Fortune Knocks Once (11 page)

“On the way home we must talk about the ball next week. There is so much to do to get you ready for your big moment.”

When they were not shopping, Lizzie was always coaching Charlotte, in manners, giving her instructions for conducting herself in public. Charlotte’s education in the ways and means of London Society, her preparation to take her rightful place as Colin’s wife, could not have been conducted by a more knowledgeable or caring teacher. And her pupil has blossomed under her tutelage.

They both quickly hastened to ready themselves and left the shop just as their carriage pulled up and the two footmen hurried inside to collect their purchases. Packages safely settled, they both relaxed onto their seats as the carriage moved out into the noisy and crowded London traffic to make its way back to Colin’s townhouse.

Both women relaxed against the seat feeling tired and ready for home after their several hours that day hurrying to and fro in fashionable pursuits. During the carriage ride home, Charlotte gave Lizzie a serious look, started to speak and then timidly looked away and out the window to the passing London streets.

“What is wrong dear? I can always tell when something is troubling you.”

“I should not say,” Charlotte whispered, shaking her head as her forehead wrinkled and her mouth turned down into a troubled frown.

“No, you must tell me. Maybe I could help.”

Charlotte’s face reddened as she lowered her head and in a very low voice continued, “I-I was j-just wondering if C-C-Colin would be home.

He never is anymore. I rarely see him.

“He is quite often gone from home, is he not?”

Charlotte nodded her head. The fun and joy of the shopping trip with Lizzie was displaced by a feeling of disquiet and agitation. She bit her lip in contemplation and stared out the carriage window with a vacant expression. Her hands were suddenly lifeless and still in her lap.

“Are you missing him?”

Charlotte looked at Lizzie and sadly nodded her head, her velvety liquid eyes revealing her inner turmoil. Lizzie took Charlotte’s hand and gently stroked it, while speaking very softly and soothingly.

“Darling, Colin has always associated with a very “fast” set in London.  He is just adjusting to his newfound wealth and the joy of enjoying it in the most decadent city in the world. His financial restrictions have never allowed him to really have fun before.”

Charlotte’s face wrinkled in a scowl and she turned her head away.

He is having that fun at my expense. He comes home very late. I am always sleeping when he comes home. He joins me in bed, then sleeps until noon and goes out again.

“Let him have his escapades. That is the way of it for husbands and wives in London. It is not fashionable to be always together.”

“Wh-when I d-do s-s-see him d-during the d-day he is dr-dr-drunk or hung over.”

“Of course, darling. That is the natural state of the British aristocracy. Why should Colin be any different from all the other males of his class?”

“I worry about his drinking,” Charlotte whispered. “He is different, not…not the same person…in Kil-Kil-K-K…at home, he was wonder…wonderful…” Charlotte appeared on the verge of tears.

Lizzie stretched her arm around Charlotte’s shoulder and pulled her into a hug. “That is enough worrying about something over which you have no control. Believe me when I say your situation is no different than any other London wife.

“Now you must cheer up. Wait until you see the fun I have in store for you. You asked for a singing instructor; well I have found just the man for you.” Lizzie’s eyes twinkled merrily as she looked down at Charlotte expectantly.

Charlotte looked at her with a puzzled expression but at that moment the carriage arrived home and the footman opened the door so they could step down. When they entered the house Lizzie quickly hustled her upstairs to change and tidy up, spending an inordinate amount of time fussing and clucking until Charlotte was changed, her hair and person perfect.

~~~

Two hours later Charlotte and Lizzie were sitting in the formal parlor awaiting the arrival of the man engaged to provide singing instruction to Charlotte.

Lizzie, as always was sitting quietly composed and regal while Charlotte, looking lovely and fashionable, nervously twisted her hands and fidgeted in her chair unable to wait patiently.

Gil entered the room, “My lady, your singing instructor, a Mr. Colson, is here.”

Behind Gil, a young and extremely handsome and fashionable young man stood politely waiting to enter the room. When Gil stepped aside, the young man crisply walked into the room and formally bowed to the two ladies.

His light blonde hair was worn short and curled as was fashionable, with several delightful curls artfully swept over his forehead. Long, thick sideburns trailed curling down the sides of his otherwise smoothly shaven face.
Blue eyes sparkled from a face with fine, even features. A cleft in his chin, and quick dimples on both cheeks that flashed as he smiled at them, added just enough rugged appeal to assure feminine admiration and leave no doubt of his masculinity.

Lizzie stepped forward and introduced herself to Mr. Colson, “You come very highly recommended, Mr. Colson. We are so pleased you have made yourself available and could accommodate our needs so quickly,” she said provocatively. “This is Charlotte.” Lizzie took Charlotte’s arm and squeezed lightly. “She is to be your student.”

He was just a few inches shorter than Lizzie and slight of stature so when Charlotte stepped forward shyly and stood next to him, they appeared evenly matched – not unlike a pair of purebreds carefully selected and perfectly coordinated to companion a smart curricle.

He bowed his head elegantly in Charlotte’s direction and extended his hand. She slowly offered her hand to him and he gently clasped her hand in his and kissed it, barely touching her. “My lady, I thank you for this opportunity to serve you.”

Charlotte nodded shyly and looked into his face. He gazed back admiringly, causing Charlotte to blush prettily and turn her head in embarrassment.

He likes me! What a perfectly nice man.

Lizzie confidently took each of them by an arm and gently turned them toward the new pianoforte that had been delivered and tuned a few days earlier.

“Now you two must get right to work. I am leaving shortly and I don’t want to intrude on your first lesson. I know Charlotte is most anxious to get started, are you not Charlotte?” Lizzie said giving her a cat-in-the-cream-pitcher look.

“Yes. That w-w-would be n-nice,” Charlotte said softly.

Lizzie stepped away giving them both a gentle push toward the pianoforte as she went.

“That is my wish too, my lady. We shall begin immediately,” he said offering his arm to Charlotte who placed her hand tentatively on the sleeve of his dark, richly colored coat. He slowly led her over to the beautiful, shining instrument, talking softly to her.

During the next twenty minutes, Mr. Colson and Charlotte took turns playing and he encouraged her to sing various pieces to gauge her range and repertoire. They worked together intently, shutting off all awareness of Lizzie sitting quietly reading, or anything else taking place around them.

They were completely engrossed in the music and engaged in their mutual appreciation for the beautiful sounds they were creating when the sound of the front door opening and shutting drifted into the parlor.

Lizzie raised her head from her book when she heard Colin talking to Gil in the front hall. She glanced at Charlotte to see her reaction to Colin’s return and chuckled when she realized that Charlotte had not noticed.

Mr. Colson was standing behind her and occasionally moving her fingers for proper placement on the keys. He bent over as needed to whisper into her ear, causing her to still and listen with intense concentration. Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed as she stared intently at her fingers and moved her hands with obvious determination.

Lizzie walked over to the doorway to greet Colin who was now standing there gazing into the room. She gave him a thorough examination, sweeping her eyes from his tousled hair to his wrinkled clothes and dirty boots. “My lord, so nice to see you home for once,” Lizzie said archly as she eyed him from head to toe.

“What is that supposed to mean,” Colin barked rudely. “Lay off me, Lizzie,” he said as his eyes swept the sitting room. He immediately turned and started walking to the hall stairs to retire to his bedchamber.

He had not been home in the last 36 hours and felt exhausted and filthy. He needed a bath and a bed in that order, he thought gruffly. He didn’t have time for Lizzie’s interference or managing ways. It is hard enough to handle Charlotte’s hurt looks and disappointment without putting another difficult female into the picture, he thought angrily.

None of her damn business anyway. Just having a little fun. Not doing anything wrong. And come to think of it, if I am never here, she is always here! Would think she didn’t have a home of her own, for god’s sake.

Suddenly he stopped short before reaching the stairs, slowly turned around, walked back to the doorway of the parlor with his face darkened and menacing, and growled, “Who the hell is that?”

Lizzie looked up at him in amusement. “Colin, remember your manners. It is Charlotte’s singing instructor. You do remember requesting that I make arrangements with someone for that purpose, do you not?” She delicately arched her eyebrow is his direction.

“Bloody he...What! I thought all singing instructors were old, wrinkled, you know grey-haired old things, like nannies and governesses.”

“Well,” Lizzie drawled. “It is my belief that they can’t all be old.” She started nonchalantly picking lint from Colin’s coat as she talked. “I would imagine they start young and grow older, just like the rest of us. This particular young man comes highly recommended.” She gave up her grooming attempts with a disgusted grimace and slapped her hands together.

Then she watched Colin as he stared into the parlor, taking in the tender scene at the piano. Mr. Colson had joined Charlotte on the piano bench and was sitting next to her, right next to her. He was moving her hands, touching her fingers, whispering softly to her all the while.

Colin scowled at Charlotte and Mr. Colson sitting on the piano bench, oblivious to Lizzie’s scrutiny. “Not sure I like this.”

“But darling Colin, you asked me to find someone to teach Charlotte and I must say, they are getting along beautifully. She is so fragile and precious. She needs someone who will treat her with respect, someone mindful of her delicate feelings, someone who appreciates all her fine qualities. Not just anyone would do, don’t you agree?”

Lizzie looked into Colin’s face with a false aura of innocence, her eyebrows raised in questioning entreaty and an undeniable smirk on her lips.

Colin swung his head around to look at Lizzie, understanding the underlying meaning in her words. “You mean not someone like me, don’t you? I am a big brute and am treating Charlotte badly. It’s getting damned annoying talking to you Lizzie.”