Page 41 of A Lady’s Dangerous Secret (Scandalous Secrets #1)
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
C harlotte sat in front of the mirror of her vanity.
“You look beautiful, Lady Charlotte.” Bailey was a woman of concise words, so her ebullient praise touched Charlotte’s heart.
Her lady’s maid had fussed over her hair, and Charlotte now had diamond pins arranged in her upswept coiffure.
These accoutrements complemented the sapphire-and-diamond hair combs from her aunt’s sapphire parure that she had lent her.
Charlotte had to admit, the precious blue gemstones brought out the color of her eyes. Between her hair accessories and jewelry, Charlotte sparkled with every movement. “It’s all thanks to you, Bailey.”
“Nonsense, milady.” Her lady’s maid surveyed her work and tucked a nonexistent tendril of hair into Charlotte’s chignon for good measure.
The bullet wound in Charlotte’s arm had significantly improved, but it was still tenuous and healing.
Luckily, infection had not set in, and the burning pain had lessened.
Bailey fashioned a thin bandage to cover the wound for protection that fit perfectly under the sleeve of Charlotte’s gown so the guests would be none the wiser.
Who was she kidding, though?
All the ton was still agog of Charlotte’s dramatic injury and her naval knight in shining armor. Today’s wedding of Lady Charlotte Tipton to Captain James Hughes was going to be the event of the Season.
At first, Charlotte had tried to fight the ton ’s frenzy surrounding her life, but she gave up and was now trying to ignore it.
That did not mean she was impervious to the attention and knew that the beau monde would scrutinize all aspects of her big day.
Charlotte could not help but be thankful that her wedding gown was impeccable, and that the ton could not criticize her wardrobe, courtesy of His Grace.
Her former almost-betrothed and now soon-to-be father-in-law, the Duke of Westcliffe, had insisted that he gift her a dress for her wedding, as a show of goodwill.
Charlotte adjusted the spider-gauze that covered the smooth, white silk of her gown, which was adorned with pearl floral embellishments, lace trim along the hem, and a ruffled neckline.
“The Captain is going to fall all over you,” Bailey stated matter-of-factly.
Charlotte tilted her head back and forth, allowing the light that streamed in through her bedroom window to catch the sapphires and diamonds in her hair.
“I hope so,” Charlotte responded nervously.
She had waited for this day that she still could not believe she was truly marrying James, the love of her life.
Charlotte was convinced yet another catastrophe would come between them.
She would not relax until they had said their vows and were married before God.
The bedroom door flew open, and her aunt glided into the room. “Oh, Charlotte, you look a dream!”
Bailey gave a curtsy and left the two women alone.
“Thank you for lending me the jewelry.” Charlotte smiled at Aunt Frances, surely appreciating that the sapphires truly suited her complexion best.
“You will soon have a collection of your own.” Her aunt let out a sigh. “Even if Captain Hughes doesn’t inherit, Westcliffe will ensure you two are well-situated. No need to worry.”
As was often the case with her aunt, Charlotte forced herself not to roll her eyes, but she could not hold her tongue. “There is more to life than jewels and titles.”
Her aunt looked at her, genuinely befuddled, then a thought crossed Charlotte’s mind. “Did you look at the marriage settlement?”
Her aunt did not even feign innocence. “Of course, I did. You know your father would sign off on anything. Arthur discussed the matter with Westcliffe, but I just wanted to be sure you were compensated appropriately.”
“Compensated? I love James.”
Her aunt waved her hand in dismissal. “If the worst-case scenario happens and Captain Hughes doesn’t become titled, you need to ensure you have enough financial means besides your dowry.
I see what that trade grandfather of yours did for you.
The dowry is a boon, but you can never have enough funds.
Money and the connection to the Duke will allow you to remain in Society. ” Her aunt let out a dramatic sigh.
Then her aunt turned her attention to the next pressing matter. “I’ve yet to understand why you didn’t want a large wedding. You’re the talk of the ton . How could you let this opportunity pass by?”
“We made a compromise. I’m recovering from a gunshot wound. I would hate to swoon in the church and embarrass the family.” The only way to connect with her aunt was through Society’s opinion, not the fact that Charlotte and James did not want to be paraded about at their own nuptials.
“The wedding will be a small, private affair. This way, you’ll be one of the few people to witness this momentous occasion.
” In the reflection of the vanity mirror, she saw her aunt’s eyes widen and an almost gleeful look formed on her face.
“Plus, Eleanor has kindly agreed to sketch James and me for the papers, so the ton can corroborate your firsthand account.”
Her aunt clasped her hands together excitedly.
“Excellent point, Charlotte. I’m going to be one of the only people with this coveted information.
Now then, stand up for me. I must make note of everything you’re wearing.
” Charlotte acquiesced and eased herself up from the cushioned vanity stool, careful not to wrinkle her dress.
She wanted to save her energy for the actual wedding.
Her aunt’s eyes roved Charlotte’s figure in an assessing manner.
“Turn around.” Charlotte rotated as commanded, wanting the evaluation to be completed.
She finished her spin and faced her aunt.
While her back had been turned, her aunt’s facial expression had changed.
Was that a tear in the corner of her aunt’s eye?
Charlotte never thought she would see the day.
“You look beautiful, my dear niece. I’m proud of you.”
Charlotte was shocked.
A single sniffle emerged from her aunt before her typical facade returned. The moment was gone before it began. “The carriage waits to take us to the church. Your father and Arthur are downstairs.”
Aunt Frances swept out of the room and Charlotte was left to look at herself one more time in the mirror.
She felt like a princess with her shimmering jewelry and gorgeous gown.
Her cheeks possessed a healthy glow from the excitement of finally marrying James and starting the next chapter of her life.
She picked up her bouquet of pink peonies and white roses from the garden that were tied with a white ribbon.
Charlotte stood and turned toward the door.
She took one last glance over her shoulder to catch her reflection in the mirror before walking out the bedroom door and into her future.
She was descending the stairs and saw Arthur standing at the bottom. He looked up lovingly at her before his face broke out into a wide smile. Charlotte wanted to run down the steps, but she maintained a steady pace and did not trip over her gown.
“Wow, Charlie, you look stunning,” Arthur exclaimed. He covered her gloved hands with his own. Arthur knew her as his tomboyish younger sister, not a full-grown woman. From the look on his face, he was just realizing this now.
“Thank you,” she replied.
Arthur pushed up his glasses and cleared his throat. “Shall we?” He offered Charlotte his arm to escort her to the town coach.
Charlotte linked her arm with her brother’s, “Where’s Father?”
Arthur raised his eyebrows. “He’s waiting in the carriage.”
Charlotte knew she should not feel a pang of disappointment that her own father did not care enough to catch a first glimpse of his only daughter on her wedding day.
Arthur sensed her discomfort and gave her arm a squeeze. He bowed his head to speak softly into her ear. “Charlie, this is your day. Don’t let him bother you. I love you dearly.”
Charlotte lifted her gaze to look at Arthur and gave him a reassuring smile. He was right. Wishing for things that would never be had no place on her wedding day. Her future was with James.
Charlotte and Arthur entered the carriage and sat across from their father.
“Daughter.” He glanced at Charlotte before turning his attention back to looking out the window.
The equipage jolted and headed to the church.
Charlotte studied her father and felt a sense of liberation.
He was actually a pathetic excuse for a man.
He had ruddy cheeks, a bloated face, and a distended abdomen, all from overindulgence and laziness.
She did not need his approval. In fact, she did not even want it.
After all that had transpired, Charlotte was now a more confident woman who no longer needed to act out to gain the attention of her family as she had done in her youth.
She had the brother she adored seated beside her, and the man she loved waiting for her at the altar.
That was all Charlotte needed.
The coach stopped rocking, indicating they had reached the church.
Charlotte felt butterflies in her stomach while she waited for the footman to open the door.
She noted the heavy breathing of her father before he waddled out of the carriage.
Arthur alighted next and held out his hand to help her down.
Her aunt waited in the atrium of the church.
She had taken a different carriage with her husband.
Her aunt had decided her spouse, who lived a separate and happy life, should attend their niece’s wedding.
“Most people are seated,” her aunt announced. She eyed Charlotte’s father. “Peter, you have one job. Walk Charlotte down the aisle and deposit her in the front.” She was about to turn when she paused. “Oh, and look happy about it.”