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The Garden of Eden at the Beckett estate had a resident serpent that amused Charlotte. Benjamin, a scalawag at heart, no doubt embarrassed the viscount as well as his brother and Albert. If only she could get to know him better, Charlotte thought they could become great friends. The evening ahead would tempt her to align herself with Benjamin’s gregarious personality rather than deal with the other pompous family members at the dinner table. Nevertheless, she had a responsibility to see the game through to the end and play her last card. Albert would never succumb to seduction if she didn’t turn into the type of woman he desired.
A soft knock came at her bedroom door. As she opened it, Albert stood before her dressed in his evening finery for the dinner hour. He looked delicious, and an urge to kiss him tingled on her lips. Regardless of his less than appealing personality, a growing admiration for intimacy had become a temptation she struggled with daily.
“You look quite pleasing this evening, Albert.” He eyed her appearance in return. Charlotte had chosen the perfect dress for the occasion. A deep purple gown trimmed in white lace had a modest neckline. Her delicate shoulders hid from admiration, and her sleeves puffed fashionably outward on both sides. Even her jewelry appeared in good taste as well as her hair she had piled upon her head in fashionable perfection.
“You look quite modest this evening.” Albert scowled.
“Don’t you like my dress?” Charlotte felt stung by his reaction.
“I understand you are dressing respectably to impress my family,” he replied. “It’s just surprising to see you fully clothed, protecting your assets.” Albert flashed a mischievous glance at her bosom.
“Well, I’m a woman of many facets,” Charlotte responded in a huff. “You should know that by now.”
“Yes, an enigma, as Cedric mentioned.”
He offered his arm to escort her downstairs, and Charlotte took it without hesitation.
“You overcomplicate my character, Albert, and will probably never understand my motivations.”
“Obviously,” he drawled.
They reached the parlor, and Charlotte saw an unrecognizable face with another woman. Naturally, she assumed it to be Roger. He eyed her with curiosity, but she could not ascertain if he approved of her appearance or not. After gazing at him for a moment, she recognized suspiciousness behind his dark brown eyes.
“May I introduce you to my son Roger,” the viscount proudly remarked.
Charlotte, remembering her faux pas earlier in the day, waited to be spoken to rather than offering any words of greeting. Roger didn’t hesitate to voice a salutation.
“Lady Rutherford,” he began somberly. “Compliments regarding your person have been expressed since my arrival by my father. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He hesitated momentarily and turned toward his wife. “Might I introduce you to my wife, Anne.”
Charlotte nodded in deference to the two and spoke calmly, although her nerves churned inside her belly. The odds may be against her in Albert’s eyes that she could succeed in deceiving his family, but she intended to win the game.
“It’s my pleasure to make your acquaintance. Your family has been most welcoming since my arrival.”
“Dinner is served.”
The booming voice of the butler startled Charlotte. Benjamin rose to the occasion to escort her to the dining room, and Albert gave an approving glance to take his arm. No doubt he hoped the rascal would tempt her failure.
The table shone with crystal glasses, polished cutlery, and fine china. Silver candelabras and flowers adorned the tabletop covered in white linen. Everything and everyone looked like the pictured perfection of high society. After sitting, she took a moment to eye Anne, who hadn’t spoken a word since introductions. Suddenly, like a gramophone playing a recording, Albert’s words danced across her mind.
“A woman who is acceptable to society should possess a high moral character, a polished education, a perfect command of temper, along with good manners, good habits, and a good bearing. These qualities are indispensable.”
Anne sat with such perfection of posture and poise, Charlotte judged her as both submissive to her husband but also conceited in her own right. Roger’s smug countenance nearly gagged Charlotte, and she found herself disliking him as the minutes passed. There was something in his gaze each time their eyes met she found disagreeable. Had he heard of her escapades in London? Did he know her deceased husband? It worried her that he may ruin her success, having read the newspapers about her scandalous dip in the lake. The viscount at least had been tolerable in his dealings thus far, so she decided to continue to influence him instead.
The first course of soup arrived. Albert remained reserved and far too quiet for her taste, but she dared not be a conversational loose woman. The viscount eventually started a conversation.
“Albert, what pleasantries have you been up to in London this season?”
Charlotte stiffened in posture as she awaited his answer, hoping he wouldn’t bring up her half-naked swim. After all, he participated in a moment of frivolous splashing too, which might be frowned upon by family members.
“Nothing of great significance,” he nonchalantly answered. “The usual attendance at a soiree, the opera, and a few leisurely outdoor activities.” He turned and smiled warmly at Charlotte. “We’ve been taking our time getting to know one another with conversation and enjoyable activities.”
“Good. Much is to be said about congenial conversation with a lady who possesses shared interests.” He looked at Charlotte with an agreeable glint in his eye. “I dare say it appears you have met a lady of breeding and quality. I’m quite pleased.”
Naturally, Charlotte responded with a humble acknowledgment. “Thank you for the compliment. It’s most kind of you.”
The dinner progressed without further incident, and Charlotte enjoyed the finely cooked meal. Roger proved to be a man of few words. Anne remained silent. Benjamin and Albert chitchat about a few inconsequential matters while the viscount as head of the family oversaw his brood of socially acceptable domestic members.
Confident she had done well, Charlotte relaxed in the knowledge that soon Albert would receive a stamp of approval to propose marriage. The thought it might occur brought a small sense of pleasure, but she quickly pushed it aside, acknowledging they were far too different from one another to be compatible in matrimony.
****
DINNER HAD GONE WELL, far beyond Albert’s expectations. He sat at the table, smoking a cigar and drinking port with his uncle and cousins. Charlotte had excused herself and retired for the evening. Anne had done the same, appearing more reserved than usual. Relaxed and victorious in his pursuits, Albert put the question to his family.
“May I ask your impressions of Lady Rutherford? Do you find her congenial?”
After taking a puff from his cigar, his uncle responded, “Yes, she is a pleasant individual, obviously well-bred and knows how to handle herself in social situations.”
“I find her a bore,” Benjamin interjected. “Definitely not my type.”
“I concur with Father,” Roger responded. “She is a delightful lady, Albert. Where did you find her? Are you seriously considering offering your hand in marriage?”
Albert nearly choked. The entire evening, he could not ascertain Roger’s sentiments. Of course, he always found it tedious to discern any of Roger’s thoughts. His cousin kept his views private until he deemed it necessary to express an opinion on any matter.
“Marriage? I’m afraid I’m not quite ready to get down on one knee.”
“You’ll never find the right woman.” Benjamin laughed. “You are far too fussy. Besides, with all that red hair, she’s probably of Irish descent.”
Albert saw his uncle’s distress at the thought.
“She’s not Irish,” Albert quickly clarified.
“Does she come from a respectable family?” his uncle inquired.
“Yes, Charlotte’s father is an earl, well respected.” Another lie slipped from his mouth, and he felt terrible for the deceit.
“Well, I find no fault. It is wise to be prudent, however, in search of a wife,” the viscount concluded.
Prudent. Albert sat quietly pondering Charlotte. When she put her mind to it, she could display the qualities he required in a woman of good society. Regardless of her shady and disreputable behavior of the past, he doubted the sincerity of her so-called reform. She merely played a game as did he.
“I see you are pondering the possibility of proposing,” his uncle remarked. “Even though you’re not my son, I’m well acquainted with your mannerisms when something is on your mind.”
Surprised at his uncle’s comment, Albert played along. “Perhaps I shall consider it, but I’ve made no firm decision.”
Because it had all been a ruse, Albert could not commit himself to such a lie. Instead, he left a door open to back out from any decision of marriage. If only Charlotte would change, perhaps asking for her hand in marriage would not be so ludicrous after all.
