Gentleman of Her Dreams
from being alone with their children.”
    Charlotte caught Henry’s eyes and shrugged. “It’s all a complete misunderstanding.”
    “I don’t think encouraging a six-year-old to test out your latest invention could ever be confused as a simple misunderstanding,” Mrs. Wilson said with a sniff.
    “Sophia needs adventure, seeing as how Charles stifles her, and how was I to know the wheels would fall off the miniature bicycle I made for her?”
    “The loss of the wheels caused poor Sophia to run over her father, and that caused Charles to land in a puddle of mud, which resulted in me getting a lecture from him regarding my inability to control you,” Mrs. Wilson said. “And don’t even get me started on what he had to say regarding your ‘special’ bicycle outfit.”
    “Charles has always been too stuffy for his own good,” Charlotte muttered. “Sophia wasn’t harmed and neither was Charles. Personally, I believe Sophia was delighted over the whole affair, which just goes to prove that children adore me.”
    “Because they see you as one of their peers,” Mrs. Wilson said with a roll of her eyes. “I do not mean to offend you, darling, but a gentleman such as Mr. Beckett, while certainly searching for a woman who would make a wonderful mother, will only consider a woman who is sophisticated and somewhat worldly.”
    “I can be sophisticated if I put my mind to it,” Charlotte mumbled.
    Mrs. Wilson arched a brow. “My dear, you know perfectly well that is not true. You’ve been blessed with an unusual spirit and a taste for the peculiar, and unfortunately, most gentlemen are not going to be able to appreciate that in you, including Mr. Beckett. He’s far too somber, and you deserve a kindred spirit. As your mother, it is my duty to encourage you to look in a different direction.” She turned and winked at Henry.
    Now they were getting somewhere.
    “Mother, I know you’re going to find this somewhat odd, but the reason I’ve chosen Mr. Beckett is because I believe he’s been sent to me by God.”
    How was a person supposed to argue with that type of reasoning?
    To Henry’s surprise, Mrs. Wilson nodded. “I’m sure God is directing you, darling, but you know as well as I do that God works in ways we can’t understand. You might have misunderstood, which is something I do often, so I wouldn’t get your heart set on Mr. Beckett just yet. God might have someone else in mind for you.”
    Henry watched as Mrs. Wilson sent him another wink, patted her daughter on the cheek, and strode down the hallway, turning to pause when she reached the other end. “Do try to stay out of trouble, both of you. At your advanced ages, I would hope that shouldn’t be too much to ask.”
    “She doesn’t like Mr. Beckett,” Charlotte said when Mrs. Wilson disappeared.
    “She didn’t say that, Charlotte. She said he wasn’t for you.”
    “He’s the most sought-after gentleman in New York City.”
    “But . . . you don’t know him.”
    Charlotte released a loud sigh. “I know I don’t, but if all goes according to plan, I’ll meet him today.”
    Henry blew out a breath. “Should I even ask what part you want me to play in your little fiasco?”
    “I need you to help me with the boat.”
    “The boat that no one believes is seaworthy?” he asked.
    Charlotte gave an airy wave of her hand. “It’s completely seaworthy. I’ve tested it out.”
    Henry frowned. “Where, pray tell, did you do that?”
    Charlotte nibbled on her lip, the action drawing his attention. She had the most delectable lips, very plump, and he’d often wondered what it would be like to kiss them.
    He shook himself as he realized Charlotte had answered his question, but since he’d been lost in his little daydream, he’d missed all the pertinent parts.
    Should he ask her to repeat her answer?
    No, that would only cause her to realize something was amiss, and he certainly couldn’t allow her to realize that he found her lips all too
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