Read Online Fortune Knocks Once by Elizabeth Delavan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Delavan
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shopping immediately and I certainly won’t argue with that.” Lizzie said with glee. “I will love sponsoring you in London and overseeing your debut, but we haven’t any time to lose if we are to be ready for tomorrow night.”
“T-t-tomorrow n-ni-ni-night?” Charlotte squeaked and gave her a questioning look.
“When Colin asked me to take you in hand and launch you into Society I could think of nothing more likely to cure my ennui and make this Season an utter delight. There is absolutely no reason not to start immediately and so we will begin with Lady Kirchdale’s musicale tomorrow night. Not a full debut, mind you, just a teasing glimpse of the elusive new Marchioness of Ormonde!”
Lizzie guided Charlotte over to the settee and they perched next to one another on the edge, with their backs straight and formal. Charlotte was uncomfortable and fretted with her dress, unsure how to talk to this friendly but strange woman sitting next to her with whom she had nothing in common.
“But first we must discuss some things,” Lizzie said seriously. “Colin has informed me that you stutter,” she continued bluntly.
Charlotte eyes widened and she stared at Lizzie for several seconds before dropping her head, a dark blush rising rapidly on her face. “Yes,” Charlotte whispered so softly it was almost inaudible. She was twisting her hands in her lap in agitation.
Is he embarrassed by me? Oh, how terrible to think I will cause him shame in London.
“Now you mustn’t think that he is discomfited by this. He could not give a whit for your little inconvenience, but he is afraid you are made uncomfortable by it. So he has asked me to help you.”
Charlotte gave Lizzie a desperate look.
There is nothing you can do. I am inferior…I am a freak…I am Defective.
“And you mustn’t think this is a flaw or that it makes you less than others of our station. Why it is just one distinction of the person you are, like your thick brown hair or big, beautiful brown eyes.”
Charlotte snorted audibly and furrowed her brows and mouth in skepticism.
It is not the same at all.
“I know you do not think this way, but you must change your thinking. Together we can manage this and London Society will be charmed by you. So let me share how we will proceed.” Lizzie proclaimed with authority as she smoothed her hands over her skirts.
“I have known several people with the same ‘distinction’,” Lizzie said authoritatively bobbing her head in Charlotte’s direction. “And do not look at me like that, it is only a personality distinction. It seems to me that when one is nervous or under stress, the distinction becomes more pronounced. Is that the case with you?”
Charlotte nodded her head while giving Lizze a wary, guarded look.
“Therefore I think that you must practice speaking more slowly, making sure your breathing is even. When I get nervous, breathing carefully always helps me calm down inside. And if you are calm inside, you will be calm to all outward appearances as well.”
Charlotte gave her an apprehensive look, stood up and walked over to the window gazing at the scene on the street.
I cannot do this. I sincerely doubt that I can do this.
“Charlotte, darling, I know you are doubting what I am saying.” Charlotte turned to face her as she spoke. “I am sure you have been hurt and humiliated in your past. But I will stand with you, and together, we can do this.” Lizzie waved her hand for Charlotte to return to the settee.
Charlotte slowly walked back to the settee and sat beside Lizzie.
“Are you willing to try? For Colin’s sake, if not for your own?” Lizzie softly touched her arm, rubbing downward to lightly grasp her fingers and squeeze gently.
Charlotte nodded her head and whispered, “The s-stuttering is not so bad when I whisper.”
“All right then, we shall use that information when we
“T-t-tomorrow n-ni-ni-night?” Charlotte squeaked and gave her a questioning look.
“When Colin asked me to take you in hand and launch you into Society I could think of nothing more likely to cure my ennui and make this Season an utter delight. There is absolutely no reason not to start immediately and so we will begin with Lady Kirchdale’s musicale tomorrow night. Not a full debut, mind you, just a teasing glimpse of the elusive new Marchioness of Ormonde!”
Lizzie guided Charlotte over to the settee and they perched next to one another on the edge, with their backs straight and formal. Charlotte was uncomfortable and fretted with her dress, unsure how to talk to this friendly but strange woman sitting next to her with whom she had nothing in common.
“But first we must discuss some things,” Lizzie said seriously. “Colin has informed me that you stutter,” she continued bluntly.
Charlotte eyes widened and she stared at Lizzie for several seconds before dropping her head, a dark blush rising rapidly on her face. “Yes,” Charlotte whispered so softly it was almost inaudible. She was twisting her hands in her lap in agitation.
Is he embarrassed by me? Oh, how terrible to think I will cause him shame in London.
“Now you mustn’t think that he is discomfited by this. He could not give a whit for your little inconvenience, but he is afraid you are made uncomfortable by it. So he has asked me to help you.”
Charlotte gave Lizzie a desperate look.
There is nothing you can do. I am inferior…I am a freak…I am Defective.
“And you mustn’t think this is a flaw or that it makes you less than others of our station. Why it is just one distinction of the person you are, like your thick brown hair or big, beautiful brown eyes.”
Charlotte snorted audibly and furrowed her brows and mouth in skepticism.
It is not the same at all.
“I know you do not think this way, but you must change your thinking. Together we can manage this and London Society will be charmed by you. So let me share how we will proceed.” Lizzie proclaimed with authority as she smoothed her hands over her skirts.
“I have known several people with the same ‘distinction’,” Lizzie said authoritatively bobbing her head in Charlotte’s direction. “And do not look at me like that, it is only a personality distinction. It seems to me that when one is nervous or under stress, the distinction becomes more pronounced. Is that the case with you?”
Charlotte nodded her head while giving Lizze a wary, guarded look.
“Therefore I think that you must practice speaking more slowly, making sure your breathing is even. When I get nervous, breathing carefully always helps me calm down inside. And if you are calm inside, you will be calm to all outward appearances as well.”
Charlotte gave her an apprehensive look, stood up and walked over to the window gazing at the scene on the street.
I cannot do this. I sincerely doubt that I can do this.
“Charlotte, darling, I know you are doubting what I am saying.” Charlotte turned to face her as she spoke. “I am sure you have been hurt and humiliated in your past. But I will stand with you, and together, we can do this.” Lizzie waved her hand for Charlotte to return to the settee.
Charlotte slowly walked back to the settee and sat beside Lizzie.
“Are you willing to try? For Colin’s sake, if not for your own?” Lizzie softly touched her arm, rubbing downward to lightly grasp her fingers and squeeze gently.
Charlotte nodded her head and whispered, “The s-stuttering is not so bad when I whisper.”
“All right then, we shall use that information when we
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