Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The journey back to the house seemed much shorter than William remembered. He was almost tempted to take a detour to spend more time alone with Charlotte. She had made the ride enjoyable with little bits of information and tales about her life. The woman didn't have a mundane bone in her body.

"I have enjoyed our ride today," she commented, glancing at him. "We should do more of these."

William couldn't have agreed more. "We should and we will," he promised. "I'll set time aside this week."

Charlotte smiled and looked away. "We're still a few hours away from sunset," she said. "Do you ever just sit and watch the sunrise or sunset?"

"Not lately, although I should," he admitted.

"We should set aside one morning and evening together," Charlotte suggested. "We can have coffee or tea in the morning and watch it from your mother's parlor. Later, we can sit in the garden with a glass of lemonade or something a little stronger and watch the sunset. Star gazing is another favorite pastime of mind, and so is cloud-watching."

"When do you get time to do all these things?" William asked.

"I divide my day accordingly, but I don't do everything every day," she explained. "I grow bored of activities rather quickly, so I prefer to have many to choose from. One day, I might do a spot of painting and practice archery. The next, I'll go foraging for berries, mushrooms, or herbs—it depends on the season."

His wife certainly led a busy life. She didn't strike him as the women who sat around gossiping, embroidering, or playing the pianoforte all day. Not that he had anything against those activities, but he often wondered if the women were bored. His stepmother enjoyed fashion and usually had her seamstress come to the house to design dresses for each season. If she wasn't planning her wardrobe, she was planning parties or going to them. Charlotte hadn't mentioned anything about parties or a new wardrobe other than coordinating their outfits.

"The house has a room dedicated to all art forms," he said. "Sketching, drawing, painting—whatever your needs. I'll have Mrs. Clarkson ensure you have all the necessary materials and equipment."

Charlotte leaned forward and stroked her mare's mane. "That isn't necessary," she replied. "I'll buy everything I need with my pin money. You have been more than generous."

William frowned. She was refusing him. "There's no need to use your pin money," he insisted. "I'm your husband, and I'll provide all your needs."

Charlotte chuckled, surprising him. "How shall I use my pin money if you insist on buying everything? I like going to the shops and picking all the things I like. There's no reason to spend more money."

"But I want to buy things for you," William argued.

Charlotte sat up with a frown. "Is this because you feel guilty about how our marriage began?" she asked. "There is no need for that because we put it behind us."

William looked away. He hadn't expected her to be so frank about their situation. He didn't know if wanting to give her everything was linked to his guilt or just a need to provide. Perhaps it was a mixture of both.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable with my question," said Charlotte. "I merely wish to be open and honest with you. We shouldn't hide anything from each other."

William brushed his hands through his hair. He was at a loss with how to respond. Charlotte was so open about everything while he tried to keep things close to his chest. He wasn't accustomed to that. It made him feel vulnerable, but she seemed so ready to reveal her thoughts and feelings. That took much inner strength.

"William? Have I offended you?"

"No!" he immediately replied. "No, you haven't done anything of the sort. I'm just...I'm just at a loss for words. This transparency you have is very new for me." He looked down. "I'm not sure how to address it."

Charlotte grew quiet. When more than a minute had passed, he raised his head to see if something was amiss. She was looking straight ahead and appeared deep in thought. William was probably fumbling terribly, and she needed a moment to think.

"I apologize if I fall short of what you expect from me," he finally said after allowing the silence to stretch longer. "I can only try."

Charlotte turned to him with eyes filled with concern and surprise. "Is that what you think?" she asked. "I'm not upset at you, but your father. He robbed you of an important father-son relationship, he likely didn't provide a good example of a husband, and you've had to deal with his behavior for many years. It's not right."

"Oh," William replied foolishly.

He was too taken aback to think of a more appropriate answer. Charlotte was upset for him, not with him. Her ability to offer understanding did not fail to amaze him.

"We should take everything one step at a time," she said. "I've never been married before, so this is also new for me. However, I know being able to trust each other is important. We agreed to be friends, so we should learn to share our thoughts and feelings when necessary. Do you agree?"

William nodded. "I agree," he said.

Charlotte smiled. "Well then, we have had a very productive day. I'm looking forward to dinner. I'm positively famished. I might have a double helping of everything."

William chuckled. They had gone from a serious topic to something light and amusing. It was astounding how quickly she could shift the mood.

They arrived at the stables and dismounted, feeling stiff and a little sore from spending so much time in the saddle.

"I need to stretch a little," said Charlotte. "I have aches in all sorts of places."

She stretched her arms above her head and bent over to touch her toes. William widened his eyes as his wife unknowingly showed off her supple body to the servants around them. He jumped to attention, glaring at the men until they looked away as he stepped closer to Charlotte.

"Better?" he asked. "Although I think a good soak in the bath will do you some good."

Charlotte straightened and blew a random curl out of her face. The faint blush of her cheeks and the faint sheen of perspiration on her face and chest was the picture of youthful perfection. William swallowed hard. She likely had no notion of how alluring she appeared in her slightly tousled state.

"A good soak sounds wonderful," she said. "Templeton has these wonderful lavender-scented salts that ease the tension and aches right out of you. I'll have her send some to your room."

"That sounds wonderful," he replied. Fortunately, his voice was normal. "We should return to the house if we're to have dinner this evening."

"I don't think I could wait that long without a little something before then," Charlotte said as they fell in step with each other. "A small bowl of strawberries while I soak is precisely what I need." She laughed. "I think I might be sick of strawberries by the end of summer."

William chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised."

He stepped back so she could enter the house ahead of him and found himself leaning forward to inhale her scent. Her perfume was really quite addictive. It wasn't cloying and didn't take on a stale smell after a long day like so many other perfumes.

"I might fall asleep soon after dinner this evening," Charlotte said with a yawn. "There is nothing like a busy day to put you to sleep. I cannot count the number of times I've fallen asleep after dinner with cards in my hand or a cup of something hot."

"I promise not to peek at your hand or allow you to burn yourself," he said, amused by her confession.

Charlotte nodded with mock seriousness. "You are a good man, William. A good man."

"That he is," said an unexpected voice.

William stilled as his step-brother stepped into the hallway with his usual smirk. Henry had said nothing about coming home that day.

"I've been waiting in the parlor for the last hour and a half," he said.

"You didn't say you were coming," William pointed out.

Henry shrugged. "I wanted to surprise you and your lovely wife," he said, running his eyes all over her body. "How are you, dear Charlotte? May I call you Charlotte? We are family, after all."

"Charlotte is fine," she replied.

Henry grinned. "And so is Henry. No need for lord . Shall we move to the parlor to sit and talk like one big happy family? I have barely had a conversation with my lovely sister-in-law."

The look of raw interest in his brother's eyes was unmistakable. William didn't want him anywhere near Charlotte!

"Unfortunately, I need to freshen up for dinner," she said apologetically. "Will you be staying for dinner?"

"I certainly will," Henry replied. "I wouldn't miss it for all the world."

"Then I'll see you in a little while," Charlotte said. "Please excuse me, gentlemen."

William admired his wife as she walked away and disappeared around the corner. He glanced at his brother and found that he was also watching Charlotte with far too much heat in his eyes. His hands were clenched by his sides, but he quickly drew in a deep breath and expelled it slowly. There was no use growing angry over it. Henry would only use it against him.

"Fancy something to drink?" Henry asked.

"I wouldn't mind something quick before dinner," William replied.

They walked in silence and headed to the parlor instead of the drawing room. William figured his brother already had a drink waiting for him in the room. He was right.

"I took the liberty of pouring our father's whisky while I waited," Henry revealed. "I'll pour you a glass."

William nodded as he settled into an armchair. "How long do you intend to stay?" he asked.

Henry grinned. "Already trying to get rid of me?"

"It's just a question," said William. "You're not one to spend much time at home."

"Well, I'm not certain this time," Henry said. "I miss being here, so I wish to spend time with my family. Perhaps Mama can come as well. I'll send word that I'm here. She'll be so happy to have both her sons under one roof again."

William nearly scoffed. Although his stepmother had tried her best, he had never felt like part of the family. His father and Henry had ostracized him and made him feel unworthy in his own home. Henry already knew this, but he liked to pretend otherwise.

Henry finished the rest of his whisky and stood up. "I should get ready for dinner," he said. "I wouldn't want to disrespect your lovely wife by looking disheveled during our meal. I think it's our first dinner together."

He said that as though William wasn't part of his plans. William narrowed his eyes as Henry straightened his waistcoat and whistled his way out of the room. He sensed trouble, which might as well have been his brother's second name.