Charming Charlie

Stunned into silence

PLease vote! vomment!

Chapter 2

Her father helped Charlotte's mother out of the carriage slowly as Charlotte pondered on how she would keep herself entertained or if she would make any acquaintances tonight. The life of a 'lady' was very lonely for her and all the lessons she had to go through just left her feeling abandoned and inconsolable by the end of the day, she wouldn't admit it out loud but she longed for a true friend who would stand by her.

Her mother and father linked hands and walked a few meters behind Charlotte, smiling at each other with an undying love. It's not that Charlotte didn't want to find love, it's that love had not yet found her- she would reassure herself when in doubt, or as her mother would always say 'good things come to those who wait'.

Charlotte lifted her head up slightly into a more confident posture and proceeded to walk down the pathway towards the grand entrance of the mansion with two butlers at her sides in ironed black and white tailcoats. It's not like she would go searching for love, she didn't even know what love felt like. She'd know when it appeared. If it ever did.

Charlotte could hear the waltzing music and laughter coming from the ballroom as the servants scurried around with platters of rich foods, she had wanted to make a quiet entrance but it seemed others thought not- as she trailed down the marble staircase someone announced:

"Entering now, the beautiful Lady Charlotte."

All eyes landed on her as she tried to make her entrance look more graceful and confident than she felt, some of the music had even stopped and many people were staring at her. She felt very uncomfortable but made it her mission to get to the bottom of the staircase without falling over. She wondered if she looked awful but her mind was put at ease as the chattering and music started again, as if nothing had even happened. Charlotte made her way over to the grand table and sat down, just watching everyone around her- especially the a few clown-like ladies drowning in overdone makeup and flouncy puffy gowns. She had seen many of them almost fall over, they would have if the gentlemen had not caught them in time. She had somewhat hoped that they would actuallly fall and make her night at least slightly amusing. She sighed heavily and slouched into the cushioned chair she had sat down in, but upon seeing her mother give her a pointed look from across the room, Charlotte immediately straightened up. A chuckle erupted from beside her, startling Charlotte. The laugh had erupted from a man who had sat down beside her, unnoticed. Charlotte tilted her head to the side to get a better view of the stranger, he had tousled brown hair on his head that had somewhat been combed and his eyes were a deep chocolate brown. That was all she could see as the majority of his face was covered with a delicate mask. After a while of unnessacery staring, the man finally spoke up.

"Sorry, how unintentionally rude of me, I am Lord William." He took her hand softly in his and gave it a small kiss before setting it down on her lap again. Normally Charlotte would have made up a petty excuse and fled by now, but her mother was watching her closely and she didn't want to risk being on the receiving end of ANOTHER lecture...

"That's quite alright Lord William. I am Lady Charlotte, but please do refrain from calling me Charlotte though, I prefer...Charlie, if that sits fine with you, if it doesn't, that can't be helped!" She exclaimed, taking his hand in hers and shaking it vigorously with a firm grasp. Lord William just sat there, looking confusedly at her. Charlotte preferred to have introductions out of the way beforehand, they were such a bore. Most people of the 'high' societies would call Charlotte a disgrace for shaking hands with a man and retorting back at his comments but this was Charlie, she honestly didn't care for laws and manners or such things (or at least some laws).

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you...Charlie....But if you don't mind me saying, what brings you to this ball? You look very.....uncomfortable.." Lord William observed. Charlotte smiled at his comment, it was true, she felt very out of place at this ball. She studied Lord William for a bit and decided he didn't seem like a threat and that so far he had proven himself to be nice, he looked genuine and had not 'made a move' on her so to put it- in her books, he was great friend material. In the heat of the moment, or perhaps just Charlotte being herself she decided, well if he was going to be her friend she might as well be truthful with him. So she proceeded to tell this man she had just met barley five minutes beforehand all her troubles. Charlotte knew she could be naive sometimes but she felt that it was the right thing to do. What harm could it do her, but get some weight off of her shoulders? She would probably never even see him again!

So she proceeded to tell him about marriage and laws and how it was unfair, everything she had ever wanted to vent out, tonight just seemed right. As she talked and chatted with him she grew more relaxed, it was great for her to talk to someone who would listen and not contradict. Lord William just sat and listened intently, nodding every so often. By the end of her rant he probably had a sufficient understanding of her life. He also shared some problems with her and opened up a little, which was nice because it didn't seem like he did that often.

"I am also having to get married soon, the ladies that my mother sends me are all there to get a title, I do wish that there was more time to find the perfect one..." Lord William sighed. Charlotte's eyes widened, does this man have the same type of problems as her, how so? She had thought that because he was a man he would get off lightly, seems not. She also couldn't ignore the small fluttering feeling that took place in her chest as these words were spoken- must be getting hungry -she concluded.

William stood up and bowed before leading her to the dancefloor, he put his arms to rest on her waist and she linked her hands gently behind his neck. They slowly waltzed across the ballroom floor, she just kept her eyes on him the whole time, he understood her.

At the end of the waltz he kissed her hand and leant towards her, he whispered in her ear.

"I should hope to see you again...Charlie." His warm breath fanned her neck sending shivers down her spine, she replied with a somewhat hopeful voice.

"Yes it was a pleasure, I do hope to see you again soon Lord William." She did a small curtsey before he nodded and walked out of the ballroom. Immediately after his departure, Charlotte's parents scampered up beside her, probably shocked at the sight of Charlotte smiling at a man and talking to him.

"Who was that Charlotte?" Her mother queried.

"Lord William." Charlotte hastily replied not wanting to spend too long on the subject of men, she knew what her parents would think, it wasn't even like that, they were practically strangers who had shared a few secrets, that's all.

"Oh... I haven't heard of him before..." Her mother muttered, Charlotte glanced at her mother- dhe hadn't heard of him before?! Her mother knew everyone there...Due to her fascination of parties and nobles and memorising the invitation list. Charlotte shook her head and put it down to a mistake, Lord William had just spoken to her so of course he was real.

"Twenty minutes until the Prince makes an appearance!"  Her mother squealed excitedly. Charlotte rolled her eyes, her mother loved the royals, she knew every little fact about them, and Charlotte couldn't bare them for that fact alone...