Page 56

“I know. I know,” Selina cut in. “It’s impossible. I was married, and I’ve never been shy about intimacy. But it’s true! I have never enjoyed a man that way. My husband was never able to…rise to the occasion, and I remain as untouched as a young girl!”

The three of them eyed each other, the silence returning until Rose broke it by failing miserably to hide her laughter. Hearing it set off Charlotte’s, and then Selina was following along. In moments, they were all laughing as loud as ever, all tickled by Selina’s outburst and revelation.

“Of all the women in the city who might still be home to their virtue.” Charlotte shook her head. “I am glad you told me.”

Selina smiled back, her shoulders slumping as a profound relief visibly washed over her. “I am glad to have told someone at last. I may be a flirt and interested in…the private matters of life. Still, I can’t say I’ve been lucky enough to do more than live vicariously through all your stories. With that in mind…”

Leaning over, Selina whispered in Rose’s ear a suggestion for how she mighttrulyrepay her husband’s kindness, and Charlotte gasped before chuckling to herself.

“What?” Rose sat forward on her seat, her eyes hungry for the missing information. “What?”

All Charlotte could do was giggle, and it wasn’t long before Selina whispered to Rose, sharing her secret. The room erupted into further fits of laughter, and for the first time in their friendship, Charlotte felt like she actually understood Selina—the virgin tease.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Riding with Charlotte to the garden party at Selina’s estate was quite the drive. She had been dressed so beautifully that he was hardly able to keep his hands from seeking out her soft curves, placing delicate kisses on her neck and cheek at every moment possible.

“Frederick!” She swatted at him. “We are to attend this party looking presentable. If you continue to ply your affections all over me, you’ll rumble my gown.”

He chuckled, utterly uncaring about the wrinkles Charlotte’s dress might sustain. Still, he backed away, giving her a modicum of space. However, he would admit to enjoying the delicious blush on her skin too much to stay gone for long.

As they rounded a corner, the coach came to a stop, and the tiger called out that they had arrived. He waited for his door to be opened, and then Frederick was quick to make it around toCharlotte’s, pulling the panel wide and offering his hand so that she could step down.

“Thank you.” She met him on the street, taking his arm so that she could maneuver around a small puddle from this afternoon’s rain. “Now, I expect you to behave yourself.”

Frederick smirked down at her. “I shall try most ardently, dearest.”

They walked together into the party, greeted at once by the hearty laughter of their friends. Richard spotted them first, and he held up a hand as they crossed the long foyer into the exceedingly vast entertaining room near the front of Selina’s estate. Charlotte hurried over to Amelia, embracing her before hovering her lips in the air above either cheek. Selina was next and then a tense good evening was paid to her brother.

Tension crawled along Frederick’s spine. He didn’t think well about how this sat between the siblings. As Rose approached from the side, having left just a few minutes before them in her own carriage, Frederick shook the unhappy thoughts away, meaning to keep his promise to be a comfort to his own sister.

“You’ve made it at last!” Rose joked, and Frederick did his best to school his expression, not letting on that there had been a few distractions keeping him from leaving the estate—distractions that currently rested inside the tight stays his wife wore.

“It’s good to see you, Frederick.” Richard walked to him, clapping him on the shoulder. “I trust that you are well?”

The secret conversation between them took place in an instant. Frederick was subtle with how he shook his head, letting his dear friend know that there was no sign of the Baron yet.

“I am. Though business tends to be slow as of late.”

“I am sure it will pick up, Frederick. Have no doubt.”Ever the confident man.

“Enough talk of business,” Amelia added. “We are here to enjoy each other’s company, and if I am forced to listen to my dear husband go on about trading rates for much longer, I shall lose my mind.”

They all laughed, and in moments, they were speaking comfortably—not about business—as they walked to the back of Selina’s estate to enjoy the lush garden. It was not as enormous as Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, but Selina’s home greenery was fine indeed. There was a lovely array of trees growing around the edges, which provided privacy and shade during the day, and several perfectly trimmed topiary bushes in various geometric shapes.

Refreshments were served by attendants who circled through the grounds carrying trays of cocktails and small bites of food, cheeses, pastries, and cold meats. Even a few delicate servings of hors d’oeuvres were served with perfectly crafted layers of delicious ingredients and seasonal jams.

All was going swimmingly until Charlotte approached him from having spoken with Amelia, looking as concerned as ever.

“Charlotte?” Frederick stepped up to her, taking his wife’s elbow. “Are you quite well, dear?”

“I’m afraid I’m not feeling quite right. Would you mind terribly if I asked you to retrieve the carriage so that we might return home?”

His stomach clenched. Charlotte not feeling well did not sit with him. She had not the assumption of being with child to dissuade him of his concerns. They had still not taken their engagements to that level, and he worried over her health. Charlotte spent a great deal of time with Cordelia, and while he fully supported that, it was possible for her to have contracted something while there.

“Of course, allow me a moment to fetch Rose so that we can return at once.”

Charlotte nodded, her eyes still worried and looking quite exhausted.