Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman

Read Online Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman by Amelia Grace Treader - Free Book Online Page B

Book: Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman by Amelia Grace Treader Read Free Book Online
Authors: Amelia Grace Treader
Tags: Regency, historical fiction romance
Ads: Link
receive a visitor. Charlotte
barely remembered the time before her father had to retire to the
country from his debts. They had a footman or two then. But none
were as magnificent as this one. The servant returned and said,
“Miss De Vere, if you'll follow me, Miss Talbot is almost finished
with Mr. Jones.”
    Charlotte was shown into a ground
floor room, which was much less elegantly furnished than the hall
or what she could see in the glimpses of the parlors she passed. A
bare wood desk sat at one end of the room, a simple table at the
other and an ill-matched assortment of plain chairs made up the
rest of the furnishings. Elizabeth and a gentleman were seated at
the table going over papers when Charlotte entered. Elizabeth
looked up, gave a quick nod of greeting, and then returned to her
work.
    A few minutes later they were done.
Elizabeth rose, followed by the man. “Mr. Jones, you have done an
excellent job with these figures. The proposal looks to be on
course. Mr. Netherfield will be pleased with your work.”
    “ Thank you Ma'am.” Elizabeth gave
him a quick sharp glance, “Sorry, Miss Talbot.”
    Elizabeth paused for a moment, then
remembering Charlotte introduced them. “Mr. Jones, this is Miss De
Vere, the daughter of the late Lord Staverton.”
    “ Sister, Miss Talbot.”
    “ Oh yes, I'm sorry, I forgot about
your brother.”
    “ That's understandable, he was
only Lord Staverton for a short while and didn't do much more that
put us further in debt.”
    Mr. Jones replied, “Miss De Vere,
Mrs. Jones mentioned you to me last night. Said you were pleasant
company yesterday. I can see now that she understated your
charm.”
    “ Thank you.”
    “ Miss Talbot, Miss De Vere, I do
have to get moving with these proposals, if you want to see results
soon.”
    “ Please do go, don't worry about
it. I expect that Miss De Vere has something she wants to ask
me.”
    Mr. Jones bowed and then left for
the main office of the firm.
    “ Eliza, Lizzy, Does Mr. Jones find
it odd answering to a woman?”
    “ Probably, but he's never said
anything about it to me.”
    Actually he didn't mind, at least
not with a member of the family. He had taken more than a little
good humored razzing from his friends one evening at the pub. He
explained that he was working directly with one of the Talbot's,
and even if she were a mere woman, he had learned more in the few
days under her tutelage than in the last few years as a junior
under Mr. Netherfield. Besides, he continued, it was a rare chance
to directly impress the founder's daughter, which could only be
good for his chances. Provided he succeeded.
    “ So Charlotte, I'm free. What did
you want to talk to me about?”
    “ I wanted to see if you were going
to the assembly tonight?”
    “ It's such a crush, I hadn't
planned on it. There's this excellent book I've wanted to
read.”
    Charlotte's face fell with
disappointment. “Oh, I was hoping you would. It's just I don't
really know anyone and.”
    “ You want me to find you a dance
partner?”
    “ With your friends, surely you
must know some gentlemen.”
    Elizabeth chuckled, “Charlotte, do
you remember who I introduced you to yesterday?”
    “ Some of them, if I saw them
again, but it was so confusing.”
    “ They were all Mrs. someone or
another. Wives of the clerks. It was a sort of 'factory wives'
outing. I wouldn't count on dancing with their
husbands.”
    “ Is that why you paid the piper
for those buns?”
    “ Of course. They were showing me
around Bath and helping me find my bearings. It wouldn't be right
if I made them pay for the privilege.”
    “ So you don't know that many
people either?”
    “ A few. Just not as many as you
think.”
    “ Please, still, the assembly
tonight?”
    “ Oh, alright. I may bring my book.
I can always read while you dance. I take great pleasure in
reading.”
    Charlotte looked at Elizabeth in
wondering dismay. How was it possible that anyone could want to
read more than dance?

Similar Books

Back to You

Roya Carmen

Rock Star

Jackie Collins

Wicked Destiny

Tiffany Stevens

Clockwork Prince

Cassandra Clare