28. Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter twenty-eight

C harlotte could hardly believe her good fortune. She had just married the most handsome man in the world with her father and brother by her side. The morning was so magnificent that she could not find it in herself to care that Lady Chesterhill pouted the entire wedding ceremony.

After a delightful luncheon, Papa presented Charlotte with an ornate birdcage containing two lovebirds. The male was various shades of blue and green with a yellow dot on his head. The female had a brilliant green body, a yellow neck, and an orange head, making her resemble half a rainbow.

Charlotte bounced on her toes with excitement. “Papa, they are lovely.”

“You were so forlorn when your others escaped that I thought they would be the perfect wedding present. ”

Escaped her big toe. But more importantly, he had noticed she was heartbroken over Romeo and Juliet. Up until this moment, he had seemed oblivious.

“I shall name them Rosalind and Orlando,” Charlotte declared.

“They are beautiful.” Emily reached a finger into the cage to pat Orlando’s yellow feathers. “This entire morning was wonderful. Thank you for inviting me, Charlie.”

“I am delighted you traveled back to Chesterhill Manor to join us,” Charlotte said with utmost sincerity. Emily had proven to be a compassionate friend, and she made Alexander happy.

“May Rosalind and Orlando travel with us?” Charlotte asked Hugh.

He chuckled. “I suppose so, as long as Snowball is not opposed. And as long as… Hold on—” He disappeared momentarily, returning with a lidless basket adorned with a blue bow. A tiny nose poked over the edge of the wicker and sniffed.

Please let it be a puppy . Charlotte held her breath as she peeked into the container.

An adorable black pup with a white stripe running the length of its nose woofed at her.

Almost everyone oohed and ahhed . Her stepmother, the lone dissenter, crossed her arms over her chest and scowled.

Charlotte lifted her baby into the air to check its sex. “’Tis a boy,” she proclaimed. “I shall call him Pepper, for he is black and, I believe, quite spicy.”

The wriggling puppy licked her nose.

“Pepper may travel with us as long as Snowball and Lucy do not mind.” Hugh chuckled as he rubbed his jaw. “It seems we will arrive at my mother’s with quite the menagerie. ”

Lady Chesterhill rolled her eyes. “I do wish you would take that three-legged beast living in our barn. The animal is an abomination!”

“Could we?” Charlotte asked Hugh, knowing full well that a goat could not spend days in a carriage or run about a fancy inn.

“I am afraid a goat would be miserable in a carriage for days on end,” Hugh said.

Charlotte clamped her lips, attempting to hold her temper in check. But it was no use because she was terribly worried about Cricket’s safety. Clutching Pepper to her chest in a protective hold, Charlotte glared at Lady Chesterhill.

“You just left her by the side of the road to die. I saw the entire incident. I see no reason for you or your staff to visit Cricket if you find her such an abomination.”

“She ran over our goat?” Alexander moaned. “For Christ’s sake, Mother . With your enormous private staff, you did not help the poor animal, and now you have nothing better to do with your time than lurk about the barn?”

“I suppose counting your fangs does get boring after a while,” Hugh said.

“I have never lurked about the barn,” Lady Chesterhill hissed at Alexander before glaring at Hugh.

Only because she had Leon to do her lurking.

Papa clutched his heart. “Family, please?”

Perchance, if they found Papa a new paramour, his health might improve.

Seeming unfazed by Papa’s plea, Hugh’s jaw clenched. “I have no intention of tolerating—”

“Hugh, please,” Charlotte pleaded. Papa could not suffer a spell on her wedding day. He just couldn’t. She’d been wrong to allow her temper to snap .

Hugh exhaled, and his expression softened. “Our flat in the city is ready. Billy can move there ahead of us and take Cricket to the stable I rented.”

“I will ensure it is taken care of before the end of the day,” Alexander offered.

The thought of their new home filled Charlotte with delight and reminded her she had yet to give Hugh his special gift. She placed Pepper in his basket and handed it to her brother. She was so excited it took effort not to dash across the room.

She squatted beside the settee and dragged a heavy rectangle of wood out from behind its hiding place.

Hugh rushed to her side to assist. Picking it up as if it weighed nothing, he asked, “What is this?”

Charlotte clasped her hands together, waiting for him to read the sign.

His face lit up, and he presented it to his audience.

Fletcher’s Investigations and Bounty had been carved into the wooden signpost and painted light green. A glowworm left a golden trail beneath the title, posing proudly on the right side of the plaque, her wings fluttering and her body twinkling.

“Do you love it?” she asked. “I used my pin money to commission it.”

“I do,” Hugh said. “’Tis the most wonderful present I have ever received. Billy can take the sign with him and hang it up tomorrow. For now, we should be on our way. Traveling with our barnyard will probably take us an extra day.”

Charlotte giggled. “One kitten, one puppy, and two birds are hardly a barnyard.”

“Let us see if you still say that after four days in a carriage.” Hugh placed the sign against the wall and took the basket from Alexander. “Mrs. Fletcher, you had better gather the rest of our party so that we can begin our long journey.”

Charlotte hugged him so tightly that she squeezed a breathy gasp from him. Thereupon, she dashed up the stairs to retrieve Lucy and Snowball.

The ride across the countryside in her father’s carriage with her new family was delightful. Lucy proved quite helpful with the animals, and the three of them never ran out of things to talk about. At night, once Charlotte and Hugh were locked in their chamber, in whatever coaching inn they were staying at, they made love and whispered sweet sentiments to each other. At other times, Hugh cooed filthy things in her ear. Somehow, he always knew which she was in the mood for. Her only hope was that Lucy and their coachmen could not hear her screams of pleasure and the headboard slamming against the wall from wherever their chambers happened to be.

They arrived at the Crown Jewel Inn one day behind schedule because they had traveled at a leisurely pace and changed horses quite often. They had also overslept a couple of times after nights filled with sensual gymnastics.

As complementary as Hugh’s description was, it did not do justice to the stately four-story inn or its extensive gardens. A half dozen bay windows and wrap-around balconies jutting from the front of the building gave it a relaxed feel despite its grandeur.

Hugh’s mother exited the inn, her skirts billowing in the sea breeze as she descended the stairs and greeted them on the front walkway. A few members of her staff followed behind her.

“Honey bear, I was so worried that something had happened. We expected you last evening.” Cradling his face, Hugh’s mother gave him the once over. “I dare say, marriage suits you.”

“The trip was without incident. We simply traveled slowly.” He kissed his mother on the cheek and then placed his hand on the small of Charlotte’s back. “Mama, this is Charlotte.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Fletch—” was all Charlotte got out before being embraced in a hug that practically lifted her off her feet.

“I hope you will call me Mama Justine and think of me as your second mother.”

“I would love that.” Charlotte patted at a sentimental tear dripping from the corner of her eye.

“And this is Lucy,” Hugh said. “Charlotte’s companion.”

Lucy stood behind Charlotte, holding the large birdcage. She curtsied.

“Welcome, Lucy,” their gracious host said. “That appears to be quite cumbersome.” She waved for one of her staff to take the birdcage from Lucy.

“I am afraid we have more guests in the carriage,” Hugh said.

Charlotte’s new mother held her hand to her eyebrow to shield her eyes from the setting sun as she peered over Lucy’s shoulder. “Of course. I have also prepared a room for your coachmen.”

Hugh hesitated before announcing, “That is wonderful, but we also have Snowball and Pepper with us.”

“I have a puppy and a kitten,” Charlotte added.

“Oh, how delightful,” Mama Justine said .

A lovely woman about Charlotte’s age flew down the stairs, throwing herself at Hugh, almost knocking him off his feet. Between her giggles, she managed to call out, “Hughey Bear.”

“Itsy Bitsy Betsy.” Hugh steadied himself, picked her up, and spun her around.

Once he set her on her feet, she covered Charlotte’s face with kisses.

“Charlotte, meet my sister, Elizabeth,” Hugh said.

“I have always wanted a sister and she is as beautiful as your letters said.” Elizabeth linked arms with Charlotte. “Come. Let me show you your honeymoon chamber. ’Tis our grandest room. You even have a private bath.” She winked. “And I filled your space with fresh flowers and rose petals. There are so many rose petals.”

Giddy with excitement, Charlotte allowed herself to be led into the inn. Meanwhile, their mother waved a hand above her head, setting a whirlwind of activity into motion. Within no time at all, Charlotte and her traveling companions were settled in.