Follow Charlotte

Charlotte could barely think as the mysterious stranger disappeared into the thick foliage. Were it not for the volume of sonnets that she held in her hand she could imagine the entire encounter was nothing more than a delusional fantasy caused by her recent fall. Her lips still tingled from her suitor’s kiss.

Wait? Was he really a suitor? Aside from the kiss – she could feel her cheeks flush as she remembered the kiss – aside from the kiss, he had shown only the slightest interest in her. Was his invitation to meet with him at the ruins of the chapel the start of a campaign for her hand in marriage, or was he interested in her as a woman? Did he think that he could kiss her like he had again and again, claiming her lips for his pleasure, demanding her surrender as he molded her soft curves against his hard body.

She should be outraged by his improper treatment, but in her heart she knew that for the first time in her life she had felt like a woman. Not a child, or even a rich heiress to be wooed, the blond gentleman’s kiss had been like nothing she had ever experienced, so different from the clumsy attempts of the suitors she was used to. He had wanted her as a woman, not just a stepping stone in a great climb to power.

Who was he? Charlotte was sure she had seen him before, but could not remember when or where. He said that her father no longer would welcome him at Marlton manor, were they business rivals perhaps? Lord Marlton never spoke of his business dealings with Charlotte, so she could not be sure, but she had heard the whispered comments at functions in London that made her think that his ruthless commercial practices made him an unpopular man in those circles.

The sound of horses approaching along the old Roman road **** her from her reflection. With a sigh she tucked the book into Copper’s saddlebag and led the limping gelding back to the old road. The hunt circled around her like a swarm of buzzing gnats, Jason Worthington in particular chastised her for her reckless riding.

“You must learn to restrain your wild instincts milady. In the future I suggest you ride with Beatrice and Priscilla if you wish to see the end of the hunt.” Charlotte noticed that the bloody body of the fox hung from his saddle and turned away from him without a word. The bloody dénouement of the hunt was her least favorite part of the ride, but Jace would never understand that no matter how she tried to explain it to him. Jace was interested only in the kill, not the hunt. Even in his courting of her it was clear that he was more interested in her as a suitable wife than in the rituals of courtship and romance.

His attitude had always irked Charlotte, but after her encounter by the brook she refused to accept his arrogant chastisement. She had overheard Jace tell his friends when he thought she was not listening that the first thing he’d do once they were married was put an end to her wild rides with the hunt. However Jason Worthington was a favorite of her father’s and more often than not it was assumed that their engagement announcement was just a matter of time.

Jace was not the only suitor that pressed hard for her hand in marriage and the considerable estate that came with it. She was the only daughter of Lord Marlton, her half-brother, John was from her father's previous marriage and the title and estate came from her mother’s side of the family. Her father brought a great deal of wealth from his assorted business dealings, but the title that went with her hand could only come with her marriage.

One of the grooms that rode with the hunt dismounted and took Copper for the slow walk back to the stables and after a brief pause to switch the saddles Charlotte mounted the groom’s mount and followed the hunt riding between the two other ladies who joined the hunt at her father’s insistence that she not be the only woman to ride out with the six gentlemen.

Their talk as always involved speculation about which of the leaders of the hunt would make the most suitable husband. Twice Beatrice tried to solicit Charlotte’s input but compared to her secret new beau, Charlotte found all six to be duller than dull.

“I’d rather become a nun than marry any of these pompous fops!” She finally announced when her frustration overcame her common sense. Charlotte regretting the words as soon as they escaped her lips, neither of her two companions were more than acquaintances and she knew that the gossip mongers would delight in such an indiscreet comment.

Luckily she could see the courtyard of Marlton manor just through the gate and several servants with cool drinks on trays waiting for them to dismount. She knew that she'd still have to get through tonight's dinner as all her father's guests teased her about her poor judgment at attempting the hedge. Still more **** awaited after that as surely Priscilla would want to enchant the group with her mastery of the piano-forte and her warbling soprano arias.

Later though, when the men retreated to Marlton's den she'd be able to escape to her room and decide what she was going to do about her completely inappropriate invitation to meet at Saint Theresa's Chapel.