The Seduction of Lady Charity: The Baxendale Sisters Book Four by Maggi Andersen Page B

pointed. “In the distance.”
    “I can see it shimmering. One day, I should like to visit it and the gardens.”
    “I’ll be pleased to give you a guided tour. When would it be convenient?”
    She turned around to face him. Before she could answer, someone knocked on the door.
    Robin sighed. “Enter.”
    His butler came in. “Lord Bellamy has arrived, Your Grace. As he has joined Lady Mercy in the salon, I thought I’d better advise you.”
    “Thank you, Franklin.”
    Charity was already heading for the door.

Chapter Ten

    When Charity entered the salon with Robin, she stopped and drew breath. Held close in Francis’ arms, Mercy waltzed with him across the expanse of carpet.
    “Mercy!”
    Her young sister turned to them as Francis dropped his arms and stepped away.
    Mercy widened her eyes. “I was merely teaching Lord Bellamy to waltz.”
    “I am sure he is quite familiar with the dance,” Robin said dryly, frowning at his friend.
    “Not the finer points.” Francis gave an embarrassed shrug. “And Lady Mercy is a remarkably good dancer. Light as a feather.”
    Robin crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “I don’t doubt it, but it would be wise for you to seek instruction elsewhere, Bellamy.”
    Charity turned to Robin. “We should leave.”
    He straightened and went to pull the bell. “Of course. I’ll have your gig brought around.”
    “Will you come again tomorrow?” he asked as he saw them off. “You have yet to view the portrait gallery. And we might have time to visit the lake.”
    “I would be pleased to. Thank you.”
    Charity took up the reins, and the horse began walking down the long drive. Once they’d passed through the ornate gates, she turned to Mercy, who was uncharacteristically quiet. “You must be careful, Mercy. Your reputation, once damaged, can never be mended.”
    “I don’t think I did anything so awfully bad.”
    “Dancing alone with a gentleman you are barely acquainted with, when you are not yet out? And you are too outspoken.”
    “So I must become a quiet little mouse and never express an opinion?”
    “Of course not. Honor, Faith, and Hope speak their mind, and I believe I do also. Just be careful and don’t encourage them.”
    “But you’re not interested in marriage, Charity. And I want to be wed.”
    Charity took her eye off the road to study Mercy’s face. She didn’t like seeing her unhappy. “Of course you do, dearest. But you’ll soon be attending assemblies and can dance every dance. I know you won’t be short of partners.”
    “Lord Bellamy has wonderful green eyes, with a deeper green around the iris.”
    “I cannot say that I noticed his eyes.”
    “You don’t think he’s handsome?”
    “I can’t say I do. It’s entirely irrelevant, anyway, for he is not for you.”
    “Why not? His father is an earl.”
    Charity sighed. “I do hope your taste in men improves, Mercy. You seem to have a penchant for rakes.”
    “I’m still not entirely sure what a rake is. If it means they are charming, and never boring, I suppose I must have.”
    “Rakes do not make good husbands.” Charity patted her sister’s hand. “You have a wonderful London season ahead of you when you’ll meet many suitable gentlemen. But you must present yourself with more deportment. Please think before you act and speak. One false step can ruin a young girl’s life.”
    Charity pulled herself up short. Here she was warning Mercy against being different, when it was what she’d always fought for, for herself. But that way lay pain, and she hated the idea of seeing her sister hurt.
    “If I must.” Mercy chewed her lip with a frown.
    Charity wondered if her words fell on deaf ears. Mercy would always be Mercy, and Charity had to admit her sister had a good deal of charm. In time, she would choose her own path and was likely to be even more unconventional than Charity was herself. A fact she couldn’t help applauding. “You’re to go home with Mama in a