Lady's Wager Read Online Free Page B

the other
subscribers to taunt her. She slid a sideway glance to where he stood
conversing with Lord Ashford, Elizabeth and Lady Treadwell. Had he really been
teasing her about her interest in science or genuinely impressed? Considering
his previous opinion of women’s education, he must have been mocking her. Young
bucks in search of a wealthy wife often expressed great interest in art and
science in an attempt to awe her, but as soon as they realized the depth of her
knowledge, they abandoned her for other young ladies of large fortune and
little learning.
    Charlotte shook her head at her foolishness. Lord
Woodcliff wasn’t likely to loiter in the science section of Hookham’s simply to
impress young heiresses. Even if he did, it didn’t matter. She possessed no
interest in him.
    She hazarded another peek at him, but he and Lord Ashford
were leaving. He walked out the door, pausing on the threshold to toss her a
wink before disappearing into the crowd outside.
    Embarrassment swept through her and she eyed those around
her to make sure no one had noticed the exchange. It wasn’t like her to moon
over a man, especially after her experience with the Comte. She added another book
to her selection, ignoring the pain in her arms and her chest. She’d already
made one mistake by trusting a nobleman. She wasn’t about to make another.

Chapter Two
    Charlotte paused at the drawing room door, congratulating
herself on the success of her soirée. The candles cast a warm glow over the
finely attired guests as they moved about the room. The subtle tones of the
hired harpist’s melodies punctuated the scene. Matrons, dressed in the latest
fashions, sat together along the walls eagerly watching for the slightest hint
of interest between the young people conversing. Uncle Charles stood near the
fireplace with the other husbands, all of whom were quite content to leave
matchmaking to their wives while they debated the latest happenings in
Parliament.
    Charlotte threaded through the guests to reach Aunt Mary
who sat gossiping on the settee with Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Greenville, Minnie
firmly entrenched in her lap.
    “See Aunt Mary, the evening is a success,” Charlotte
announced.
    “You have the potential to be a great hostess someday,”
Aunt Mary held up her wine glass, her mood having much improved since this
morning.
    “I have Mrs. Greenville to thank for it. I learned all I
know about society fundraising from her.”
    “Oh, Miss Stuart, how you flatter me,” Mrs. Greenville
laughed, her large stomach and ample bosom barely contained by the dark blue
brocade of her dress. With her shock of red hair and bold manner, Mrs. Greenville
was a formidable force when it came to soliciting funds for worthy causes. “I
hope you’ll be as generous during my Widows and Orphans of the War with
Napoleon Fund art auction.”
    “Aunt Mary and Lady Redding are taking me to Mr. Taylor’s
tomorrow so I may select a painting to donate.”
    “I can’t wait to see it.” She turned to her daughter, a
slender, shy woman who stood next to the settee, doing her best to disappear
into the wall. “Penelope, you could learn a thing or two from Miss Stuart.
Perhaps then you’d show more interest in society and less interest in books.”
    Charlotte’s heart went out to the poor girl, for although
Charlotte greatly admired Mrs. Greenville’s commitment to charity, she knew her
daughter’s reserved nature was a direct result of her mother’s overly forceful
one. Charlotte, desiring all her guests to be comfortable, quickly changed the
subject.
    “Penelope, you must allow me to introduce you to Lord
Marston.” Charlotte motioned to a slender young man admiring the Grecian urn in
the corner.
    “Thank you,” Penelope smiled shyly as Charlotte took her
by the arm and led her across the room.
    “Lord Marston has five thousand pounds a year and a great
deal of land,” Mrs. Knight loudly whispered to Mrs. Greenville before Charlotte
and Penelope