"If you keep sticking your nose in books, Lady Charlotte, no one will marry you," Lady Elizabeth proclaimed, fanning herself with an air of exaggerated elegance.
"That would certainly make me unhappy," Charlotte murmured, her eyes never leaving the pages of her book.
"I don't understand," Lady Grace whispered, leaning closer so only they could hear. "You're already considered a spinster. You're twenty and unmarried—does that not bother you?"
Elizabeth awkwardly poured tea into their cups, her movements betraying her unease.
Charlotte was, without question, the odd one out. While her two companions were happily married with children, she remained unattached. It wasn't by choice—life had simply unfolded that way.
She wasn't the type to focus on the intricacies of courtship, and no man had sought her out with any genuine interest during her coming out. She'd tried courting, but her suitors quickly lost interest. Apparently, her enthusiasm for intellectual discussions and books wasn't particularly appealing.
If men had no interest in her intelligent conversations, she decided she was better off without them. She preferred the comforting company of her books to the disappointments of shallow courtship.
Lady Elizabeth sighed dramatically. "She's not saying anything."
"I give up, honestly," Grace added as Charlotte's mother entered the room.
They all stood and bowed slightly. "Countess Rachel Stonewalled," they greeted in unison.
"Lady Elizabeth, Lady Grace," Rachel said with polite authority, "I need to borrow my daughter, if you don't mind."
Charlotte tensed. Lord knows she wasn't ready for another lecture. She followed her mother out of the room, her nerves twisting into a knot.
Rachel stopped abruptly and turned to face her daughter. "The Duke is coming to House Stonewalled tomorrow," she announced.
Charlotte blinked in shock. "The Duke? As in the Duke?"
Her mother's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Yes, the Duke. Your sister Summer is coming of age, and we must ensure everything is perfect. Do well to stay out of sight tomorrow. As you're well aware, you're not endowed with enough beauty. We do not wish to frighten him... understood?"
Charlotte forced a smile. "Of course. I hope everything goes well for Summer. It would be a great honor for our family to rise in rank."
Rachel sneered. "Good," she said curtly, before walking away.
Charlotte returned to the tea room, where Lady Elizabeth and Lady Grace were waiting eagerly.
"Well?" they asked in unison.
"What was that all about?" Grace added in a hushed tone.
"We know that witch despises you," Elizabeth whispered conspiratorially.
Charlotte chuckled softly. "It was nothing, really," she said, returning her attention to her book.