Chapter 22

Chapter 22

William was doing his best to remain calm. His heart was ready to leap out of his chest, and he could barely concentrate on the play. Charlotte's hand was in his... Charlotte's hand was in his! This evening had been one of taking chances, and he had undoubtedly been rewarded for his courage.

He didn't know what overcame him in the carriage. Feeling Charlotte's soft body when she fell against him ignited something in his blood that wouldn't be satisfied until he took her in his arms. She didn't protest, which led him to take more liberties.

Now, sitting beside her and holding her hands as lovers did, he wanted to announce to the world that this was his wife and there was no other like her. He had seen the envious looks from many men and just as many appreciative glances from men and women. Charlotte wasn't just a physical beauty, which he was quite certain the others had also noticed.

She was radiant from the inside out and seemed to have an air about her that drew people toward her. She just had to walk into a room for everyone to turn to her, as though her very presence demanded their attention. It was a powerful ability, especially in the hands of a woman who didn't understand her natural influence over others.

William turned his focus from the stage to the crowd, narrowing his eyes when he caught several men staring at his wife. Some looked away when they noticed him watching them, but others continued to observe her without shame. Jealousy spouted quick and with lethal measure until it burned like a furnace within him. They didn't have any right to stare at his wife like she was an object.

"I wonder if I could fool many if I wore a man's disguise," Charlotte commented. "It would be amusing."

"You would make a beautiful boy," he replied. "That might attract the wrong attention."

Charlotte turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Worse than being a woman?"

"In some ways, yes," he said.

She pulled her head back in surprise. "How strange, but I believe you if you say it. I know you'd never lie to me."

She smiled and looked away, planting her chin in her hand as she watched the play. Removing her hand from his would make her more comfortable, but she didn't move away. If anything, her hand flexed in his and held him a little more tightly than before. William grinned like a fool, suddenly not caring about the men staring at his wife. Charlotte had chosen him .

The play had a brief break, but William insisted he would get his wife something to drink. He didn't want men to ogle his wife while she waited in line for refreshments. After that, the play went by rather quickly, and they were on their way home nearly two hours later. He expected at least another three hours because actors tended to unnecessarily lengthen Shakespeare's plays, but he was glad to get home and spend the rest of the evening with his wife in the drawing room.

"I didn't mind that play at all," Gregory remarked. "The actors really brought it to life. I think I recognized one of the actresses. I'm quite sure she was that pale-haired baron's courte—"

"Gregory," William interrupted.

He didn't want his friend to talk about courtesans in front of his wife and sister-in-law. They were still young and likely didn't know about such women yet. If it were up to him, Charlotte would never learn that men kept mistresses. William didn't approve of it and would never betray his wife for his ego.

"A baron is courting an actress?" Louise asked.

"That is possible?" Charlotte added.

William glared at his friend, warning him not to speak anything of the affair. "Anything is possible," he replied. "And I suppose it's a courtship of sorts, but it's not something everyone approves of."

"I imagine not," said Charlotte. "Our kind always think we're better than anyone else. What if the person you should be with is not from your social class? Will you be unhappy because you're forced to marry someone else?"

"Love is not the begin all and end all of every relationship," said Gregory. "Other things matter, like money and power. They might not seem important, but I guarantee you that the love of many grows cold when there's no money to put food on the table."

"Then it was never love to begin with," Charlotte argued. "It was just infatuation. Love is enduring and weathers all storms. It isn't influenced by external factors. Love is love because you choose to show someone affection, understanding, patience, forgiveness, and humility whenever these qualities are needed. It's a choice, but it makes it easier if you're with the person you're meant to be with."

The carriage fell silent at her words of wisdom. William had never heard someone explain love so well, making him want to possess it like a dragon obsessively hoarding its treasure.

"You almost make love sound enticing, Your Grace," Gregory said.

Charlotte smiled. "It shouldn't sound enticing but as necessary as the next breath you'll take," she said.

"That sounds impossible," Gregory countered.

"Only if your heart is set on never wanting to find someone to share your life with," said Charlotte. "And that is perfectly fine. No one should be forced to do something they do not want, but losing the opportunity to experience something as wonderful as love would be a shame."

William grinned at his friend. Gregory loved women but didn't want to give his heart to one. Perhaps hearing Charlotte's words would change whatever fears or misconceptions he had. Truthfully, William also never expected to love anyone, but he was almost confident he was falling in love with his wife. Every day was something new to endear her to him, and he couldn't help but feel a delicious warmth whenever he thought about her.

"Do we all agree that the actress who played Rosalind was stunningly beautiful?" asked Louise. "I couldn't pinpoint her age. She appeared ageless. It is every woman's dream to appear ageless."

Charlotte laughed. "Not my dream."

Louise playfully rolled her eyes. "Yes, you just had to be different."

"What do you want?" William asked his wife.

"Freedom," Charlotte replied.

William's heart faltered. "Freedom? What do you mean?"

Worry that she meant she wanted her freedom from him assaulted his mind and brought back many doubts and fears about being unwanted. It was frightening how easily that happened. William worked on himself for years to deaden his heart against emotional pain inflicted by others, but he seemed weak where Charlotte was concerned. His father was the only other person who could affect his mind and heart with all the accuracy of a poisoned arrow.

"I want the freedom of choice," Charlotte explained. "Of knowing that no one will ever force me to do something I do not want to do. There is no such thing as true freedom as long as we have kings, lords, ministers, emperors, and the like with power over us, but without order comes chaos. No one has learned to walk the tightrope between freedom and chaos."

William didn't know if he should feel relieved yet. He didn't think he had forced her to do anything she didn't want to do, but their marriage had been arranged by others. However, she willingly agreed to it.

"You seem to have a lot of wisdom swimming in your head," Gregory said. "You're only nineteen. How is that even possible?"

"I read, listen, and observe often," said Charlotte. "I do not profess to be wise by any standard, but I have my opinions. Some are common sense, and others have been formed after careful consideration. Still, they remain my opinion, so one is welcome to accept or refuse them."

Gregory chuckled and turned to William. "Your wife is perfect for you, old fellow," he said. "Beauty and a mind that thinks—Her Grace knew precisely what she was thinking when she matched you."

William doubted his stepmother had Charlotte's intelligence in mind when she selected her as his wife.

"The decision was not Her Grace's alone," said Charlotte. "My parents also approved of him. I think they believed his calmness and maturity would change my excitable nature."

"Did it?" Gregory asked.

Charlotte chuckled. "You would have to ask my husband," she said.

"I like Charlotte's bubbly nature," William replied before anyone asked him. "My life wouldn't be as interesting without it."

He meant every word. At first, having a wife had been bothersome. Now, William looked forward to his day because of his wife. He didn't know when the change happened but was glad it did.

"Spoken like a good husband," said Gregory.

"Spoken like a happy husband," William corrected.

Charlotte turned to him with a grin. "I'm glad to hear it, dear husband. I'm just as happy."

The steel grips of fear that had tightened around his heart instantly loosened and slithered away as suddenly as it had come. His wife was happy—she didn't resent him for being her husband. She didn't want her freedom from him . William made a secret vow that he would give his wife all the freedom he could possibly muster, but as long as he remained by her side. That was his only condition.

***

William's smile never left his face during their journey home, but their evening took a dramatic turn when they entered the house and encountered Henry walking into the foyer to greet them. Gregory moved closer to William and subtly bumped his shoulder. William glanced at him, glad to see the look of understanding in his friend's eyes. Gregory knew just how troublesome Henry was; if he was suddenly here in London, it could only mean he had come to cause trouble.

"You're finally all home," said Henry. "I was worried I would fall asleep before you arrived."

"Lord Henry," said Gregory in greeting. "Unfortunately, I cannot stay any longer, so I shall bid you all a goodnight."

"You are a busy man, Lord Gregory," Henry replied. "I expect I'll see you again? Or are you in London for only a short while?"

"For as long as possible," Gregory replied.

William was glad his friend had responded first because he was fitting to snap at his brother. That bit of time afforded to him helped him rein in his emotions and remain calm. Henry would enjoy seeing him lose control, so William didn't want to give him that satisfaction.

"I didn't know you were coming to London," he said. "I was under the impression you would stay home."

"Change of plans," Henry replied. "I decided being with my brother and sister-in-law would be far more pleasurable than staying home."

William ran his tongue over his teeth as annoyance washed over him anew. He looked away from his brother for a moment, noticing how his friend lingered with Louise instead of going home. He hoped his friend didn't have designs on the young woman—she was only seventeen.

"We should go inside and have something to drink," Henry suggested. "Or the women can have tea—whichever you prefer."

Henry was already trying to control things like he had a God-given right. William was ready to toss him out of the house, but one didn't do that to family, no matter how much they deserved it.

"Louise and I would like to be excused," Charlotte announced. "We need a little refreshing."

William was both relieved and disappointed. He could talk to his brother alone about his sudden appearance, but the evening he expected with her was undoubtedly ruined.

"Very well," William replied. "Shall I have refreshments sent to your rooms in the meantime?"

"That's unnecessary," said Charlotte. "We'll find the housekeeper along the way."

They curtsied and left the foyer arm in arm, their chatter fading as they got further away.

"Something tells me you're unhappy to see me," said Henry. "I thought you'd think it would be a lovely surprise."

William looked at him with unveiled anger. He no longer needed to hide his reaction to his brother's arrival.

"Surely you jest?" he said. "You were not coming to London, and now you're here without warning. Why? What did you hope to achieve? And do not tell me it was to surprise us. This has something to do with my wife, doesn't it?"

Henry regarded him for a moment and then laughed. "Are you worried about something, dear brother?"

William's hands fisted at his sides. "Do not pretend that I'm imagining this. You're up to no good. I will not allow you to cause problems."

Henry shrugged. "Always so worried," he said. "I think I might retire for the night. I doubt my dear sister-in-law will make her way downstairs for a drink. I'll just see her at breakfast."

"Why you—" William began, taking a step toward his brother.

"What?" said Henry. "What will you do? Are you threatening me?" He laughed. "I bid you a goodnight, dear brother. Hopefully, you'll come to your senses by tomorrow morning."

Henry turned and walked off, still laughing. It was at William's expense—his favorite source of amusement. William let him go but not without a silent promise to himself to ensure his brother did not cause trouble between him and Charlotte. Henry had done many terrible things in the past, but ruining a marriage would never be one of them. William would see to that.