very easily call a maid to come to join her, it would be best for her to have her chaperone present.
“Ask him to join me,” Charity replied, after a few moments. “And bring in one of the maids.” She held up one hand, preventing the butler from departing. “Make certain that one of the staff goes to Lady Hayward. If she is able to come and join us, then that would be preferable. However, if she is asleep, then I should not like her woken.”
“Of course, my Lady.”
“Have a tea tray brought also,” Charity finished, as the butler nodded. “And quickly if you please. Lord Hosmer will, I am sure, be very cold indeed.”
The butler nodded and departed, leaving Charity to sit quietly and wait for Lord Hosmer to join her. A flood of nervousness poured into her as she sat in silence, although whether it was in the knowledge that she would have to tell Lord Hosmer about Lady Norwich or simply because she would be in his company again? After what Lady Hayward had suggested about there being a greater intimacy between herself and Lord Hosmer than perhaps, at present, she was a little more aware of his presence and the emotions that were slowly beginning to be stirred up within her.
Trying her best not to consider such things, for fear that she would look flustered and embarrassed by the time Lord Hosmer arrived, Charity drew in long, steadying breaths, just as the maid came in and scurried to sit in the corner, whilst another brought in a tea tray in preparation for Lord Hosmer’s entrance. Charity rose to her feet as the door opened for what was now the third time, her eyes fixing to his almost at the moment he entered.
“Good afternoon, Lord Hosmer,” she said, dropping into a curtsey. “Lady Hayward is resting at present but I hope that she will join us soon.”
Lord Hosmer rose from his bow and smiled at her.
“I quite understand,” he said, as he made his way to the chair which she directed him to. “I am sorry for calling so unexpectedly, but I could not simply remain at home for the rest of the day. I have found a new enjoyment in being in London at the present season - a circumstance that I blame you for entirely, Lady Charity, although I am very grateful for it also.”
“I am glad to hear it, Lord Hosmer,” Charity replied, reaching to pour the tea. “I am sure you are a little cold, however. Might I offer you some tea?”
“Yes, thank you,” he answered, accepting the cup from her with a warm smile. “You have not ventured out, I suppose?”
This seemed like the perfect opportunity for her to mention her interaction with Lady Norwich and, despite the nervous anticipation that filled her, Charity was quite determined to do so. She could not imagine what he would say – for he might brush off the conversation as nothing more than foolishness on Lady Norwich’s part, but still, she wanted him to know of it. “Both myself and Lady Hayward went to the milliners yesterday,” she said, as Lord Hosmer took a sip of his tea. “I - I had an encounter with Lady Norwich.”
Lord Hosmer looked at her for a moment before his brow began to furrow and he set his teacup back in its saucer.
“Might I ask if this was a welcome meeting?” he asked. “From the look on your face, I would expect you to state that it was not so.”
“I wish I could say otherwise, Lord Hosmer, but you are correct, it was not welcome,” Charity replied, a trifle tentatively. “I was hoping to speak to you of it tomorrow evening at the ball, but it is good that we have the opportunity to do so now. I feel it only fair to warn you that I believe Lady Norwich still has…” She bit her lip, not quite certain how to express it. “She was greatly distressed that you had stepped out on the dance floor with me but had not done so with her.” The look of shock which appeared on Lord Hosmer’s face told Charity that she had been right to speak of such a thing to him. His expression was almost frozen, his eyes holding tight to hers as though he was uncertain of whether or not she spoke the truth. “Lady Norwich appeared to blame me for that circumstance, Lord Hosmer,” Charity finished, spreading her hands.