Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

C harlotte rose early the next morning. Truth be told, she didn't sleep much. Ashamed not of her outburst, but for her reaction to what she knew in her heart Simon had meant as playful, she played it over and over in her mind.

The desperation in her voice, the fear shaking within her as he grinned down at her, haunted her most of the night. She'd been weak, exposing her vulnerability.

And she cursed herself for her lapse. It would not happen again.

In the breakfast room, Drake rose as she entered. "Lady Charlotte. I didn't expect to see you this early." He glanced behind her, no doubt expecting to see Simon trailing behind.

"I could say the same for you, Your Grace. You had an eventful day yesterday."

Waiting until she served herself some toast and jam and took a seat, he reseated himself. "We both did."

"How is Honoria feeling?"

"She would lie and say she's feeling marvelous, but the pain in her eyes when she moves about gives her away. And she insists on feeding Kitty herself rather than using a wet nurse, so she was up half the night."

Charlotte spread the jam on her toast. "That does sound like Honoria." As nonchalantly as she could, she asked, "Have you seen Simon this morning?"

Cup poised at his lips, Drake's eyes widened. "No. I presumed he would be with you."

"Did I hear someone mention my name?" Simon waltzed in as if he had nary a care in the world. His world, perhaps, especially since he seemed to live in one filled with fantasy.

However, when his eyes met hers, they didn't match the easy smile on his face. "Good morning, darling. Sleep well?"

"Perfectly," she lied. "And you?"

"Like the dead." He jerked his gaze away quickly, as if even that bit of connection was too much for him.

Guilt slithered anew that her reaction had affected him as well, inadvertently accusing him of something he swore he would never do.

He strode to the sideboard. "Ah, breakfast. I'm famished."

Drake's attention bounced between them. He shook his head, then sipped his tea.

After Simon loaded his plate with what Charlotte was certain he couldn't finish, he took a seat next to Drake. "I want to meet that beautiful daughter of yours as soon as she's accepting callers."

Tea sputtered from Drake's lips. "Callers?! Good grief, don't even make me think of that yet. She's not even a day old." He set the cup down and wiped his mouth with the serviette. "However, I do want you to meet her. Honoria and I have something to ask you."

"Oh?"

"If I may," Charlotte interjected, "I'd like to accompany you. I have something I wish to discuss with Honoria." Charlotte avoided Simon's eyes, finding a spot between Drake and her husband to direct her gaze.

The men exchanged a questioning glance, but Drake answered. "If you are asking my permission, you have it. I'm sure Honoria would be glad to see you."

Simon stared at his plate of eggs, toast, and bacon. "Have my mother and sisters been pestering you to no end, wishing to hold the baby?"

Drake laughed, nodding. "And your father. He informed me not to hesitate to seek his counsel about rearing daughters. I may take him up on it, especially since the two oldest are yet unmarried. How has he kept the men at bay? Your sisters are all so lovely."

"A gun. And he's a crack shot," Simon answered, then shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth.

Charlotte's cup dropped on the saucer with a clink. "Truly? He shoots them?"

Simon's gaze tangled with hers. The earlier discomfort had disappeared, and his eyes glinted with the merriment she'd grown accustomed to. "Doesn't have to. He invites them into his study displaying his trophies. The gun hangs on the wall next to them, and he stands next to it as he explains in his sternest voice how he will not tolerate any disrespect of his daughters."

"That's bloody brilliant!" Drake shot an apologetic glance toward Charlotte. "I beg your pardon."

She waved it off, more interested in Simon's account of his father. "You're jesting."

"Not at all. You'll see for yourself when we spend time there for our wedding trip."

With Kitty's unexpected birth, Charlotte wondered if leaving was such a good idea. "Can you manage without him, Your Grace?"

"I've already informed Simon that as much as I depend on him—and make no mistake, Lady Charlotte, I do depend on him as flighty as my friend may seem—I can manage my own books, and servants can assume any other duties. Go. Enjoy getting to know each other better." Something unsaid lingered in the duke's statement.

But she didn't dwell on it. Enjoyment itself would be a tall order.

"Very well. I should like to see this so-called suitor detractor. It makes me wonder why your father goes to such lengths. Doesn't he have faith in your sisters making an acceptable match?"

Simon laughed. "You've met my sisters. What do you think?"

"Frannie seems most sensible."

"And Frannie is only ten-and-seven. But no, it's not so much he doesn't trust their judgment, but he wants them to make a love match like his own. He's very good at reading others' true feelings."

Not so very good. Hadn't the man rambled on about how happy he was that Simon had found a woman he loved and who loved him in return? The man's ability to read feelings had either deteriorated greatly since Simon had last seen them in action or both men were delusional.

Drake clapped his hands together. "Finish your breakfast, Simon. I want to introduce you to my daughter."

Simon shoveled in the last of his eggs.

Really, the man had shown better manners when he was impersonating the duke.

Bent over his plate, he peered up at her. "You're giving me the look my mother gives me."

"Hmph. Might that be because you are acting like a slovenly pig?"

Wiping his lips, he rose, moved to her side, and held out his hand. "Redundant, don't you think? I don't know of many tidy pigs. They do love their mud."

An unexpected laugh bubbled up. She slipped her hand into his, and rising, whispered in his ear. "Don't interpret that laugh for more than it was."

His lips quirked, but he kept his gaze straight ahead. "I would never presume something so preposterous as the idea of you having a sense of humor." He cleared his throat. "To the baby!"

Upstairs, Drake knocked on Honoria's door, cracked it, and peeked inside. "Simon and Charlotte are here, my love."

"Well, let them in, Drake." Although Honoria's voice still held a note of exhaustion, it sparkled with cheerfulness.

When they stepped inside, Simon hesitated, his eyes widening at the tiny bundle in Honoria's arms.

Honoria's eyes filled with love as she gazed at her husband. "Have you asked him?"

Drake shook his head. "I wanted us to do it together as we did for Charlotte." He turned toward Simon. "Would you do us the honor of being Kitty's godfather? Charlotte has already agreed to be godmother."

Simon's head jerked toward her as if the announcement was the most absurd thing he'd heard all day. He seemed overtaken with emotion. For what, Charlotte wasn't entirely sure, but she suspected it was the same she felt when presented with the honor.

"Of course," he choked out.

"Good. I'm glad that's settled before you leave for Wiltshire." Drake said.

Honoria stopped cooing to the baby. "You're leaving?"

"Only for a while," Charlotte said.

"My love," Drake said, lifting the baby from Honoria's arms. "They've just been married. We must allow them a wedding trip." He rocked the baby, and a secret smile crossed his lips. "I still remember ours."

Simon coughed, his gaze sliding to Charlotte's. "I'll tell my family this morning and send them ahead, then I'll have our trunks packed. Is tomorrow too soon?"

Charlotte shook her head .

"Then perhaps you might wish to hold Kitty a bit before you leave?" Drake placed the baby in Charlotte's arms.

Kitty scrunched her face and let out an ear-piercing scream. Charlotte tensed. How did one calm a crying child? She jostled the baby, whose face reddened further.

"Here. Allow me." Simon strode over and rescued both her and the baby. He cooed to Kitty much like Honoria had earlier, his dazzling smile directed solely toward her. "There, there. That is no way for a beautiful lady to act. And you are beautiful, little Kitty. Where's a smile for Simon?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Babies don't smile."

And yet, Kitty's cries diminished to little sobs and pulls of breath as she quieted and gazed up in Simon's face with adoration and wonder, as if Simon's world revolved around only her.

Charlotte couldn't help but wonder what that would be like, and a weed of envy poked through her armor.

Simon gazed at the infant in his arms, so tiny and helpless. Kitty was fortunate to have Drake as a father. Dependable, trustworthy, considering all manner of dangers that might await his charge and doing all that was necessary to protect her.

Simon was none of those things. How could Drake even think of asking him to be Kitty's godfather? He would more likely lead her into the jaws of danger, eager to tackle the next challenge and stare down the next dangerous beast.

But wait. Charlotte was to be the child's godmother. Surely, she would balance him out. He couldn't imagine the woman taking any type of risk. Rather, she would calculate every potential danger and forge a safe and unexciting path.

At least he was good at soothing. Pretty words, and soft smiles, he could give. Stability and safety—not really .

"You have a gift, Simon." Honoria drew his attention from the infant. "I will miss you and Charlotte, but Drake is right. You need the time alone to begin your lives together. If I may, could I speak to Charlotte in private?"

"May I keep holding her for a while?" Simon asked.

Drake placed a hand on Simon's shoulder. "Of course. Your family was in the drawing room earlier. Let's take Kitty down there and let your mother have some time with her before they leave."

"I won't keep her long, Simon," Honoria said as he and Drake slipped out the door.

Unease tightened Simon's chest, and Kitty squirmed in his arms. "What does Honoria want to talk to Charlotte about?"

Drake shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps she wants to know how things are going between you two." Drake's probing gaze indicated Honoria wasn't the only one to wonder.

"About as well as one would expect for a forced marriage."

The tips of Drake's ears colored. "Um. Did you two...?"

"Consummate the marriage? Really, Drake, you've been married for a little over nine months and sex still embarrasses you?"

Simon almost laughed at Drake's affronted expression.

"It's not embarrassment. I'm trying to be delicate."

"And yet, you asked anyway." Simon held the infant closer to his chest as they descended the staircase. "The answer to your question is no. We did not. I promised I wouldn't demand anything from her." His mind jolted back to Charlotte's panicked reaction the night before, and strangely it went to Davies. Had the man done more than strike her? For the moment, he brushed the uncomfortable thought aside and focused on the child in his arms.

"So, the state of Charlotte's and your disheveled hair and clothing was?—"

"A ruse for my family's benefit. They think I married for love, although I suspect my mother has read the scandal sheet and has her doubts."

Drake shook his head. "Are you certain staying with your family is the wisest thing? You and Charlotte need time alone."

"And we'll have it. In the cottage my grandmother used. It's far enough away to give us some privacy, but close enough to make an appearance or two to satisfy my family." And he secretly hoped Charlotte would grow to love his family, not only as a support when he died but also to convince her to provide an heir to secure all of their futures.

Of course, he also hoped for some good fishing and hunting, but he kept all that to himself. No need to have Drake chiding him for his lack of romantic feelings.

At the foot of the staircase, Frampton greeted them. "The Countess Gryffin has come to pay her respects and see the baby, Your Grace. She wouldn't allow me to announce her; she's in the drawing room with Mr. Beckham's family."

Boisterous chatter rose from the drawing room, energizing Simon. He thrived on the lively conversation that busied his mind and distracted it from less pleasant things.

Such as how to win over his ice queen of a wife.

Charlotte straightened the counterpane around Honoria, busying herself to avoid her friend's questioning. She had no doubt what Honoria wished to speak to her about. "Would you like some tea? Have you eaten?" She slipped into the role of caretaker with an ease that surprised her.

"Stop fussing and sit." Honoria patted the mattress beside her.

The action pulled Charlotte back to the previous night and Simon on her bed.

"Are you certain it won't disturb you? "

Honoria winced as she pushed against the mattress, pulling herself upright a little more. "No more than Drake did tossing and turning all night."

What in the world had the man been thinking? His wife had just given birth! "Should I speak with him and suggest he stay in his own bed?"

Honoria laughed. "Only you would dare to reprimand a duke. No, he wanted to be close to me and Kitty. And I can't refuse him anything." Color flooded her cheeks. "Truth be told, we never sleep apart."

She patted the mattress again, and Charlotte sat and took Honoria's hand.

Honoria's brow furrowed. "I don't even know quite how to ask this."

"Perhaps you could try my approach and be direct?" Charlotte prepared herself.

"Did things go well last night? Was Simon gentle with you?"

"Didn't Drake tell you? My husband spent most of the evening at a gaming hell. Nothing happened between us." At least not what Honoria was dancing around.

"Oh." Honoria seemed . . . disappointed.

"Remember, ours is not a love match like yours and Drake's. Neither of us wanted this. It's an arrangement, nothing more. There are no tender feelings which need to be acted upon."

Honoria shook her head. "How can you not see it? Simon cares for you. Why else would he offer for you to save your reputation?"

"He has his reasons, which I'm not at liberty to reveal. But Simon Beckham only cares for what folly awaits him."

"Oh, Charlotte, that's not true. Simon is an honorable man. And I'm not the only one to notice there is something between you." Pink bloomed on her cheeks again. "Surely, he would be willing if you gave him the slightest encouragement. And I'm certain he would be gentle and attentive. I've found great pleasure in being married."

"If this is supposed to replace the conversation I would have had with my mother on the eve of my wedding, consider your task complete."

"Promise me you'll give him a chance?"

Pressure tightened around Charlotte's chest. She knew she couldn't put off Simon forever. But promising Honoria made it much too real. She swallowed. "I promise."

"Good." She yawned and stretched. "Now, while I have an opportunity, I think I shall try to sleep."

Charlotte rose and once again straightened the counterpane around her friend.

Then she strode out the door, summoning the strength to see her promise through.