Waltzing With The Earl

The Earl was all politeness but, remembering his opinion of her yesterday, Charlotte could not ignore the implied criticism.

‘Not me,’ she said, ‘I am most unnatural, I fear.’

Joseph, now mounted, followed them as they moved slowly towards the park.

‘What? Do you not enjoy shopping at all?’ asked the Earl. ‘It seems to me that young women, when they are not flirting or gossiping, are talking about ribbons and hats and fashion plates.’

Charlotte bit back the retort which was on the tip of her tongue, instead asking mildly, ‘And do you not take pleasure in seeing a well-dressed lady?’

‘Of course. A beautiful lady is an ornament to be admired!’

An ornament! ‘And can we be more?’

He looked confused.

Amused, she gave him a sunny smile, and he blinked.

‘I enjoy dressing well, Lord Shalford—as I think you do, too.’ She swept her eyes over his tight-fitting buckskins, well-made coat and highly polished boots. ‘In order for we ladies to be well turned out, we do not rely on our tailor and our valet. We must consider, and design, and choose the best fabrics, dressmakers and milliners, and we also have to worry about how things will match. There is no little skill in it.’

He considered this. ‘So the enjoyment of shopping is a necessity?’

‘In a way. Many ladies enjoy it, but it cannot be described as the favourite pastime of all females, for it is certainly not my favourite. I had much rather be out like this, riding, than stuck in a haberdashery.’

He looked sceptical, but let it pass.

Captain Fanton, as if surprised by his brother’s garrulity, intervened. ‘You are certainly unusual, Miss Wyncroft. Tell me, is it because of your upbringing in military circles?’

Charlotte, pleased with her small victory over the Arrogant Earl, smiled at Harry. ‘I suppose so. I have been around military and diplomatic families my whole life. I was born in Portugal, and I have lived in many different places. It was, I think, a good childhood—though I don’t know anything else.’

‘And you speak Portuguese?’

‘Yes. I’m afraid I can speak French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. It is a terrible thing, I know, to be thought a bluestocking, when in reality I never learned any of them, I just...knew them.’

‘Perfectly understandable,’ said the Captain. ‘Fear not, I should not take you for a bluestocking. Why, bluestockings are dowdy!’

Charlotte laughed. ‘I must thank you both for including me in your invitation to Chadcombe—even if I may be seen as a bluestocking. I am looking forward to it. It is in Surrey, I believe?

‘Yes,’ said the Earl, ‘between Godalming and Guildford. There have been Fantons there for nearly four hundred years.’

‘Godalming—I stayed at a posting inn there on my way to London. I thought it a most pretty town. They are building a new town hall with a pepperpot roof.’

‘That’s it. It replaces the old market house, which has stood there since the Middle Ages.’

‘And is your house—er—medieval?’

The Earl’s eyes narrowed. ‘Now, Miss Wyncroft, I think you are trying to fence with me. Are you asking me the age of the house, or whether it is ancient, decrepit and devoid of modern conveniences?’

She laughed lightly. ‘Is it not the same thing?’

‘No, it is not—and you know it! To answer both your questions...the original medieval house is now used for stabling. My grandfather built the present house—and nearly went bankrupt doing so. It was his obsession.’ His eyes fired a challenge to hers. ‘It has modern water closets and a new closed oven.’

‘I shall simply die from excitement! A closed oven! Why, I have never seen such a thing!’

The Captain, observing their repartee with some amazement, said, ‘Miss Wyncroft, if I had known you were so interested in domestic devices I should have invited you to tour an oven-maker’s or some such thing.’

‘Oh, please don’t. I much prefer this ride in Green Park. Tell me, Captain, do you spend much time at Chadcombe?’

‘I am there when I can be. These few years, since our mother died and our father became ill, have been difficult. I have been away with my regiment for most of the past two years. Much of the burden has rested on Adam’s shoulders.’

His brother nodded, acknowledging the truth of the Captain’s words. ‘My father worked hard to restore our fortunes, and the stability of the estate, but was ill for the last years of his life and unable to give the necessary attention to the estate. My task is to make sure the place can thrive once again. There are many families—not just ours—who rely on it.’

‘I just wish you could relax and enjoy life once in a while, Adam.’

‘I am content, Harry. I do not need to.’

‘Agreed. But you might enjoy it.’

Charlotte felt a twinge of unexpected sympathy. Lord Shalford had put duty first. This she understood. Even if the man was horribly proud and judgemental. And arrogant.

The Captain turned to Charlotte again. ‘Miss Wyncroft, tell me—when you were with the Army, did you perhaps meet my friend Captain Jack Harris? We served with the Thirtieth, in the Peninsula.’

‘You mean Parson Jack?’

‘Lord, that soubriquet followed him everywhere! Such a prosy fellow, but with a good heart.’

‘In the Peninsula he was always in the company of Captain Burnett.’

‘Yes. We three were best friends at school. Did you also meet Major Cooke?’

‘I did—many times. He is a particular friend of my father.’

She and Captain Fanton continued to converse easily as they progressed to Green Park, while Lord Shalford remained silent, watching them.

The Captain was keen to establish who Charlotte knew of his military friends, and to share impressions of places they had both visited. Charlotte laughingly fended off his questions, enjoying his relaxed manner and humorous tales. He reminded her so much of the young soldiers she had known in Vienna—they had been like younger brothers to her.

‘I remember one time, near Ciudad Rodrigo, when some of my men dressed a pig in full regimentals. Lord, such a to-do! But many are gone now.’ He fell momentarily silent.

‘Were you at Badajoz, then?’ she asked softly, remembering the difficult time during and after the siege.

‘Yes, we were all there. It didn’t end well.’ A shadow crossed his face. ‘But let us not dwell on it. Today the sun shines and we are out for a ride. Where can we let the horses have their heads?’

‘Well, this is the spot where I usually enjoy a canter—from here to the end of this meadow.’

‘Then let’s ride!’

The Captain spurred his horse and they all set off.

Cantering easily, the Captain moved slightly ahead. About halfway across the meadow he eased back, allowing Charlotte and the Earl to catch up. Joseph followed at an easier pace. The brothers were both good horsemen, and Charlotte was enjoying the thrill of the ride in their company. Charlotte and the Captain were now neck-and-neck, while the Earl eased back slightly. Somehow, Charlotte reached the end of the meadow first.