Priscilla continues her seduction

Charlotte guided her two companions up the chapel steps and through the high-arched doorway into the peaceful remnants of the papist chapel. Both Priscilla and Jason wandered around the sanctuary for a few minutes but soon turned their attention to the baskets of food that the Marlton kitchens had packed for them.

The three of them spread out several blankets to sit on and set out loaves of bread, several wedges of cheese a cold smoked salmon and a roasted chicken that was still hot after the short ride. In addition to the bread and meat the cook had packed a treasure trove of smaller containers filled with spreads, fruit preserves and sauces. Jason found the three bottles of wine and appointed himself butler. Opening both a fruity white Riesling and a more meaty Burgundy he set the bottles on a convenient block of stone and filled three crystal goblets with wine.

There was an almost comedic dance as both Priscilla and Jason tried to find a seat close to their intended object of desire while Charlotte made every attempt to keep away from Jason. However the three young adults were enjoying the day too much to fret over where they sat and soon enough all of them were enjoying the fine food.

Charlotte was too aware of the tension that was growing between the three to muster any kind of conversation but Priscilla was eager to show her worth even in this unusual setting. She really could be charming Charlotte had to concede as she recounted a story of an ill-fated outing that she had gone on with an acquaintance studying Law at Oxford. The eager young man had arranged for a punt and had planned a romantic tour of the local canals, but he was not much of a boatman and somehow managed to fall into the muddy waterway that dampened his clothing, his spirits and any chance he had to impress Miss Dunning. The story was amusing, but as she listened she also became uncomfortable as she watched Mr. Worthington.

Jason’s sharp laughter upon hearing the earnest scholar's clumsy attempts to impress Priscilla and his arrogant dismissal of the young man’s efforts reminded Charlotte yet again that she didn’t particularly care for Mr. Worthington or the way he treated others. She found herself trying to ignore the several disparaging remarks about the quality of Britain's future if her sons thought there was anything to be learnt from studying dusty old tombs. Her guests swapped other stories about the gaffs and blunders that had happened in London this last season and didn’t even seem to notice Charlotte’s discomfort as they gossiped about what had become of many of her friends.

Once again she found herself thinking that Priscilla Dunning was a far better match for Mr. Worthington and his brash and demeaning manner. The meal was coming to an end and Charlotte knew that if her plan to pair them off was going to work it would happen soon enough.

Dessert was a trifle of sponge cake, raspberries and whipped cream along with another glass on wine this time a sweet red that Charlotte found as cloying and vapid as Priscilla and Jason’s chatter. Finally Charlotte excused herself from the pair.

"Would you consider me rude if I begged for some time to pray?" She asked as she rose from her blanket. Jason was clearly not pleased by her suggestion, but Priscilla immediately grasping her intent assured her that it would not be rude at all. Charlotte moved away from her companions and knelt quietly in prayer. She tried not to listen to Priscilla's and Jason's conversation but she knew that the charming Miss Dunning would do everything in her power to lead Jason away and leave her in peace.

Charlotte did not have to pretend that she wanted to pray in private, there was something about this abandoned chapel that felt more holy to her than the Church built in Marlton Village or the chapel that went almost unused in the manor house. She vaguely sensed Priscilla pulling Jason to his feet and into the overgrown gardens that surrounded the old chapel as she tried to clear her mind of the conflicting emotions that were warring within her. Her decision to inform Lt. Easton of Fuller's identity and probable location still weighed heavily on her mind, everything her training as a Lady of the Realm had instilled assure her she had done the right thing, but still her heart was troubled by the act.

Did she want Mr. Fuller to be captured and chained or did she hope he could somehow remain free? Free to appear suddenly, free to sweep her off her feet and kiss her with the passion that disarmed her and left her begging for more. Throughout the luncheon she while she pretended to enjoy hearing about Jason and Priscilla’s friends in London and the stories they told of the dances and dinners that they had been to Charlotte found herself wishing she could speak instead to Mr. Fuller and tell him that she knew who he was, how she had betrayed him, and warn him that he had to leave now while he could.

She closed her eyes and bowed her head hoping that God or perhaps the souls of the Sisters who once graced this quiet convent would help her find the peace that she so desperately needed. So intense was her prayer that she didn’t even hear the man entered the Chapel and made his way until he was just behind her.