getting closer.
She’d wanted to save the first set for Ned, to lead off the ball on his arm…but she denied herself that pleasure out of an innate sense of loyalty to her fiancé. And she could not be too cautious in limiting her exposure to him, even if they would be serving on separate ships.
A man stepped out in front of her, halting her progress through the room. “Miss Ransome, I have been looking high and low for you.”
She snapped open her fan and fanned her face in what she hoped was a coquettish manner as she returned his bow with a quick curtsey. “Mr. Fairfax. What a pleasure to see you again.”
“Mother and I were talking just today about you.”
Charlotte’s heart quickened. “Oh?”
“Yes. You know we are readying to leave Portsmouth for the country. Mother suggested, and I agreed, that it would be a capital idea to invite you to come for a long stay.”
Her throat tightened. When Julia had mentioned to her and Mama that the Fairfaxes would be extending an invitation for Charlotte to go on holiday with them in the country, she had been thrilled at the compliment to herself. But then the logistics of the situation settled in her mind. She could not accept the invitation—the Fairfaxes had already put it about that they intended to leave Portsmouth the very morning Charlotte was to report for duty aboard Audacious. Yet how could she decline such an invitation without a reasonable explanation? “I…I shall have to speak with my mother about it.”
Mr. Fairfax’s brown curls bobbed with his emphatic nod. “Yes, of course you will. We shan’t be leaving until Thursday morning, so there is ample time to make all the arrangements.”
An idea started to form in Charlotte’s mind. Because the Fairfaxes were to leave Portsmouth on Thursday, the same day Charles Lottwas to report for duty, Charlotte might be able to use the invitation to her advantage.
“Now, on to other orders of business.” Fairfax grabbed the hem of his waistcoat and gave it a tug. “Miss Ransome, I believe I have the honor of your hand for the first set.” He extended his arm toward her.
With a grin, Charlotte rested her hand atop his sleeve. “No, Mr. Fairfax, the honor is all mine.”
The crowd already gathered in the middle of the ballroom parted before Charlotte and Percy, making her feel, even just for the tiniest moment, what Princess Charlotte Augusta must feel whenever she walked into a room. But unlike the Prince Regent’s only child, Charlotte Ransome would, after tonight, return to being just a common sailor’s daughter.
She caught a giggle in the back of her throat. Actually, not too much longer after tonight, she’d become just a common midshipman. Her gaze darted about the room from her position of honor to lead off the dance.
So many naval officers here tonight—ah, there by the door to the conservatory. Ned Cochrane carried on a lively conversation with another officer. The other man turned, and Charlotte gasped. Avoiding Ned tonight would be important; avoiding Lieutenant Howe, first officer of Audacious, would be vital.
The music started. Percy’s bow caught her attention, and Charlotte dropped into a curtsey just in time and then reached out to place her hand in his.
Though distracted by a constant awareness of Ned Cochrane’s presence, and the idea he might be watching her, Charlotte acquitted herself quite well in the intricate steps…and in receiving Percy Fairfax’s flirtatious remarks.
After the first dance ended and Charlotte once again took her place opposite Mr. Fairfax for the second dance of the set, a flutter amongst the other dancers made her look around again. At the other end of the columns of men and women, William and Julia took their places.
“I see Mrs. William Ransome gets to participate tonight instead of being relegated to providing accompaniment.”
“She is an accomplished pianist.” Charlotte stepped toward Percy, curtseyed, stepped back again, and then
She’d wanted to save the first set for Ned, to lead off the ball on his arm…but she denied herself that pleasure out of an innate sense of loyalty to her fiancé. And she could not be too cautious in limiting her exposure to him, even if they would be serving on separate ships.
A man stepped out in front of her, halting her progress through the room. “Miss Ransome, I have been looking high and low for you.”
She snapped open her fan and fanned her face in what she hoped was a coquettish manner as she returned his bow with a quick curtsey. “Mr. Fairfax. What a pleasure to see you again.”
“Mother and I were talking just today about you.”
Charlotte’s heart quickened. “Oh?”
“Yes. You know we are readying to leave Portsmouth for the country. Mother suggested, and I agreed, that it would be a capital idea to invite you to come for a long stay.”
Her throat tightened. When Julia had mentioned to her and Mama that the Fairfaxes would be extending an invitation for Charlotte to go on holiday with them in the country, she had been thrilled at the compliment to herself. But then the logistics of the situation settled in her mind. She could not accept the invitation—the Fairfaxes had already put it about that they intended to leave Portsmouth the very morning Charlotte was to report for duty aboard Audacious. Yet how could she decline such an invitation without a reasonable explanation? “I…I shall have to speak with my mother about it.”
Mr. Fairfax’s brown curls bobbed with his emphatic nod. “Yes, of course you will. We shan’t be leaving until Thursday morning, so there is ample time to make all the arrangements.”
An idea started to form in Charlotte’s mind. Because the Fairfaxes were to leave Portsmouth on Thursday, the same day Charles Lottwas to report for duty, Charlotte might be able to use the invitation to her advantage.
“Now, on to other orders of business.” Fairfax grabbed the hem of his waistcoat and gave it a tug. “Miss Ransome, I believe I have the honor of your hand for the first set.” He extended his arm toward her.
With a grin, Charlotte rested her hand atop his sleeve. “No, Mr. Fairfax, the honor is all mine.”
The crowd already gathered in the middle of the ballroom parted before Charlotte and Percy, making her feel, even just for the tiniest moment, what Princess Charlotte Augusta must feel whenever she walked into a room. But unlike the Prince Regent’s only child, Charlotte Ransome would, after tonight, return to being just a common sailor’s daughter.
She caught a giggle in the back of her throat. Actually, not too much longer after tonight, she’d become just a common midshipman. Her gaze darted about the room from her position of honor to lead off the dance.
So many naval officers here tonight—ah, there by the door to the conservatory. Ned Cochrane carried on a lively conversation with another officer. The other man turned, and Charlotte gasped. Avoiding Ned tonight would be important; avoiding Lieutenant Howe, first officer of Audacious, would be vital.
The music started. Percy’s bow caught her attention, and Charlotte dropped into a curtsey just in time and then reached out to place her hand in his.
Though distracted by a constant awareness of Ned Cochrane’s presence, and the idea he might be watching her, Charlotte acquitted herself quite well in the intricate steps…and in receiving Percy Fairfax’s flirtatious remarks.
After the first dance ended and Charlotte once again took her place opposite Mr. Fairfax for the second dance of the set, a flutter amongst the other dancers made her look around again. At the other end of the columns of men and women, William and Julia took their places.
“I see Mrs. William Ransome gets to participate tonight instead of being relegated to providing accompaniment.”
“She is an accomplished pianist.” Charlotte stepped toward Percy, curtseyed, stepped back again, and then
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