...’ His eyes held a look of mocking amusement that made her heart thud rapidly.
Was he hinting that he had recognised the urchin of the previous evening? Her gaze fell away in confusion for she was unsure how to reply.
Fortunately, her mama had entered the house, and, after taking off her shawls, bonnet and gloves, looked expectantly towards the viscount. The introductions were made and Charlotte was able to move on towards the stairs. She was about to climb them, when she heard herself addressed and turned once more to see that the viscount had spoken directly to her.
‘I was wondering if you and Lady Stevens would like to drive to Richmond with me on Friday, Miss Stevens? My sister, Lady Sally Harrison, has got up a picnic to watch a balloon ascension and she asked me to bring some friends with me. I have invited two gentlemen, who will ride—but there is room in my curricle for both of you.’
‘We should enjoy that very much,’ Mama answered for her. ‘It is kind of you, sir—and your cousin. We are not yet acquainted with Lady Harrison.’
‘Then I shall remedy that this evening,’ he promised, bowed deeply to her and sent Charlotte a knowing smile before leaving.
‘Well, what a charming young man,’ Lady Stevens said as she followed her daughter to the landing above. ‘I hardly dared to hope that he would call on us. I expected we might meet in company, but to call on your father shows true consideration, my dear.’
‘So you approve of him now, Mama,’ Charlotte said, struggling not to laugh. ‘Why, only the other day you called him a hardened rake—I’m sure you did.’
‘I did not think then that he would pay you the least attention,’ her mother said sharply. ‘You are a pretty girl, Charlotte. No one could deny that, but you have little fortune to recommend you and I do not expect every gentleman we meet to fall at your feet. That is why you must make the most of your chances...not that I am suggesting the viscount is a chance for you. Charming as he may be, I do not expect an offer from him.’
Charlotte turned away without answering. She suspected that Captain Viscount Delsey had called this morning to discover whether his suspicions concerning her were correct. Had he seen her prior to that escapade last night? Or had he somehow seen her return to her home in the early hours of the morning?
She had not dared to hire a cab, walking swiftly through the streets and keeping to the shadows as much as possible. However, if he had done so, he might have arrived at the same time as she did, if perhaps he’d delayed his return for some minutes before taking the cab. Charlotte was almost sure he knew the young urchin he’d rescued had been her in disguise, but she would deny it if he asked. It would be too risky to admit where she’d been and what she’d done that evening.
He had seemed to be amused. She could only hope that he would not betray her secret, as it could ruin her family.
Alone in her room, Charlotte glanced in the mirror. There was a sparkle in her eyes that she did not think had been there earlier. She sensed a challenge ahead and a hint of danger, for the viscount was a flirt and a rake and she had done something that might make him think she was careless of her reputation.
Supposing he tried to take advantage of his knowledge? Her stomach clenched with nerves, because she knew that one hint of what she’d done the previous night would ruin her.
Surely, Captain Delsey was too much the man of honour to tell anyone else what he knew?
Perhaps if she had a chance that evening, she could appeal to his sense of chivalry. But what excuse could she give? To tell him that she’d stolen back a necklace given by her brother in payment of a debt was shameful and would destroy any lingering good opinion he had of her and her dearest Matt. Yet what else could she tell him?
Try as she might, Charlotte could not think of an excuse that would not make her seem either wanton or dishonest. All she could do was to hope that he would keep her secret without being asked.
* * *
It was a long afternoon for Charlotte.
