Embracing Ashberry Read Online Free

invitation to the Whitneys.
Ecstatic at their reply the same day, Charlotte threw herself
wholeheartedly into planning for her first dinner. For practice,
Ashberry had said, resigning himself to an evening of French food
and wine instead of the more familiar English beef the kitchens
normally prepared for him.
    At times, Charlotte was a woman possessed.
Fortunately, she relied on the advice of her dear Aunt Lucy, a
practiced hostess known throughout London for her skill at
smoothing over the most notorious of scandals. While Ashberry was
not even allowed to recommend which footmen would serve, he did
manage to intercede in the seating arrangements through his aunt,
to whom he was forced to admit a curious interest in the girl.
    Throughout the week, he called twice at the Whitney
house, each time seeking out the lady of the residence on the
pretense of wedding plans. That Lady Whitney was pleased by the
marquess’ overt interest in the developing scheme was patent and
she enthusiastically conferred with both the marquess and his aunt
while Charlotte and Edward strolled in the gardens or through the
gallery. Ellie, unable to retreat under the watch of the callers,
was reduced to remaining in the drawing room, where Ashberry was
certain to speak to her politely, inviting her opinion and feeling
a strange and unusual mix of emotions when she would reply
softly.
    Six days passed since Ashberry’s visit to the
Mayfair chapel before he stood stoically in the dining room and
stared at the table. The sumptuous feast had probably cost him a
small fortune, but if it brought him closer to Ellie Whitney and at
least put them on speaking terms, he wouldn’t complain.
    He smiled as his aunt glided into the room, present
all throughout the long afternoon, now dressed and prepared to
guide Charlotte as hostess. “She did well,” he commented.
    “Yes,” the countess replied, clearly satisfied.
“Though what possessed you to permit this extravagance is beyond
me.”
    “She’ll only do it once,” he said dryly. “Although
I’m sure that when Caroline comes back from her honeymoon, I will
hear about the inequity of it.”
    Lady Westhouse dismissed the notion. “That would be
pure foolishness. Caroline did not need the practice, for she was
quite accustomed to arranging small social events. Besides, she is
a countess now with vast resources at her disposal and castles in
three countries. She will be planning balls and political dinners
for a hundred. Charlotte’s expertise must by design be in dinner
parties and smaller
fetes
where Edward can sound out
investment opportunities. She will eventually be a baroness in a
family that prospers because of coal mining and tea, not to mention
the fresh flowers produced at Rose Hill. Comfortable, and
fabulously wealthy if Edward continues on his current bent, but
without the social power of her sister.”
    “But she will be happy,” the marquess objected.
“Charlotte adores young Whitney.”
    “He is a fine young man,” the countess allowed. “I
have maneuvered the seating arrangement so that Miss Whitney is
seated beside you at dinner. Edward Whitney is on her opposite
side, of course, to provide propriety.”
    “I assume then that Charlotte is also nearby.”
    The countess laughed. “I will never be that
influential, Ashberry. I’m afraid the only way to separate them at
dinner is to put them in front of a church and wait for them to
preside at their own table.”
    On the lady’s comment, the Whitney carriage pulled
to a stop in front of the mansion. The front door was opened
immediately, with his butler Alexander approaching the carriage
door while the Whitney footman set the steps. Ashberry watched
Whitney climb out of the carriage and then assist Lady Whitney and
her daughter down. Ellie was lovely in the early darkness, a
twinkling candle that seemed out of place amidst the rowdy boys
that tumbled down next. Her evening gown was a shimmering gold, but
with an overskirt of sheer