Gerard followed closely behind her, though there was something now that interested him keenly.
Blend in…
That was indeed what he wanted, but for the first time, he wondered if that was why Charlotte acted so properly too.
Perhaps like me, she hiding from the ton’s attention. Maybe there’s something else behind all of this.
In the teahouse, Gerard was careful to sit beside her.
“Mother, please,” Charlotte pleaded, her hands tightly clamping around her teacup.
Gerard was doing his best to hide his smile as he looked at Charlotte. She appeared quite mortified in her embarrassment, that blush permanently present on her face.
“Allow the duke a little time to drink his tea.” Charlotte forced a smile. “He has been answering your questions and has not been able to drink.”
“Oh, oops.” Lady Winchester sat back in her seat and laughed, as did her younger daughter at her side. “Do drink your tea, Your Grace. I shall go and pay for our tea.”
“Nay, let me do that, me lady.” Gerard hurried to stand. He knew well enough their money worries and would not ask them to pay for what had been a very enjoyable tea, listening to Lady Winchester’s incessant questions as poor Charlotte blushed more and more.
“Nonsense.” She waved her gloved hand at him and beckoned for Rose to follow her. “It was our treat. Stay with my eldest daughter whilst I go and pay, if you will, Your Grace.”
“Nay, please, allow me.” Gerard quite insisted and moved away from the table. Lady Winchester smiled fully and returned to her seat with Rose. Gerard stepped away to pay, just as he realized that Charlotte had actually followed him.
He turned and looked at Charlotte, raising an eyebrow as she waited by a till to pay. She lifted a hand and held it over her face, hiding from the world.
“Don’t say it?—”
“Yer mother seems keen for us to ken one another better,” he said with a chuckle. “Aye, very keen indeed to ken everything about me too.”
“Why do you always draw attention to things I wish you would not?” She lowered her hand enough to glare at him. “You should not talk of such humiliating things in public.”
“Consider that me next lesson, but I will say this.” He paused, leaning toward her, watching as Charlotte’s eyes flitted toward him over the rim of her cup. She lifted her freckled nose a little, those blue eyes shooting to his. There was an intensity in those eyes that made him stumble over his words for a second.
What is this?
He cleared his throat and continued on as best as he could. “I would always rather talk about real things with ye, me lady, than always put on a performance of what wethinkwe should be talkin’ about instead.”
She smiled a little, then hid that expression behind the covering of her teacup.
Across the room, Lady Winchester’s loud laugh could be heard. Many in the tearoom looked around, staring at her. Some raised their chins haughtily, in an attempt to look down their long noses at her.
Poor Charlotte flinched at their looks.
“Why are ye so embarrassed by her?” Gerard asked with a laugh.
“Have you not heard her?” Charlotte said simply as the laugh continued like a cackle. “I love my mother, dearly, but it must be said…” She paused as Lady Winchester’s conversation with Rose grew even louder. “She is not always aware of her behavior in front of others.”
“But… is she happy?” Gerard leaned toward her, but she pointed at what he was doing. “Too close? Aye, for the wee man above’s sake,” he muttered, leaning back again.
“What does that mean?”
“For the Lord above’s sake,” he said with a small smile.
“No gentleman should take the Lord’s name in vain either.”
“Good Lord, lass, it is a wonder ye can talk freely at all.” At his words, she frowned. “Or do ye nae ken what talkin’ freely is like?” That frown grew deeper. “Anyway, ye dinnae answer me question. Is yer mother happy?”
“Yes, she is.” Her frown vanished.
