Chapter 9The following evening, Charles arrived as summoned at the splendid hired house on The Circus. He was welcomed warmly and immediately taken upstairs to the main reception room, in pleasing contrast to the officious presentations at the Assembly Rooms. It occurred to him that the formality of the past four weeks had been a strain on his nerves as he was led into the drawing room and the general merriment as if he belonged there.
The elegant space was filled with Avery’s extended family, chattering and laughing over the sounds of the hired musicians. Aunt Clarissa sat in state on a raised dais framed by the elaborately curtained windows behind her, so she could enjoy an overview of her celebration.
After his disconcerting exchange with Miss Fitzalan the day before, Charles had step
