Miss Charity's Case by Jo Ann Ferguson

not.” Charity stiffened as he steered the carriage through the gate and along the road toward the Manor. If Lady Eloise or Leatrice noted her arrival with Oliver, the row would ring throughout the house. “It is not necessary to take me to the door.”
    â€œIt is my pleasure, Charity.”
    She had no idea how to answer. Starting a brangle would be silly. She must bid him good day and continue her search for Joyce.
    When Oliver stopped the carriage before the house, he dismounted and turned to assist her. She placed her hand on his rough palm. She wondered again what work he did aboard his ship, but the question faded from her mind as she was captured anew by the emotions in his enigmatic eyes. Her fingers rose, unbidden, to his face. His fascinating smile lured her closer. Knowing she was want-witted, but unwilling to lose even a moment of this delight, she closed her eyes as she guided his mouth toward hers.
    â€œCharity? Thank goodness, you are here!”
    Charity glanced over her shoulder. “Joyce!”
    Her sister rushed out the door, a disapproving smile on her face. Oliver released Charity’s fingers and turned to her sister.
    â€œGood afternoon, Miss Joyce. It is a pleasure to delight in the beauty of both Stuart sisters again. I wish you good day.” His smile became warmer as he untied his horse from the carriage and mounted. “Good day to you also, Charity. I look forward to seeing you this evening at Belmore Park.”
    He was gone, riding at a streak along the drive, before Charity could reply.
    Taking a deep breath to clear the web spun by Oliver’s charm from her head, she began, “Joyce, where have—?”
    â€œCharity, were you all about in your head to take a ride alone?” Joyce interrupted. “And to come back in Lord Blackburn’s company!” She rolled her eyes in dismay. “You know Lady Eloise wishes us to have as little to do with him as possible.”
    Charity stepped aside as a stableboy came to collect the carriage. She smiled her thanks before adding, “Oliver shares our great-aunt’s opinion of my driving about by myself. That is why he escorted me to the Manor.”
    â€œ Oliver? I hoped I was mistaken when I heard him speak your given name.” She wrung her hands. “Oh, Charity, have you taken a knock in the cradle?”
    â€œHave you? I would not have been out alone if I had not been looking for you, Joyce.”
    â€œMe? I was about the house all day.”
    â€œDon’t be false with me,” she begged.
    â€œI shan’t be false when I say Lord Blackburn will only cause you trouble, Charity. You heard what Leatrice said.”
    â€œYes, but he has been a gentleman of the first respectability with me.”
    â€œYou do not know him well enough to judge him. I have heard such horrible things.”
    â€œLeatrice is a gossip, and you know how foolish it is to heed gossips.”
    â€œIt is more than what she has said.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as she clasped Charity’s hands in her own. “Don’t let Lord Blackburn ruin you, too.”

Seven
    Charity would have liked to demand an explanation from Joyce about where she had disappeared to, but Lady Eloise ordered Charity into her sitting room and proceeded to ring a regular peal for nearly an hour. How could Charity be so opaque? her aunt had demanded. She and her sister had no title and no money. Without a good reputation, they would never find excellent matches.
    Charity’s acceptance of the trimming without bursting into tears added to Lady Eloise’s fury. Only the need to bathe and dress before the ball ended the reprimand.
    Charity hurried through her ablutions. She let Hélène babble in half-French, half-English while the abigail twisted Charity’s stubbornly straight hair into curls about her face. Mist was fogging the windows, so Charity feared all her ministrations would be for naught.
    After