Spinster Ever After (The Spinster Chronicles #7) - Rebecca Connolly Page 0,21

in distaste. “Not if I can help it. He’s charming enough, but I cannot imagine it.”

“Tyrone and Charlotte,” Georgie mused before shaking her head. “If there was ever to be a war to end the world, it would be those two having a row. I will beg that we do not try for that match.”

Elinor nodded, eyes wide, and looked at another sheet. “Julian Bruce? Ten thousand a year, on remainder for the earldom of Loukes, and nephew of Lady Fellows.”

“Add him to the list,” Charlotte instructed, her mind conjuring up the image of the soft spoken, wildly handsome man she’d danced with twice in her life. He was difficult to catch for a word of conversation, let alone anything serious, but could certainly have been worthwhile. “My mother is friends with Lady Fellows, I could have her ensure he comes to events I’m due to attend.”

Izzy sipped her tea, then put it down quickly. “I didn’t know that. Surely that should have been mentioned by now.”

Charlotte looked at her friend with some surprise. “Why? Nobody cared a fig for Julian Bruce before, and he wasn’t much to look at when we came out, but now he’s grown into himself, I rather like the look of him.”

“When you can look at him at all,” Grace muttered. “The man might as well be Father Christmas.”

“I pray he is,” Charlotte shot back, “for then I would have found my perfect match indeed.”

Elinor glanced up at her again. “Oh, are we going for Father Christmas, then? That changes everything…”

Charlotte ignored her. This was not getting her anywhere, and a discussion of saintly virtues, or otherwise, would cause more points against Charlotte than as regards any particular gentleman. And if her friends were more inclined to mockery at the present, diversionary tactics might suit the task better.

She quickly scrambled for a proper topic. “Has anyone heard from Prue lately? I wonder how she’s getting on in confinement.”

Izzy raised her hand in the midst of another sip. “Yes,” she said when she was able, “I’ve a letter here from her.” She reached into the folds of her skirt and withdrew the folded paper, opening it quickly. “Let me see… She says she is feeling rather conspicuous, which makes being out of the public eye all the better for her. The doctor says everything is in fine form, and not to be too shocked if the child comes early. He has some concerns about Prue being small, whatever that means, but nothing too dreadful. Erm… Cam is in a right state, constantly fussing over her…”

“Huzzah for his first sensible moment since marrying her,” Charlotte praised, looking heavenward. She winked, snickering at the idea of Camden Vale fussing over his expectant wife. It was a comical imagining, but she was quite pleased he was doing so. Prue deserved to be fussed over at a time like this.

“Hmm…” Izzy read over the note, then smiled. “Ah. Prue is also quite pleased to hear that Charlotte wishes to be married, and she hopes that they will be through with her confinement and such in time to come and help.”

“Help?” Charlotte repeated, sputtering wildly. “Rushing her convalescing and entry into motherhood to join my own personal melee? Surely not. I will write to Cam the moment we are done here. He may dote upon his wife, but in this, at least, he will agree with me.”

Izzy’s eyes flicked up to Charlotte’s. “Cam has added a postscript of his own for you, Charlotte.”

Charlotte paused in the act of bringing her teacup to her lips. “Has he? Why not write me himself? Oh, never mind, I know better than to question the reason behind any man’s lack of logic. Go on.”

The others chuckled while Izzy resumed her reading. “Cam insists that Charlotte cannot settle on any man until he gives permission. He will be vastly put out otherwise.”

Clapping her hands, Charlotte laughed. “Oh, bless him, I’ll agree to that. The man I choose must have the blessing of Camden Vale, or it’s not blessed.”

“The idea of Cam being holy enough to bless anything and have it come to fruition…” Grace shook her head. “Heavens, I think I must pray.”

Izzy folded the letter and took up her tea once more. “I cannot wait until Edith sends her thoughts to us. No doubt, Radcliffe will have her down here in a moment.”

Charlotte sobered at once and shook her head firmly. “I hope not. I think we all underestimated the feelings of Society where her