A Christmas Match (Landon House #4) - Rose Pearson Page 0,59

to a lady who has done him naught but harm?” Lady Hayward asked, quietly. “He has been so very grateful to you for pulling him from his sadness and his sorrow. He has told you so on multiple occasions and there has been such a change in his demeanor which speaks of only the truth of such a change. There is a good deal more to your acquaintance than I believe there ever was with Lady Norwich. Do not turn away from him now, Lady Charity. Allow what has occurred between you to remind you of the truth of his heart – and look into your own to discover it there also. Hold onto what can be yours and reject the doubts and fears that fling themselves at you, for those worries and anxieties are precisely what Lady Dewsbury and her manipulative daughter want you to consider.” Her expression darkened and she looked away for a moment, clearly struggling to keep her manner calm and supportive – or perhaps fighting against the urge to speak all the more strongly about Lady Norwich herself. “Perhaps we ought to call upon Lord Hosmer, Lady Charity. Or mayhap you might write to him. Either way, do not allow silence to linger between you. Silence will bring nothing more but doubts and fears, instead of resolution and understanding. If you are hopeful that this matter might be resolved, then find a way to approach him, so that you might hear the truth from his lips and allow yourself, finally, to trust him.”

Charity let out a long, slow breath and nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat and praying that she would not let tears fall. Turning her head to look back into the flames, she settled her shoulders and told herself that Lady Hayward was quite correct – that if she could trust what had passed between herself and Lord Hosmer in the past, then she would lose her doubts and her fears. Lord Hosmer had told her, many times, that he was more than grateful to her, had been glad to leave his sorrow and his pain behind. Was she about to dismiss all that, simply because Lady Norwich and Lady Dewsbury told her so? A small, creeping confidence began to steal over her heart as she considered this, realizing that all Lady Hayward had said was quite correct.

“I will,” she said aloud, looking back at Lady Hayward. “You are right, Lady Hayward. I have let all that Lady Dewsbury said and all that I know occurred between Lord Hosmer and Lady Norwich in the past, flood my thoughts and push fears and doubts into my heart. I have forgotten what he has said and what has been shared between us. But I shall do so no longer.” Her lips pulled into a small smile and the tears which had threatened began to fade away as a renewed confidence filled her heart. “Thank you, Lady Hayward.”

“But of course,” Lady Hayward replied, now looking rather relieved. “So, shall you write to him?”

“I shall –”

Charity’s answer was cut off by a quiet knock on the drawing room door. Calling for the servant to enter, Charity was all the more astonished when the butler informed them both that there were visitors waiting to be permitted to see them.

“And who has called?” Lady Hayward asked, sending a quick look towards Charity, who found herself hoping that it was none other than Lord Hosmer come to speak to her. “It is still very cold and, from what I can see, snowing outside! They must have been very eager indeed to call upon us!”

Her eyes twinkled as she smiled at Charity, only for that smile to fix in place as the butler spoke the visitors’ names.

“I see.”

Charity’s heart slammed hard against her chest, her stomach tightening and a deep frown beginning to form across her brow.

“Well,” Lady Hayward continued, as she considered, “it would be rude indeed to refuse to see them.” Her gaze turned back to Charity’s for a moment, looking at her steadily. “But what do you think, Lady Charity? I will refuse to allow them to call, if you would prefer it.”

Taking in a steadying breath, Charity lifted her chin and looked back at the butler.

“Of course, they must be permitted to call,” she said, speaking with more confidence than she truly felt. “And a fresh tea tray will need to be brought, if you please.”

The butler nodded and excused himself and Charity could only look